The U.S. Withdraws from the Paris Agreement

Gabriella Sandoval, Events Liaison and Manager 

The United States initially signed into the Paris Agreement upon its formation in 2016. In 2020, following the dictation of President Trump, it withdrew. Upon the election of President Biden, the U.S. signed back into the treaty again in 2021. However, due to recent political changes, powered by the inauguration of President Trump, serving his second term as the country’s president, the U.S. has once again withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, as of 2025. Trump’s decision to retract the U.S. from the agreement has sparked criticism from environmentalists, scientists, religious organizations, neighboring countries, and the American people. The U.S. is the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide emissions. This means that Trump’s decision to separate the country from the treaty contradicts any form of positive concepts by initiating change.

What is the Paris Agreement? 

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change that was implemented in 2016, aiming to help countries adapt to climate change effects, and provide financial assistance for necessary changes. The primary goal of this treaty is to maintain the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C, and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. These temperatures are above pre-industrial levels. Simply put, the lower the temperature increases, the smaller the effects of climate change can be expected. 

This multilateral treaty serves as a landmark in action addressing the climate change problem. The Paris Agreement is a radical concept that is one of the first initiatives to foster widespread agreement and shared country initiatives. This is done through bringing almost all of the nations together to take effective measures and combat climate change effects. 

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that crossing the 1.5°C line bears risks including: far more severe climate change impacts such as more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves, and rainfall. Moreso, 2024 was the hottest year on record, with a global average temperature above 1.5 °C. 

To stay below a temperature of 1.5 °C, emissions need to be cut by roughly 50% by 2030 according to the United Nations Climate Change. All active countries partaking in the treaty are required to determine, plan, and report transparently on actions taken to progress in climate change mitigation, as well as explanation of adaptive measures and support provided or received. This is to ensure that effective measures are taking place and that they’re making an impact. 

The Importance of the Paris Agreement

The importance of this treaty signifies contribution, consistency, and coordination; but above all, this treaty recognizes the need for deliberate effort from all parties involved to combat disastrous climate change effects. Although climate change action needs to be massively increased to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, the years since its inception have already launched low-carbon solutions and new markets. More and more countries, regions, cities and companies are establishing carbon neutrality targets and zero-carbon solutions which represent 25% of emissions. By 2030, zero-carbon solutions could be competitive throughout all sectors, representing over 70% of global emissions according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

While some may argue that climate change is inevitable due to human evolution, the conduction of further research is necessary to show the impact human life has on the environment. Data collected from various scientific sites such as the United Nations Climate Change Panel conclude that:

• Climate change and its effects could be irreversible by 2030

• Greenhouse gas levels are at an all-time high 

• Humans utilize more of the earth’s resources than it can renew

• This past decade has been recorded as the hottest period in the last 125,000 years

There’s no argument that varying opinions can’t exist, however as inhabitants of our one and only earth, it would make more sense to be alarmed about our current state of climate. Although we may feel powerless at times in regards to how we can assist and care for our earth, the first and most important step is educating yourself on current issues and possible solutions.

Israel Cuts Relations with UNRWA

Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

Israel has officially cut ties with the U.N. agency that assists Palestinian refugees, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,  (UNRWA) the agency that provides help and services for Palestinian refugees. UNRWA has also been helping different organizations to help Gaza. 

Recently, legislation declared UNRWA to be infiltrated by Hamas. However, the supporting evidence seems faulty and UNRWA strongly denied this. UNRWA’s main ways of transport to support Gaza go through Israel. With this choice to cut relations, Gaza will continue to have fewer and fewer resources.

A few key points to understand the situation Gaza and Palestinians are in: 

1. More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed.

2. An estimated 9.17 million Palestinians have been displaced globally.

3. The majority of Palestinian refugees live in impoverished limbo in refugee camps.

4. 93% of the population of Gaza is facing extremely high levels of food insecurity and starvation.

Cutting relations with UNRWA, the only agency attempting to protect and aid Gaza displays a pure refusal on Israel’s part to try to end this war, or at least end the killings, starvation, and mass displacement of Palestinians.

World Wednesday: Violence in Venezuela

Marley Weaver-Gabel, Editor in Chief

            In the past months, violence has spread through Venezuela. Violence is a daily occurrence in the wake of an instable government and a failing economy. Current Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro is attempting to rewrite the constitution and many fear he is seeking a dictatorship. The Supreme Court and the National Assembly are at odds with each other, dividing the country. The Supreme Court chose to side with Maduro and even went so far as to declare decisions made by the National Assembly to be null. This aggressive opposition incited violence, which has continued throughout the streets of Venezuela.

            Not only has the oppression of the opposition that sparks violence, so has the general state of the country’s economy. The inflation rate has skyrocketed and the economy is unstable at best. Venezuela relies on oil as their primary marketable good. Since 2014, the oil prices have been falling, plunging the country into a serious debt. Furthermore, The government is no longer able to pay their subsidies or fund necessary public programs. In particular, the health care system has been hit particularly hard and many people no longer have access to the health care they need.

            Along with lack of cash to pay subsidies and fund programs, the government cannot import as many goods as they could before, spiraling the country into a food shortage. When it stopped becoming profitable for Venezuelans to produce their own food, the government started importing. However, deep in economic crisis, the imports are harder to come by and food is more and more expensive.

            Due to food shortage, many Venezuelans are migrating to Columbia. Immigration services in Colombia report that there are roughly 200,000 Venezuelans currently inside the country. Venezuelan citizens have not received help from the government and cannot get documentation or sustainable jobs. While their living condition in Colombia is vastly improved from Venezuela, they still do not have many opportunities. Venezuelans are thankful for a place to migrate to, but with the rapid influx, Colombia is having difficulty accommodating and funding so many additional civilians. The political and economic instability in Venezuela has leached across the border and this crisis no longer belongs solely to Venezuela. 

Photo Courtesy of AlJazeera