The United States Government and the Paris Agreement: What You Need to Know

The Paris Agreement is a global treaty that aims to address the issue of climate change. It was signed by 195 countries, including the United States, in 2015. The agreement sets out a framework for limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with the aim of pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

However, in 2017, the United States Government announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. This decision was not well received by many, both within and outside the United States. But what does the withdrawal actually mean? And what impact will it have on the fight against climate change?

Firstly, it is important to understand that the United States remains a party to the Paris Agreement until the official withdrawal takes effect. Under the rules of the agreement, a party cannot withdraw until three years have passed since the date it joined, and then it must give one year`s notice. This means that the United States will not be able to officially withdraw from the agreement until November 4, 2020, and it will not take effect until November 4, 2021, at the earliest.

Secondly, it is worth noting that the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is largely symbolic. The United States was not meeting its emissions reduction targets under the agreement anyway, so a formal withdrawal will not make a significant difference in terms of emissions reductions. However, it does send a message to other countries that the United States is not committed to taking action on climate change, which could make it more difficult to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Finally, it is important to recognize that many states, cities, and businesses in the United States are still committed to the goals of the Paris Agreement, and are taking action to reduce their emissions and transition to clean energy. In fact, many of these actors have pledged to continue to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, regardless of the federal government`s actions. This means that the United States could still make progress on reducing emissions, even without federal leadership.

In conclusion, while the United States Government`s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is a setback for global efforts to address climate change, it is not a cause for despair. The agreement remains in force, and other countries, states, cities, and businesses are still committed to taking action. It is up to all of us to continue to push for progress on this vital issue.