The Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015, is a crucial global effort to combat climate change. The Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The United States was one of the countries that signed on to the Paris Agreement under President Barack Obama`s administration. However, in 2017, President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Agreement, citing concerns about its impact on the American economy.
Despite President Trump`s announcement, the United States did not officially withdraw from the Paris Agreement until November 2020. President-elect Joe Biden has promised to rejoin the Agreement once he takes office in January 2021.
The decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement was widely criticized both domestically and internationally. Many argued that the United States, as one of the world`s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, had a moral obligation to take action to combat climate change.
In addition to withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, the Trump administration rolled back numerous environmental regulations and policies, including the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce emissions from power plants.
The impact of the United States` withdrawal from the Paris Agreement remains to be seen. While the Agreement is non-binding, it provides a framework for global action on climate change and encourages countries to set emissions reduction targets. The United States` absence from the Agreement could hinder international efforts to limit global temperature rise.
However, even without federal action, many states and cities in the United States have taken steps to reduce emissions and combat climate change. For example, California has implemented strict emissions standards for cars, while New York City has committed to reducing emissions from buildings.
In conclusion, while the United States` withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a setback for global efforts to combat climate change, there is still hope for progress at the state and local level. The Biden administration`s commitment to rejoin the Agreement is a positive step, but much work remains to be done to ensure a sustainable future for all.
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