Trump withdraws U.S. from Paris Climate Agreement again, sparking global concern
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday, January 20th, withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement for the second time, distancing the nation from its closest allies and dealing a blow to global climate efforts.
The move echoes Trump’s 2017 decision to leave the accord, which aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Trump also notified the U.N. of the withdrawal, arguing that the agreement unfairly burdens the U.S. while benefiting other nations.
While Trump claims the U.S. can advance its economic and environmental goals independently, critics warn the withdrawal weakens global climate leadership. Former White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy emphasized that clean energy creates American jobs and lowers energy costs, urging Trump to reconsider.
Despite the U.S. stepping back, other nations have remained committed to the Paris Agreement. Experts fear that a second Trump term could embolden other major polluters like China to slow their own emissions reductions, further undermining global progress.
The withdrawal process takes one year, but the door remains open for future U.S. re-entry. U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell warned that ignoring the clean energy transition would send economic opportunities to global competitors while climate disasters worsen.
Source: Associated Press
