The Paris climate agreement is a historic agreement that was adopted on December 12, 2015, by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement was signed by 196 parties, including the United States of America, which has been a key participant in the agreement since its inception.
The United States became part of the Paris climate agreement in September 2016, when President Barack Obama signed the agreement on behalf of the country. The United States’ participation in the agreement was seen as a significant step in tackling climate change, as the country is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world.
However, in June 2017, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, citing concerns over its impact on American jobs and the economy. The decision was met with widespread criticism from environmentalists and other countries that are party to the agreement.
Since then, the United States has continued to be involved in the Paris climate agreement in a limited capacity, with several states and cities taking the lead in implementing climate change policies. In addition, a number of major American corporations have pledged to reduce their carbon emissions and to pursue renewable energy sources.
In recent months, the United States has expressed a renewed interest in the Paris climate agreement, with President-elect Joe Biden announcing that the country will rejoin the agreement upon taking office in January 2021. Biden has also pledged to devote significant resources to combatting climate change, including investing in green infrastructure and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
The United States’ involvement in the Paris climate agreement is crucial to achieving its goals of limiting global warming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With renewed commitment from the incoming administration, the country has the potential to lead the world in tackling climate change and creating a more sustainable future for all.