U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the nation’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time. The declaration was made during a ceremony at the Capital One Arena in Washington on January 20, shortly after he was inaugurated as the 47th President.
Trump criticized the Paris accord as “unfair and one-sided,” asserting, “I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off. The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity.” This decision places the U.S. alongside Iran, Libya, and Yemen as the only countries not participating in the 2015 treaty aimed at curbing global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
During his first term, Trump had previously pulled the U.S. out of the agreement in 2017, citing economic concerns. His latest move signals a reversal of President Joe Biden’s climate policies, which focused on reducing emissions and promoting clean energy.
Global reactions have been immediate, with critics warning about the potential consequences for international climate action. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, expressed concern that ignoring climate issues would worsen disasters like droughts and wildfires.
As awareness of climate change grows, this decision comes at a time when 2024 has been confirmed as the warmest year on record, raising concerns about the escalating impacts of climate change across the globe.
