The United States has now officially withdrawn from the climate agreement

If Biden wins the presidential election, global warming can still be reduced to 1.5 or 2 ° C.

Five years ago, nations from all over the world gathered in Paris to talk about climate. This Paris climate summit was considered a reasonable success afterwards. An agreement was launched, signed by at least 186 countries that together account for 96.5 percent of global emissions. The United States also signed the promising agreement. But in 2017, US President Donald Trump released disturbing news: He wanted out.

Pull back
Donald Trump took action. Previously implemented measures to reduce emissions have been reversed. He also announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate agreement when legally possible. In November 2020. That moment is now. Because of the various rules, the resolution did not go into effect until today, one day after the US elections. This means that the United States has now officially withdrawn from the climate agreement.

Paris Climate Agreement
What does the climate agreement say? The signatories promise:
We are trying to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius
– The heating may in no case exceed 2 ° C
We review climate agreements every five years
Together, we spend $ 100 billion annually to help poor countries meet the climate goals

The United States is now the first country in the world to formally withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. “The withdrawal of the world’s largest economy from the agreement will definitely have an impact on global climate change efforts,” said scientist David Day, affiliated with it. Flinders University. However, this should not affect the determination of many countries that have already committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other scholars are also pessimistic about this withdrawal. Scientist Imran Ahmed says: “The official withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate agreement is disappointing.” Australian National University, “Given that the United States is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.”

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But there is hope now. Because if Biden wins the presidential election, the temperature rise can still be limited to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius. The United States could join the agreement in the future, if the president so chose. “Any potential Biden government has already committed to joining the agreement,” says scientist Jonathan Simons of the US State Department. Macquarie University. While there is no winner yet in the US presidential election, Biden has a clear lead at the moment.

Republicans
If Biden becomes the next president of the United States, that does not necessarily mean that the country will pursue ambitious climate plans. “It is likely that the Republicans will retain control of the Senate even after the election,” Simons said. This has major climate impacts. Almost certainly, the Biden government’s ambitious climate plans will have to be negotiated through a Republican-dominated Senate. ”However, this does not necessarily lead to a collision in all respects. Democrats have emphasized massive investments in things like clean infrastructure. Especially wind power, solar energy, and carbon capture and storage). Much of this agenda focused on innovation and infrastructure could have the support of Republicans. Despite all the headwinds, we can see real progress in developing and implementing low carbon infrastructure. ”

Take command
Under Biden, the United States will take the most advanced position on climate change in the nation’s history. As a major polluter, US cooperation in achieving the goals of the Paris climate agreement is urgently needed. However, if Trump enters a second term as president, it will be very difficult to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 or 2 ° C. However, we shouldn’t focus too much on the United States. “The world does not need to look to the United States alone for leadership in this critical global problem,” says environmental epidemiologist and biologist anthropologist Hillary Pamprick. “Instead, it provides an opportunity for the rest of the world to lead the way in reducing emissions and driving the global shift to clean, renewable energy.”

The US withdrawal from the climate agreement is a blow to international morale. But at the same time, we are seeing a shift evident in many other countries. Consumers and businesses around the world are already embracing green initiatives and rolling up their sleeves to stop climate change. If Biden manages to win the election, the United States will likely return to its full commitment to saving the global climate. So it remains interesting until we know who will be allowed to live in the White House in the next four years.

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