Nada Farhoud, the environment editor at the Daily Mirror, is a distinguished journalist with accolades such as being named environment reporter of the year twice at the Society of Editors’ Press Awards and winning the prize for science writing at the British Journalism Awards.
In a swift move at the beginning of his second term, President Trump decided to withdraw the US from the largest global effort to combat climate change, which came as no shock but was certainly disappointing. President Trump has been vocal about his skepticism towards climate change, labeling it as a major scam while focusing on expanding oil and gas drilling activities, even in sensitive areas like the Arctic, during his tenure in the White House. By exiting the Paris climate accord, which he criticized as unfair, President Trump signaled the US’s intention to disengage from what he perceived as a biased agreement.
Although the withdrawal process will take a year to complete, positioning the US alongside only three other nations outside the pact, the move signifies a broader strategy to roll back climate regulations and bolster fossil fuel production. This decision is a reversal of the actions taken by President Biden upon assuming office in 2021, who promptly reinstated the US into the Paris Agreement.
Despite the non-binding nature of the Paris Climate Agreement, its significance lies in the collective effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to sustainable energy sources. The upcoming deadline for countries to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is crucial in outlining specific plans to reduce emissions.
The US’s departure from the agreement amplifies the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, which poses severe threats to human rights worldwide, including food insecurity, displacement, poverty, and homelessness. The impact of extreme weather events, such as wildfires in California and severe flooding in the UK, underscores the immediate need for climate action.
As a major emitter of carbon dioxide, the US holds a significant responsibility to lead the transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate its environmental impact. President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement not only neglects this responsibility but also sets a concerning precedent for other global leaders.
While the US’s withdrawal is a setback, global commitment to the Paris Agreement remains resolute. It is essential for countries like the UK to step up and fill the void in climate leadership left by the US to ensure a sustainable and secure future for the planet.