International Relations |
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what’s the ongoing story?
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time. This decision, echoing his 2017 move, has sparked significant international concern as it undermines global efforts to combat climate change. Key Points to Ponder: The Paris Climate Agreement: What does it aim for? Understand the goals of the Paris Agreement, including limiting global warming to below 2°C. Discuss the role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in achieving these goals. Trump’s First Withdrawal (2017): Why did President Trump withdraw the U.S. in 2017? Analyze the economic and political justifications provided for the withdrawal. Biden’s Rejoining and Climate Goals (2021): Examine how President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement and set ambitious climate targets. What progress did the U.S. make during this period? Trump’s Second Withdrawal (2025): What led to the second withdrawal? Analyze Trump’s statement: “I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off.” Global Climate Implications: How will the U.S. withdrawal impact international climate efforts? Examine the role of the U.S. as the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. International Reactions: How did world leaders and organizations respond to this decision? Evaluate the resilience of global climate action in the absence of U.S. participation. Key Takeaways: Paris Climate Agreement: The 2015 agreement was adopted to address global warming and encourage emission reductions through voluntary commitments by countries. Economic Concerns: President Trump reiterated his stance that the agreement imposed unfair economic disadvantages on the U.S., particularly in comparison to nations like China and India. Global Climate Setback: The U.S. withdrawal, expected to take effect within a year, weakens global climate governance and may embolden other nations to dilute their commitments. Impact on Global Warming: Experts warn that the absence of the U.S. could result in higher global temperatures and intensify climate-related disasters. Global Reactions: European Union leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement, emphasizing the need for collective global action. The United Nations’ climate chief noted that while the U.S. withdrawal is a setback, the global energy transition remains unstoppable. Do You Know? U.S. Emissions: The United States is the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter, contributing approximately 14% of global emissions. Global Participation: Apart from the U.S., only Iran, Libya, and Yemen remain outside the Paris Agreement. India’s Role in Climate Action: India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, with ambitious targets for renewable energy and emissions intensity reduction. Economic Impact on India: U.S. withdrawal may shift the dynamics of global climate funding, potentially reducing financial aid to developing countries, including India, for green initiatives. |
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