President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. This agreement is vital for global efforts to combat climate change.
Climate change affects everyone, and we need to work together more than ever to tackle this challenge. Countries around the world must push to keep their efforts strong and encourage the U.S. to rejoin in protecting our planet.
This isn’t the first time the U.S. has pulled out of the agreement. Trump did it during his first term, but former President Joe Biden reversed that decision. Now, it marks the second withdrawal from the pact under Trump.
Trump has publicly doubted the reality of global warming, calling it a “hoax,” and has pushed for more oil and natural gas production. This is a clear shift away from Biden’s focus on promoting electric vehicles and clean energy.
Yet, the reality is hard to ignore. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms that human activity is driving global warming. Ignoring this issue doesn’t make it go away.
The U.S. is the second-largest contributor of greenhouse gases, following China. Its role is essential in achieving the goals set forth in the Paris Agreement, particularly in supporting developing nations financially.
Climate change impacts many areas, like food security, health, and even peace. While countries struggle to agree due to differing interests, the need for cooperation has never been clearer.
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997, aimed to cut down greenhouse gas emissions but only targeted developed countries. Emerging economies weren’t held to the same standards, causing frustration among industrialized nations. As a result, the U.S. under President George W. Bush withdrew from the protocol in 2001.
In 2015, after lengthy negotiations, the Paris Agreement was established. This treaty calls on all countries to set their emission reduction targets voluntarily and take steps to achieve them. It shows that despite differing interests, the global community can come together for a common goal.
Last year, the global temperature rose by 1.55 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. This exceeded the Paris Agreement’s aim to keep the rise below 1.5 degrees, at least for that year. It’s crucial to push back against further increases.
Japan’s Environment Minister, Keiichiro Asao, emphasized that the Paris Agreement remains important, even with the U.S. withdrawal. He noted that America’s involvement in climate efforts is key, and Japan will seek ways to cooperate with the U.S.
Countries worldwide are making strides toward clean energy and reducing carbon emissions. Falling behind in green technology could harm a nation’s economy and job market.
After Trump’s first exit from the Paris Agreement, several states, cities, companies, and universities in the U.S. affirmed their commitment to fighting climate change. Hopefully, we will see similar support once more.
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Opinion,Editorial,Asahi Shimbun,Japan,news
