In January, as wildfires swept through California, President Donald Trump took a decisive step away from international climate efforts by signing an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. This global pact, created in 2016, aims to keep global warming well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
Research from World Weather Attribution shows that rising carbon emissions are making these wildfires more frequent and severe. This situation underscores the critical need for action on climate change.
The U.S. exiting the agreement raises concerns for neighboring Canada, as both countries are deeply intertwined economically and environmentally. The Paris Agreement allows countries to set their own emission reduction goals, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), but it doesn’t enforce legally binding targets.
This isn’t the first time the U.S. has pulled back from the agreement. Trump had already withdrawn earlier during his first term. In 2020, he claimed the accord didn’t align with American values or economic goals, which led to the immediate end of U.S. participation instead of the typical one-year notice.
As Trump’s administration shifted away from climate commitments, it also rolled back various environmental regulations. One notable reversal was the Federal Buy Clean initiative, which promoted the use of low-emission materials in federal projects. Jana Elbrecht, a policy advisor from Clean Energy Canada, highlighted that this change could slow collaboration on standards that benefit both countries.
The sentiment in Canada may also shift due to the U.S. withdrawal. Claudine Brulé from the Canadian Climate Institute pointed out that while the U.S. actions might lead some Canadians to question their own commitment to climate action, increasing climate-related disasters will likely reinforce the need for societal change.
This year, Canada has already faced significant costs from climate-related events, with insurance claims exceeding $8 billion. Despite the uncertainty from the U.S., many experts remain positive about Canada’s potential to meet its climate goals. Elbrecht believes that economic trends are now driving the transition to renewable energy rather than political promises.
She also noted that other major economies, like China and the EU, are embracing renewable options because they are becoming the cheaper choice. Even with the U.S.’s exit, Brulé stated that global efforts against climate change remain strong. Canada can take a leadership role during this time.
In the U.S., a coalition called the U.S. Climate Alliance, comprising 24 governors, has committed to the Paris Agreement’s targets. This group aims for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, 2030, and beyond.
Experts like Elisabeth Gilmore stress that every little bit counts when tackling climate change. Even slight reductions in temperature can lessen the potential impacts on society.
In Ottawa, the effects of climate change are already showing. The city has experienced extreme weather events, including severe floods and heatwaves. These incidents are likely to become more common, as indicated by a report from the City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission predicting more extreme weather like freezing rain and tornadoes.
Despite the challenges posed by the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, Canada continues to implement various climate actions. Local officials are working on initiatives like penalizing excessive vehicle idling and enhancing public transport to help meet emission reduction targets.
While uncertainty looms due to Trump’s decisions, Canada’s commitment to climate action shows that progress can still be made. “The Paris Agreement survived Trump round one,” Elbrecht said, suggesting it can withstand challenges again.
Check out this related article: Urgent Arctic Study Calls for Bold Climate Action to Avert Devastating Warming Crisis
Source linkClimatee Change,environment,Paris Agreement,Trump
