The U.S. has officially withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, a global strategy aimed at keeping temperatures from rising too high.
This decision started on President Trump’s first day in office. The withdrawal took a full year to process, but it is now set to take effect on January 27, 2026, according to the United Nations.
This move is mostly symbolic. It shows a larger trend of the U.S. stepping back from serious climate action. Under Trump, the focus shifted more toward fossil fuels, moving away from cleaner energy sources. There have been talks of rolling back important climate policies established in 2009 that recognized climate change as a public threat.
Interestingly, Trump’s initial withdrawal from the Paris Agreement happened during his first term, but President Biden reversed that decision and brought the U.S. back into the fold.
The Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming well below two degrees Celsius, with a more ambitious target of limiting it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This goal is crucial for preventing severe climate impacts.
Currently, the U.S. is also looking to exit a broader climate agreement known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This treaty encourages countries to work together on climate issues.
Climate change is driven by human activities, and it leads to severe weather events. For instance, rising temperatures intensify storms, increase heatwaves, and cause sea levels to rise as glaciers melt. According to a 2022 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climate-related disasters have surged in frequency and intensity over the past few decades, affecting millions worldwide.
Public response to these changes has been growing. Many individuals and organizations are expressing their concerns on social media. A recent survey revealed that about 70% of Americans now believe climate change is a significant threat, compared to just 52% in 2017. This shift shows people’s increasing awareness and urgency about the climate crisis.
As we move forward, the path we choose will significantly impact our planet, its future, and the lives of generations to come.
