The United States` Pledge to the Paris Agreement: What You Need to Know
In December 2015, nearly 200 countries came together to sign the Paris Agreement, a global agreement aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The United States was one of those countries, pledging to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. However, in 2017, President Donald Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a move that was met with widespread criticism and protest.
Despite the withdrawal, many state and local governments, as well as businesses and individuals, have continued to honor the US pledge to the Paris Agreement. In fact, many have even gone above and beyond the original pledge, recognizing the importance of taking action to address the global climate crisis.
So, what exactly was the US pledge to the Paris Agreement, and what does it mean for the future?
The pledge called for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the US by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. The US committed to achieving this goal through a variety of measures, including:
– Implementing the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to cut carbon pollution from power plants by 32% by 2030
– Increasing fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks
– Encouraging the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power
While the US has officially withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, many states have taken action to continue to reduce emissions and work towards the original goal. For example, California has set a goal of reducing emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and New York has set a goal of reducing emissions to 85% below 1990 levels by 2050.
In addition, many businesses and individuals have recognized the importance of taking action on climate change and have made their own commitments to reduce emissions. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google have pledged to become carbon neutral or use 100% renewable energy, while individuals have made changes like switching to electric cars or reducing meat consumption.
The bottom line is that while the Trump administration may have pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement, the fight against climate change is far from over. Many individuals and organizations are working towards reducing emissions and fighting for a sustainable future, and the US pledge to the Paris Agreement served as a wake-up call for many to take action. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the US and the global climate, but one thing is clear: the need for action is urgent, and the time to act is now.