The Paris Climate Agreement: An Uncertain Legacy Amid a Changing World
The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, marked a historic turning point in global efforts to combat climate change. Adopted by 196 parties, the accord set ambitious goals to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This commitment aimed to reduce the devastating impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. However, these promises are being tested under the second Trump administration, bringing renewed scrutiny and debate over America’s role in global climate action.
This Paris Climate Agreement was established at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris, France, symbolizing a unified global effort to combat warming global temperatures. A key feature of the accord is the commitment of major emitting countries to decrease their pollution rates based on their economic and social circumstances. The agreement also includes efforts from first-world nations to provide funding for third-world countries to adapt to renewable energy. As of this year, 195 United Nations (UN) countries, including major emitters such as China and India, have formally ratified the Paris Agreement.
On January 20, 2025, newly-elected President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, marking the second such action during his administration. This decision positioned the U.S. as one of only four countries not participating in the agreement, alongside Iran, Libya, and Yemen. The withdrawal raised significant concerns about the future of international climate efforts, given that the U.S. is one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases. Since 1990, the United States has increased its emissions by 56.6%. Environmental advocates argued that America’s exit could undermine global momentum to combat climate change, accelerate the severe effects of worldwide temperature rise like Arctic ice thaws and species loss, and delay critical action to mitigate climate change.
President Trump and his administration insisted that the agreement would “steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people.” They maintained that the Paris Agreement “imposed unfair economic burdens on the U.S.”
Since its inception, the Paris Agreement has played a pivotal role in uniting countries to address climate change. Data suggests that the accord has already yielded tangible benefits for the American people. In 2015, scientists from Climate Action Tracker projected that global temperatures were on track to rise to approximately 3.6 degrees Celsius. More recent assessments indicate that this trajectory has shifted to 2.7 degrees Celsius, still above the Paris Agreement’s target but a clear sign of progress. These findings suggest that the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement may have been premature, potentially undermining further advancements in emissions reduction.
Beyond environmental concerns, the decision to exit the Paris Agreement has raised fears that it could set a precedent for other key nations to follow. However, international leaders have strongly condemned the actions of America’s leaders. In response to President Trump’s announcement officials from the European Union, Canada, and China reaffirmed their commitment to the accord. Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s minister of environment and climate change, remarked, “The Paris Agreement is bigger than one country…It is ironic that the president would do that when California is going through the worst forest fire season in its history.”
Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement marks a setback in the global fight against climate change and weakens America’s standing as a leader in the green economy. While President Trump has prioritized fossil fuels such as oil and gas, renewable energy — particularly solar power — represents a growing source of new manufacturing jobs. Jennifer Granholm, energy secretary from the Biden administration recently stated, “Mr. Trump seems poised to roll back the very incentives that are reviving American manufacturing.” Meanwhile, countries like China invest heavily in renewable energy infrastructure, positioning themselves at the forefront of a trillion-dollar industry.
President Trump recently signed the Unleashing American Energy Executive Order, which disbanded the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases (IWG). Established by President Obama in 2009, the IWG was designed to determine the long-term social and economic costs of greenhouse gas emissions, guiding regulatory policies to reduce environmental harm. Without these projections, many species and citizens are put at risk.
The decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has consequences beyond environmental harm to Earth’s inhabitants. Many officials agree that the accord is only a first step, not a long-term solution. While the agreement has setbacks, its impact on reducing global warming is undeniable. Without the U.S. present in the accord, the legislation loses a nation with great influence. Climate change remains a pressing threat, and the international community will push forward with or without America’s involvement. Even though the accord provides a platform for nations to collaborate and work together to combat the issue of rising temperatures, only time will tell if our world leaders are successful in their fight.