The United States Climate Agreement: What You Need to Know

The United States Climate Agreement, also known as the Paris Agreement, is an international treaty designed to combat climate change. The agreement was signed in December 2015 by 197 countries, including the United States, and went into effect in November 2016.

The goal of the agreement is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is done by having each country set its own emissions reduction targets and regularly reporting on its progress.

The United States was an active participant in the agreement until June 2017, when President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the agreement. The withdrawal process was completed in November 2020, and the United States officially became the only country in the world to withdraw from the agreement.

In response to the United States withdrawal, many states, cities, and businesses in the U.S. have pledged to continue to work towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. As of 2021, over 1,000 U.S. cities, states, and businesses have committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.

The Biden Administration has also taken action to re-enter the Paris Agreement. On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the agreement, and the U.S. officially rejoined on February 19, 2021. The Biden Administration has set an ambitious target of a 50-52% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

The United States Climate Agreement is an important step in the fight against climate change. By working together, countries can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the planet for future generations. While the withdrawal of the United States was a setback, continued efforts by states, cities, and businesses, as well as the re-entry of the U.S. under the Biden Administration, show that there is still hope for progress towards a sustainable future.