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Paris Climate Agreement Rejoins: What It Means for the Fight Against Climate Change

The United States officially rejoined the Paris Agreement on climate change on February 19, 2021, after former President Donald Trump withdrew the country from the agreement in 2017. The move marked a significant shift in the U.S. stance on global climate action, as the world`s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases seeks to reassert its leadership and commitment to reducing emissions and limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The Paris Agreement, adopted by 195 countries in 2015, aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change, by limiting the increase in global temperature through a collective effort to reduce emissions. The agreement sets a long-term goal of achieving a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century, as well as a series of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that outline each country`s pledge to reduce emissions by a certain percentage or to enhance adaptation to climate impacts.

The U.S. had committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025 under the Obama administration, which helped to shape the Paris Agreement. However, Trump argued that the agreement would harm the U.S. economy and withdrew from it, despite widespread criticism from scientists, activists, and governments. The U.S. officially left the agreement on November 4, 2020, the day after the presidential election.

The rejoining of the Paris Agreement by President Joe Biden on his first day in office was seen as a sign of his administration`s commitment to tackling climate change and restoring U.S. credibility on the global stage. In a statement, Biden said that « climate change poses an existential threat to our environment, our health, our communities, and our economic well-being », and that « the United States is back at the table and ready to meet the climate crisis with American innovation, ingenuity, and the power of our values. »

The U.S. rejoined the Paris Agreement as a non-party observer for 30 days, during which it had to submit an updated NDC that reflects its highest possible ambition. On April 22, 2021, the Earth Day Summit hosted by Biden, the U.S. announced its new NDC, which aims to cut emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. This target is more than twice as ambitious as the previous one and aligns with the scientific consensus that global emissions need to be cut by at least 50% by 2030 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The U.S. also pledged to use its diplomacy and resources to help other countries accelerate their climate goals and enhance their resilience to climate impacts.

The rejoining of the Paris Agreement by the U.S. has received widespread praise from leaders and experts around the world, who see it as a positive step towards a more coordinated and ambitious global response to climate change. However, there are also concerns about whether the U.S. can deliver on its new NDC and address the political and economic challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The U.S. faces opposition from some states and industries that rely on fossil fuels, as well as from other countries that may not share the same level of ambition or trust in the U.S. leadership. The U.S. also needs to demonstrate its willingness and ability to follow through on its promises, as it has reversed its stance on climate action before.

In conclusion, the Paris Climate Agreement rejoin by the U.S. is a significant development in the fight against climate change, as it signals a renewed commitment and leadership on the part of the U.S. to work with other countries and stakeholders to tackle the global challenge of reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts. However, it is also a reminder that the task is far from easy and that there are no guarantees of success. The U.S. and other countries need to continue to ramp up their ambition, enhance their cooperation, and address the systemic and structural barriers that have hindered progress so far. The fate of the Paris Agreement and the planet as a whole rest on their actions.