According to the official page of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement “brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.”
Thus, the main objective of this multinational accord is “to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change. To reach these ambitious goals, appropriate financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity building framework will be put in place.”
In December 2015 the Paris Agreement was adopted by 195 countries, but since his campaign, President Donald Trump considered the possibility of withdrawing the United States from the Agreement, making it a reality today and fulfilling his campaign promise.
Despite Trump's decision, the European Union and China stated last Wednesday that the Paris Agreement will continue, even if the United States was to get out of it. The EU and China will hold a meeting on Thursday and Friday in Brussels with the objective of tackling the uncertainties generated by Trump, especially on climate issues.
Even Elon Musk, founder of Tesla Motors and SpaceX, warned the President that he would leave the presidential councils if the U.S. did not remain in the Agreement.
Trump announced that his decision was due to this agreement being “less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage over the U.S.," and asserted that the U.S.' "withdrawal from the agreement represents a reassertion of America's sovereignty."
However, he also stated that the country was willing to renegotiate the deal, as long as it was fair for American workers and industries.
After the statement, world leaders and relevant figures condemned the action, among them former President Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Elon Musk.
As a response, France, Germany, and Italy reassured the American president that the climate deal could not be renegotiated and encouraged all partners to combat climate change.
In addition, the Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto, expressed his support:
"Mexico asserts its support and commitment to the Paris Agreement to stop global climate change effects," wrote the president on his Twitter account.
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