In early 2025, countries around the world will reach a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change, as they update their national climate action plans—ten years after the historic Paris Agreement was signed. For the United States, however, this moment will arrive sooner, as Americans head to the polls in 2024, electing a leader whose stance on climate will resonate globally.
If the US fails to meet its commitments under a leadership that downplays climate urgency, it could significantly hinder worldwide efforts to curb climate change. This isn’t a call for America to play global hero but rather an appeal to tackle the considerable ecological footprint it has left on the planet—and continues to leave.
What’s Really at Stake?
The latest United Nations report on greenhouse gas emissions highlights the looming risks: climate change will have “debilitating impacts on people, the planet, and the economy.” Although nearly every country on Earth has ratified the Paris climate agreement, only a few remain disengaged—like Iran, Libya, and Yemen. The US, however, holds a unique role in this effort, given its historical status as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and its current position as the second-largest climate polluter.
Despite substantial investments in renewable energy, the US still maintains a dominant role in fossil fuel production. Even under the Biden administration’s clean energy push, the country remains a major oil and gas producer, leading some to view its environmental commitments as conflicting with its actions. It’s the proverbial “wolf in sheep’s clothing” of climate summits, agreeing to progress while heavily investing in fossil fuels.
The Rising Temperatures and Alarming Consequences
Since the Industrial Revolution, global average temperatures have risen by about 1.2 degrees Celsius. This increase may sound modest, but its effects are far from mild—exacerbating wildfires, heatwaves, droughts, and storms. These are more than environmental challenges; they’re societal issues with escalating human and financial costs.
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Combating climate change is a self-preservation strategy, not just an altruistic venture. Recent events underscore this fact, such as the devastation from Hurricane Helene, which caused over 220 fatalities and demolished entire communities in the southeastern United States. Soaring sea temperatures, intensified by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, made the hurricane 200 to 500 times more likely, a telling consequence of our environmental choices.
Paris Agreement Goals: A Race Against Time
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to around 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the UN’s recent report suggests the world might be on a much harsher trajectory, potentially warming by 2.6 degrees Celsius if countries don’t step up their climate commitments. The report, aptly titled “No More Hot Air … Please!” paints a stark picture: without more ambitious national action plans, the future holds “catastrophic global warming.”
But there is hope, albeit fleeting. To keep the 1.5-degree goal within reach, global emissions need to drop by 42 percent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. This ambitious target will require a significant course correction, as emissions have continued to increase by 1.3 percent annually.
Solutions: Affordable Clean Energy and Policy Support
The technology needed to transition to cleaner energy is not only available but, in many cases, cost-effective. For instance, solar and onshore wind energy are already more affordable than fossil fuels in many parts of the world. The UN report encourages further adoption of energy-efficient solutions and electrification of homes and buildings to reduce fossil fuel dependency.
But while technology offers solutions, policymakers and voters remain divided. While many Americans are increasingly aware of climate issues, political forces, particularly within the Republican platform, advocate for expanding fossil fuel production. The phrase “DRILL, BABY, DRILL” remains a rallying cry, signaling a commitment to fossil fuels over renewable energy. Former President Donald Trump, who removed the US from the Paris Agreement in 2017, has indicated he would do so again if re-elected, presenting a possible setback for global climate initiatives.
The Global Repercussions of US Climate Policy
The impact of US elections extends far beyond its borders. When Trump won in 2016, the climate community felt an immediate chill. During a UN climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, shortly after Trump’s victory, Geoffrey Kamese, a senior officer at Friends of the Earth Africa, expressed the gravity of the situation. “Today, many Africans have woken up horrified that we have a man in the White House who does not even accept that climate change is real – a president who has promised to back more fossil fuels and has promised to pull out of the Paris Agreement,” Kamese said at the time. “The people in this continent will pay with their lives for the results of the US elections.”
With the US as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, its choices impact regions far beyond its own borders, especially in nations already vulnerable to climate change. According to the recent UN report, G20 countries—excluding the African Union—accounted for 77 percent of 2023’s global greenhouse gas emissions. This means many countries most susceptible to climate threats are bearing the brunt of a problem largely created by wealthier, high-emission nations.
Keeping Global Climate Goals Alive
The next few years are critical. While the 2025 deadline for updated climate action plans looms, much depends on whether the US will rise to the occasion or set back the progress made thus far. As one of the world’s largest emitters, US policies can either bolster or undermine global efforts.
Transitioning away from fossil fuels won’t be easy, but the shift is essential to prevent catastrophic global warming. The world is looking to the US not for leadership but for accountability and action. As the 2024 US election approaches, the choices Americans make will determine not just national, but global, climate outcomes.
In the end, the race to meet climate goals will depend on unified, consistent action from all nations. The US holds a powerful position and can influence the world’s trajectory—one way or another. Whether it chooses to take meaningful climate action or let politics obstruct progress, the consequences will ripple globally, influencing the fate of future generations.
Conclusion: A Choice That Matters Globally
The future of the planet hinges not only on technological advancements but on policy decisions that prioritize climate stability over short-term gains. For the world to meet its climate goals, each country, particularly influential ones like the US, must take significant steps to reduce emissions. For Americans, the choice is clear: vote for leadership that values sustainable, long-term climate solutions.
As we near the 2024 election and the 2025 deadline, every decision counts. The world is watching the US, hoping for decisive climate action that will contribute positively to global climate goals.
