Categories: USA

United States Officially Exits Paris Climate Accord

United States becomes the first country to officially leave the Paris climate accord Wednesday. The historic agreement was aimed to protect the planet from the worsening climate crisis. However, US could quickly rejoin the agreement depending upon the presidential election’s result.

Democratic candidate Joe Biden had pleaded to reverse President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon the accord which was ratified by 189 countries. 2020 has seen record-breaking wildfires, hurricanes, etc. US becomes the only country to formally pull out of the deal since it was adopted in 2015. As per the rules of the agreement, a country cannot officially leave for one full year after notifying the UN of its intent to withdraw.

On November 4, 2019, US sent notice of its intent to leave. A US State Department spokesperson said Wednesday, “The United States notified the United Nations of its withdrawal one year ago, on November 4, 2019. Per the terms of the Agreement, that withdrawal takes effect exactly one year after delivery of notification. Today — November 4, 2020 — the United States is no longer a Party to the Paris Agreement.”

Trump first announced plans to leave the accord more than three years ago. His administration has also shown little to fight the global climate fight. However, US could rejoin the agreement. The outcome of the election will determine US’s decision. Trump hasn’t shown any indication of rejoining the agreement if he gets re-elected.

Joe Biden has vowed to reenter the agreement if he becomes the US President. He has also promised a $2 trillion climate plan calls for the US to reach 100% clean electricity generation by 2035. If Biden gets elected, his inauguration will be on January 20. He could submit a notice to the United Nations and just 30 days later, the US would officially be back in.

Adyson Sipes

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Chicago Cuts Divvy Membership Costs, Expands Access

Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Lyft have announced a set of improvements to the Divvy…

3 days ago

Chicago Shooting Leaves 4 Dead, 18 Wounded at Event

What began as a lively evening in a bustling Chicago neighborhood known for its restaurants andnightlife turned into chaos late…

3 days ago

Feds Urge States to Remove Political Symbols From Roads

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has urged all 50 state governors, along with the governors of Puerto Rico and the…

4 days ago

Chicago Sky Partners With Moonshot to Tackle Online Abuse

The Chicago Sky has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Moonshot, a company specializing in countering digital threats using technologies developed…

4 days ago

Chicago Fire FC II Earns MLS NEXT Pro Honors Again

Chicago Fire FC II has been named the MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 16, following strong performances that extended…

4 days ago

Record July 4 Travel Expected Across U.S. in 2025

This Fourth of July holiday is set to be the busiest on record, with an estimated 72.2 million Americans expected…

4 days ago