The United States faced a flurry of extreme weather conditions in the beginning
of September. From the fires that burned across the country to the tropical storms that ravaged Texas and Florida, there is no denying the connection between the surge in natural disasters and the Earth’s rising temperatures. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump decided to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, an international pact aimed at fighting global warming. With the effects of the damaged environment becoming increasingly prominent, it is in the nation’s best interests to take measures to combat climate change by remaining an active partner in the Paris Climate Agreement.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt told CNN that “to use time and effort to address [climate change] at this point
is very, very insensitive to people in Florida.” What Pruitt failed to realize is that it is very, very insensitive to ignore climate change—especially at a time when ice caps are melting and ocean levels are rising. Data from NASA shows that sea levels have risen 86 millimeters and ocean temperatures 1.5°F since 1993, factors that have exacerbated the effects of hurricane season in the south-east American region. The Paris Climate deal, signed by 195 countries, set a goal to keep temperature growth below 35.6°F. Since its implementation, the projected rate of temperature increase has dropped by 34°F, according to the National Resource Defense Council. Trump, an avid climate change
denier, has claimed that the agreement places a strain on the economy. However, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford have found that if climate change is not slowed, the average global economic production would de-
crease by 23 percent. “Climate change poses a major challenge to U.S. agriculture be-
cause of the critical dependence of the agricultural system on climate,” according to the National Climate Assessment. “It will alter the stability of food supplies and create new food security challenges for the United States.” As the world shifts from nonre-
newable resources to renewable ones, the Paris Climate Agreement opens opportunities for America to enter the clean energy market, stimulating economic growth and creating jobs. While Trump’s withdrawal will not be enacted until November 2020, climate change must be addressed now. The simplest solution would be to remain in the deal. For Trump, the first step is to approach the topic with an open mind. Only then will he be able to understand that climate change is a global issue and work with the states
to create policies to regulate greenhouse gas levels, reduce the amount of fossil fuels
used, and shift the country to renewable energy sources. As the producer of one-fifth of the world’s carbon emissions and the second largest contributor to global warming, the U.S. must take responsibility for its actions. A combination of global efforts through the Paris Climate agreement will improve the U.S. economy and slow down climate change—a feat that would be difficult to accomplish without the support of an international
alliance.