Leaving the Paris Agreement: What This Means for the Future of the US
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Politics and Activism

Leaving the Paris Agreement: What This Means for the Future of the US

The Single Biggest Loser in the Decision to Leave is the United States

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Leaving the Paris Agreement: What This Means for the Future of the US

Earlier last week, Donald Trump announced that the United States would be pulling out of the Paris Agreement. His logic was based on a flawed costs/benefits approach to the impacts of investing into renewable energy and the costs associated with such a change. In essence, the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement only hurts the United States and the rest of the world while leaving other business and economic sectors to falter.

First and foremost, the decision to leave the Paris Agreement stemmed from Trump's logic that the Agreement would cost roughly $3 trillion in order to maintain and that it would cost the US a significant number of jobs that could have gone to the coal industry. This logic is completely flawed simply because Trump's economic estimates do not factor in the benefits and long-term gains a shift in renewable energy would provide. Renewable energy has quickly become one of the most lucrative long-term investments in recent years as a direct result of decreased costs in the sector. As with any economic industry as technology increases, costs go down and newer and more efficient methods of production are generated. Trump's numbers are largely exaggerated. If anything, a shift to renewable energy would create significantly more jobs as the renewable energy sector is developed further. In addition, the renewable energy sector draws a lot of support and production from other sectors as well in the form of input costs. Further developing this sector creates critical supply chains that further generate economic growth and competition between various sectors.

Second, the United States is put at a disadvantage globally when it comes to negotiations and economic partnerships with other countries. Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement removes the US politically from any renewable energy negotiations or climate reduction talks. The rest of the world and many of the US' key trading partners and allies are actively engaging in taking steps and measures to reduce the impact of climate change. With the US withdrawing, the world will rally behind key players such as France and Germany in promoting a decent global shift to renewable energy. This creates a large global industry that the uS government will shy away from, reducing economic growth, production and economic integration with other nations. Even North Korea is a signatory to the Paris Agreement. Donald Trump is sending a message that Kim Jong Un cares more about climate change than he does.

Third, in terms of domestic business, the US suffers significantly from a President that does not take into account the desires and intent of the economic and business sector he claims to represent. A majority of American businesses advocated and lobbied for the US to remain in the Paris Agreement. Even the coal and fossil fuel industry rallied behind remaining in the Paris Agreement because staying in the agreement would allow the coal and fossil fuel industry to remain relevant while shifting to cleaner forms of energy. Now that the US has withdrawn, coal and fossil fuel industries will be scrutinized harder on a global scale as wind and solar become more competitive.

Finally, it should be said that the decision to leave the Paris Agreement will not go into effect for another three years. Legally and internationally, the United States cannot officially leave the Paris Agreement for a period of three years after announcing this. This means that for most of Donald Trump's presidency, the US will continue to be a part of the Agreement. However, Trump will do his best to undermine the efforts of the Agreement, further isolating and harming the US in an international role.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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