If you’ve followed me since I was a contributor writer here at The Oakland Post, then you know I’ve previously reported about the U.S. leaving the Paris Climate Accord. If you haven’t read that mediocre article, here’s the link. 

Back in 2019, it was notified that President Trump was acting on his plan from 2017 of leaving this agreement —  because we all know how he feels about climate change. 

The Paris Climate Accord is an agreement that was adopted in 2015 by almost every nation to try to stop or reduce the effects of climate change. The stated aim was to keep global average temperatures from increasing by more than two degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels by the end of this century. 

The U.S. pledged that they would cut the emission of greenhouse gasses by 26-28%. 

In the midst of all things election, the U.S. officially left on Nov. 4, a year after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo filed paperwork to do so. It was the earliest possible day, under United Nations rules, that a country could begin the final withdrawal process, and it automatically finalized a year later. 

What this means now is that the presidential administration, whatever and whoever that may be, will no longer be working toward reducing the effects of climate change. Joe Biden, president-elect, promised that he’ll rejoin the accord.

President Trump’s opinion on the accord is that it takes away jobs and has given no indication he’d rejoin if he was elected for a second term. The U.S. is the only country that has left the accord…ever.

You may be wondering, “Autumn, have your thoughts changed since a year ago?” I’m happy to say that nothing about my thoughts have changed within the last year. 

I still think that this is a grave mistake, and we have a lot of catching up to do. Since Trump got into office, there’s been little to no official actions taken to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases used. 

Not everyone believes in science for whatever reason, but if most of the country and elected officials are saying to do something, you should probably do it, just like with masks (please wear them, I want to go back on campus). Especially if you’re president — you don’t serve yourself, you serve the people. 

Speaking of COVID-19, since this pandemic began, the carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) have dropped, according to CarbonBrief.org. It is predicted that the levels will rapidly increase, unless a response to COVID-19 can also reduce emissions to almost none. 

With this and the possibility of rejoining the agreement because of Biden, these could create the break that this world — literally — needs.  

This notion gives me hope, and I’m not an optimistic person at all. My feelings are very out of pocket. I will leave you with one thing, science shouldn’t be this controversial topic, when it’s trying to save the world and make it healthier.