The Paris agreement is one of the most important documents of our time. It highlights the potential power of democracy, the burden on the current generations to address a massive issue and the failures of politics. Read on to find out why.
On April 22, 2016, 175 countries signed a historic agreement to address the issues of climate change. It was agreed that the nations who signed would do their best to limit the increase in global average temperatures to well below 2 degrees celsius with 1.5 degrees the agreed aim. As part of the agreement, every country must report to the UN the steps being taken to address the global warming crisis. The signing was a momentous occasion as it was the highest number of countries to ever sign an agreement on the same day. This was a powerful triumph for environmentalists everywhere as it was recognition that a serious problem needed to be solved. It appeared that the world now agreed.
However, since then the picture has not been so bright. In the US the Trump administration has famously withdrawn from the agreement. One of the largest economies in the world turning its back on the Paris agreement was a sad day for those hoping it was the panacea to environmental disaster. Instead, the Trump administration says the agreement is not good for the US economy and wants no part of it. It highlights a key issue with the current political landscape. There are long term issues that require action today that continue to be put off for short term economic gains.
Even with the other countries remaining, as of yet, there have been little to no positive results from the Paris agreement. The agreement is largely filled with aims and no commitments meaning that if no country meets there aims, nothing will be done. This appears to be the case with no research indicating the 2C-degree target being met. Further studies have also shown that the original aims of the Paris agreement are too light. Even if a 1.5C degree rise in temperature is achieved it is still too high and will have terrible repercussions for the world.
The Paris agreement appeared to be a noble step in the face of environmental disaster. However, like so many others it now appears to be a political document with little real-world implications
