At the 2016 G-20 summit,TV Series Archives in Hangzhou, China, world leaders united in a common determination to implement the Paris Climate Agreement before the end of the year.
The U.S., led by then-President Barack Obama, was a key player in rounding up support for the agreement. It was difficult to imagine then that the U.S. would ever turn away from this agreement, widely regarded as the world's last, best chance to rein in global warming, that it had worked so hard to forge.
Then President Donald Trump came along.
Fast forward one year later, and the U.S., now under President Donald Trump, has become such a pariah on climate change that leaders of 19 of the 20 largest economies in the world signed onto a climate and energy agenda that demotes the U.S. to a mere footprint -- literally -- on one of its pages.
SEE ALSO: How clean energy is transforming the world, in 5 chartsIn addition, America's major contribution to the climate change portion of the G-20's summary document, known as the G-20 communiqué, was to call for helping countries more easily obtain fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, whose use is causing global warming in the first place.
The G-20 communiqué issued Saturday by all the leaders struck a compromise that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had sought, by declaring that "the Paris Agreement is irreversible" while taking note of Trump's widely criticized June 1 decision to withdraw from the agreement.
The communiqué, which also addresses a host of other contentious issues including trade, reveals the rift that has opened up between the U.S. and the rest of the world when it comes to climate and energy priorities.
Take this language the U.S. inserted into the document: "The United States of America states it will endeavor to work closely with other countries to help them access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently and help deploy renewable and other clean energy sources..."
In other words, let's ship countries more oil and gas to burn, and also some renewable energy too.
Meanwhile, the climate and energy action plan discusses the need to devise plans to make deep cuts to greenhouse gases by the middle of this century, something climate scientists say is necessary in order to avert the worst consequences of global warming, but which the Trump administration is not devoting any time or resources to thinking about.
“The direction of travel toward clean energy is loud and clear. The question remains how quickly the world will surge forward and how far behind the Trump administration will let the United States fall,” said Andrew Steer, president and CEO of the World Resources Institute, in light of the communiqué and the climate and energy action plan.
Leaders of environmental groups praised the heads of the 19 nations that stood up to Trump on climate change.
“The other 19 leaders of the world’s largest economies stood shoulder to shoulder in unified support for the Paris Agreement," said Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune, in a statement.
"Given the choice between following Trump or standing strong for climate action, not a single world leader decided to back him," Brune said. "That’s unprecedented, and it shows how deeply unpopular and misguided Trump’s attack on the Paris Agreement has been, and how much damage it has done to U.S. credibility and standing in the world."
Trump who? Tech giants join massive effort to uphold Paris Agreement
You really should update your VLC Media Player now
Fox News dominated election news
Google Assistant is much smarter than Siri and Alexa
Wordle today: The answer and hints for January 28, 2025
Someone made a really, really cute game based off that 'This is fine' dog
Woman burns 'It' clown doll after it floats into her backyard
Man dancing his heart out instantly becomes the best new meme
NYT Connections hints and answers for December 18: Tips to solve 'Connections' #556.
Obama 'Hope' artist has a brilliant new set of posters for inauguration
Packers vs. Eagles 2025: How to watch NFL online
Don't let your precious Apple Card touch lesser credit cards, warns Apple
Yes, there's a wage gap for Uber and Lyft drivers based on age, gender and race
Do you need a VPN? Quite possibly. Here's why.
Ms. Frizzle spotted at Science Marches across the globe
Fox News dominated election news
23 incredible photos from Disney's 'Star Wars' cruise
Why Instagram should take that viral hoax seriously
In Paris Agreement speech, Trump never acknowledged the reality of global warming
23 incredible photos from Disney's 'Star Wars' cruise
Jake Gyllenhaal, Carey Mulligan to star in Paul Dano's directorial debut 'Wildlife'5 things we know about Snapchat's new Spectacles4 tips to slash unnecessary monthly expensesHands on with Apple's awesome new Portrait camera modeMovie based on Lauren Kate's 'Fallen' has potential to be YA sensationBlac Chyna is selling a tThe Facebook feature fueling the police brutality protests in AmericaDeadly snake keeps it basic this season by hiding in an Ugg bootCan GoPro win over normals with its new cameras and drone?Gennifer Flowers tweets she supports Trump, will accept invitation to debateTerrible partier tried to attack Justin Bieber in a German nightclubNo one, not even the people in the photos, wants this lost wedding albumThe Galaxy Note 2 that caught fire on a plane is just horrible timing for SamsungEd Sheeran pig statue a thing, brings home the bacon for charity auctionThe Backstreet Boys are getting a Vegas residency, so start screamingLil dachshunds racing in costume are just the medicine you needJapanese ad giant admits to overcharging more than 100 clientsMystery cat lover leaves $8,000 in animal shelter donation boxThe Facebook feature fueling the police brutality protests in AmericaMarlins star pitcher José Fernández dies in boating accident at 24 Everything you need to know about Android P 'Destiny 2's newest raid, Spire of Stars, is proving difficult Scientists spotted a plastic bag at the bottom of the Mariana Trench Google tries to burst filter bubbles with redesigned 'News' app Original 'Iron Man' suit goes missing, LAPD investigates Congress released more than 3,000 Russian Facebook ads 9 news and politics podcasts that'll help you make sense of the world 6 meaningful ways you can support all mamas on Mother's Day Uber partners with U.S. Army, NASA to develop flying taxis Party on: 'Bill & Ted 3' is now officially happening Beyoncé re 'Brooklyn 99' Season 6 finds a surprise home with NBC How will the sun die? Review: Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter is all over the roads for a reason Famous investors are running out of insults for Bitcoin Download this: 'Tiny Bubbles' is the puzzle game your weekend needs 'Destiny 2: Warmind' review roundup Disney CEO Bob Iger says there will be more Avengers movies Volvo's electric garbage truck promises to dramatically reduce noise pollution A man spilled a soda in a public toilet and his shame went viral
0.9259s , 10139.1015625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【TV Series Archives】,Pursuit Information Network