Global warming is a serious environmental issue that has raised increasing concern over the past decades. The effects of the phenomenon can be felt worldwide, which demands urgent and comprehensive action from the US to reduce its own emissions and lead global efforts toward a greener and more sustainable path. In response, the US has taken several steps in recent years, from launching emissions reduction initiatives to providing assistance to poorer nations, to mitigate the effects of global warming.
The US has long been at the forefront of efforts to tackle the climate crisis. In 2009, President Obama ratified the 2009 Copenhagen Accord and declared a national goal of reducing carbon emissions by up to 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. To further the country’s emissions targets, three executive actions have since been taken: the Climate Action Plan, the Clean Power Plan and the Fuel Efficiency Standards. The Climate Action Plan is an initiative that sets out a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it focuses on curbing consumption and investing in clean energy, while the Clean Power Plan reduces power plant carbon dioxide emissions. The Fuel Efficiency Standards, meanwhile, establish fuel economy targets for cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles to make the US fleet of vehicles more fuel efficient.
The US is also making considerable contributions towards helping poorer countries adapt to the effects of global warming. For instance, through the Global Climate Change Initiative, the US government provides aid to developing countries to help them address climate-related challenges. Moreover, the US has recently backed the Paris Climate Accord, which aims to cut global emissions and limit global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius by 2100. The US is also investing in renewable energy technology and agricultural initiatives that can help farmers implement water-intensive conservation practices, such as no-till farming.
While the US is indeed making progress on the climate change front, more still needs to be done to address the global crisis. Despite the Clean Power Plan, emissions from coal-fired plants have been rising, and emissions from transportation remain the highest in the US. Furthermore, the Climate Action Plan lacks adequate oversight and implementation mechanisms, while the Fuel Efficiency Standards are not stringent enough to lead to meaningful results.
Given the importance of the issue, the US must take decisive and comprehensive measures to tackle global warming. This entails going beyond merely setting targets and introducing executive orders and instead, carrying out policies with strong enforcement and implementation mechanisms that really reduce emissions and transition to a greener economy. Furthermore, the US should provide further assistance to poorer countries, particularly in the form of capacity building, to help them transition to more sustainable development pathways. No effort should be spared to ensure a habitable future for generations to come.
Is The Us Doing Anything To Prevent Global Warming
