When it comes to global warming, the United States is of two minds. On the one hand, President Biden has made it clear that climate change is one of his top priorities and has pledged to work with world leaders to implement ambitious policies that could reduce its impact. On the other, America’s complex political system means that any ambition to reduce emissions is inevitably met with a host of pushbacks and roadblocks. The American government’s stance on global warming represents a complicated mix of attitudes and in order to fully understand it, a nuanced outlook must be taken.
The US’s position on global warming has shifted drastically since the early 2000s when President George W. Bush pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, an agreement aimed at making reductions to greenhouse gas emissions. During this time, many Republican lawmakers argued that global warming was a myth and sought to minimize its effects. However, rhetoric changed after the Obama administration unveiled a series of initiatives in order to limit America’s contribution to climate change.
President Biden has since reversed many of the decisions taken during the Trump era and his climate agenda is one of the most ambitious seen so far in the US. His proposed $2 trillion plan aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and has the support of several major corporations. In his first major climate speech, Biden declared that “it’s time for bolder and faster action to confront the climate crisis as the existential threat it is”.
Despite these progressive initiatives, the US is still lagging behind many other countries when it comes to tackling climate change. A 2019 report by the World Resources Institute revealed that America has the highest emissions rate among developed nations and is the third-largest contributor of CO2 emissions out of all countries. In the two decades since the Kyoto Protocol, emissions have increased by 5 percent due to a lack of effective policy.
Notably, the US faces a severe lack of will to combat climate change due to deep ideological divides. Many low-income communities are adversely affected by global warming, but plans to reduce emissions will also mean making tough decisions that could hurt lower-income households. Similarly, reaching a consensus on the issue of climate change in Congress is an uphill battle. Even though the majority of voters in all states support climate action, conservatives are working hard to weaken the impact of associated policies.
Finally, it needs to be mentioned that though achieving net-zero emissions will require a lot of effort, the rewards stand to be immense. Taking appropriate steps to reduce our emissions can help billions of people across the world, who are already facing the dangerous consequences of climate change. Step by step, America can lead the world in our shared efforts to slow global warming and protect our future generations.
Overall, the US’s position on global warming is undoubtedly complex and cannot be summarised in a single sentence. Nevertheless, the Biden administration acknowledges the urgent need for action and is ready to take the necessary steps for the benefit of both America and the global community. In order for us to make a real impact, it is up to every individual to play their part and take advantage of the multitude of available resources.
