Chapter 7, Problem 16BS

There is general agreement within the scientific community that Earth is getting warmer because of an intensified greenhouse effect resulting from increased CO₂ emissions from industry, vehicles, and the burning of forests. Global climate change is influencing agriculture, causing polar ice to melt, and altering weather patterns. In response to these threats, 196 parties negotiated the Paris Agreement in 2015. Soon after, 195 members signed an agreement to follow its provisions. However, in June 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the agreement, stating that this withdrawal was meant to help U.S. businesses and workers, especially those in fossil fuel industries. Do you agree with this decision? In what ways might efforts to reduce greenhouse gases hurt the economy? How can those costs be weighed against the costs of global climate change? Would you vote to stay in the Paris Agreement or withdraw from it? Explain.