Good Riddance, America: How Walking Away from the Paris Accord Hurts Everyone—Especially the U.S. - Author: Jude S. Ngu'Ewodo

Jude S. Ngu'Ewodo is the Author of: Climate Crisis Unmasked: Unraveling the web of Betrayal and Greed available in Amazon and all online stores .

In 2025, history has come full circle. The United States, under its new president, has once again announced its withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord (Here we go again!). The decision, draped in rhetoric about protecting American jobs and sovereignty, lands with a dull thud on a planet already smoldering. The ice caps are melting faster than ever, California wildfires have become an annual multi-billion-dollar catastrophe, and global insurance payouts for climate-related disasters surpassed $300 billion in 2024. Yet here we are, walking away from the one table where the world gathers to address the problem.

The Critics’ Case: Flawed from the Start

The critics’ perspective isn’t new, but it hasn’t aged well. They argue the Accord is a raw deal, shackling the U.S. economy with draconian emission cuts while letting developing countries like China and India off the hook. The refrain goes something like this: America sacrifices jobs, energy independence, and billions of dollars while the rest of the world laughs all the way to the coal mine.

But here’s the thing: they’re wrong, and the numbers prove it.

The Reality of the Paris Accord

The Paris Accord doesn’t force anything—it’s a voluntary framework. Every country sets its own targets (Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs), which are non-binding. The U.S. committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50–52% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. That’s ambitious but achievable, especially given that renewable energy is now cheaper than fossil fuels in most states.

Critics also love to exaggerate costs. The withdrawal announcement comes with vague warnings about saving trillions, but the math doesn’t add up. A 2023 Princeton study estimated that meeting U.S. climate goals under the Accord would cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years—a hefty price tag, sure, but the same study found that failure to act would result in $3.7 trillion in climate-related damages over the same period. This isn’t ideology; it’s arithmetic, and to quote someone: "arithmetic does not lie!!".

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Critics claim the Accord kills jobs. What they don’t say is which jobs. Yes, coal mining jobs have declined, but that trend started decades ago because of automation and cheaper alternatives, not climate agreements. Meanwhile, the renewable energy sector has been a juggernaut. As of 2024, over 4 million Americans work in clean energy—double the number in fossil fuel industries. Solar and wind jobs alone grew by 17% annually between 2020 and 2024, outpacing almost every other sector.

So, what happens when you leave the Paris Accord? You signal to the world that the U.S. isn’t serious about clean energy. That’s like pulling the plug on a booming market just as it’s hitting its stride. In 2024, global investments in renewables reached a record $1.7 trillion, with China and the EU capturing the lion’s share. The U.S.? It’s now third, a title that screams "missed opportunity."

Global Leadership: Gone

Then there’s the soft power angle. When the U.S. rejoined the Paris Accord in 2021, it didn’t just restore credibility—it reclaimed leadership. That leadership mattered. It pushed India to commit to 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and spurred global financial institutions to phase out coal financing. By walking away again, the U.S. surrenders its leverage, ceding the climate narrative to rivals like China, which is now marketing itself as the planet’s green savior.

And what about the developing world? Critics argue that the Paris Accord gives countries like India and China a free pass. But here’s the nuance: China’s emissions targets are aggressive, and it’s already the largest investor in renewable energy. India is electrifying rural areas with solar farms at a pace unmatched in history. These countries are playing the long game because they see the economic writing on the wall.

The Cost of Leaving

Leaving the Paris Accord in 2025 isn’t just bad optics; it’s bad economics. Without global cooperation, climate change will cost the U.S. $2 trillion annually by 2050, according to a 2022 analysis by McKinsey. That includes damages to infrastructure, health costs from pollution, and lost productivity from extreme heat. In contrast, every dollar spent on climate mitigation saves $4–$7 in avoided damages, according to the World Bank.

Even the military knows this. The Pentagon has called climate change a “threat multiplier,” exacerbating conflicts over water, food, and migration. Ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away—it makes the world less stable.

Big Boy Pants

Here’s the irony: the critics' argument that the U.S. is "saving money" by leaving the Accord is the equivalent of skipping car maintenance to save a few bucks, only to end up with a totaled engine. Climate change is the totaled engine.

It’s time for the U.S.—and, frankly, for everyone—to put on their big boy pants. The Paris Accord isn’t perfect, but it’s the best shot we’ve got at coordinated global action. Walking away isn’t just short-sighted; it’s self-defeating.

So, good riddance, America. We’ll pray for you. Meanwhile, the rest of the world is moving on, and Africa, Asia, and Europe are poised to reap the benefits.

Let’s hope that by the time the U.S. realizes its mistake, the rest of the world hasn’t left it too far behind.

Jude S. Ngu'Ewodo is the Author of: Climate Crisis Unmasked: Unraveling the web of Betrayal and Greed available in Amazon and all online stores .

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