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| The Paris Climate Deal: What You Need to Know | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Good evening. | |
| President Trump announced Thursday that he will pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. The decision makes good on a campaign promise and aligns with Mr. Trump’s “America first” message. It is also a major setback for the worldwide effort to combat global warming. | President Trump announced Thursday that he will pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. The decision makes good on a campaign promise and aligns with Mr. Trump’s “America first” message. It is also a major setback for the worldwide effort to combat global warming. |
| What does the decision mean? We have extensive coverage here at The New York Times, but it is a complex issue and you may be wondering where to start. | What does the decision mean? We have extensive coverage here at The New York Times, but it is a complex issue and you may be wondering where to start. |
| In December 2015, nearly every country in the world — 195 in all — agreed to the first global pact aimed at reducing emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases. It was a landmark diplomatic achievement and the pinnacle of President Barack Obama’s environmental agenda. | In December 2015, nearly every country in the world — 195 in all — agreed to the first global pact aimed at reducing emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases. It was a landmark diplomatic achievement and the pinnacle of President Barack Obama’s environmental agenda. |
| Scientific studies show that if the world’s carbon emissions continue unchecked, atmospheric temperatures will continue to rise. The planet won’t just be hotter, but it will also suffer from rising sea levels, more powerful storms, droughts that lead to food shortages and other extreme conditions. | Scientific studies show that if the world’s carbon emissions continue unchecked, atmospheric temperatures will continue to rise. The planet won’t just be hotter, but it will also suffer from rising sea levels, more powerful storms, droughts that lead to food shortages and other extreme conditions. |
| The idea of the Paris climate accord was that every country, rich and poor, would set goals to curb carbon emissions in an effort to avert the worst effects of climate change. | The idea of the Paris climate accord was that every country, rich and poor, would set goals to curb carbon emissions in an effort to avert the worst effects of climate change. |
| • Our climate explainer-in-chief, Brad Plumer, has written a Q. & A. on the Paris accord so you can understand it better. | • Our climate explainer-in-chief, Brad Plumer, has written a Q. & A. on the Paris accord so you can understand it better. |
| • Our article from when the agreement was reached in 2015 is a good overview of the agreement and what’s at stake. | |
| • Need some convincing on global warming? Well, 2016 broke the record for hottest year. As did 2015. As did 2014. | • Need some convincing on global warming? Well, 2016 broke the record for hottest year. As did 2015. As did 2014. |
| The president has called climate change a hoax, and he pledged during the campaign to “cancel” the Paris deal. Few expected him to announce that the United States would remain committed to the pact. | The president has called climate change a hoax, and he pledged during the campaign to “cancel” the Paris deal. Few expected him to announce that the United States would remain committed to the pact. |
| Mr. Trump is now making clear his belief that joint global action on climate change is antagonistic to his “America first” message and could be harmful to the economy. Environmental advocates dispute the argument that the Paris accord would cost jobs. | |
| Under the terms of the agreement, the United States cannot exit until Nov. 4, 2020 — the day after the next presidential election. That could make climate change a future campaign issue. | Under the terms of the agreement, the United States cannot exit until Nov. 4, 2020 — the day after the next presidential election. That could make climate change a future campaign issue. |
| • Our White House reporter Michael D. Shear is tracking the latest developments in our lead story. | • Our White House reporter Michael D. Shear is tracking the latest developments in our lead story. |
| • Mr. Trump had said Wednesday that he was “hearing from a lot of people, both ways” on whether to stay or leave. These were the people trying to sway him. | • Mr. Trump had said Wednesday that he was “hearing from a lot of people, both ways” on whether to stay or leave. These were the people trying to sway him. |
| While Americans make up just over 4 percent of the world’s population, they are responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. China emits more carbon into the atmosphere today, but as our climate reporter Justin Gillis explains, the United States has a long head start on burning coal, oil and natural gas. Some said it was a moral imperative for the United States to stay in the Paris pact. | While Americans make up just over 4 percent of the world’s population, they are responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. China emits more carbon into the atmosphere today, but as our climate reporter Justin Gillis explains, the United States has a long head start on burning coal, oil and natural gas. Some said it was a moral imperative for the United States to stay in the Paris pact. |
| But since Mr. Trump has decided to leave, other countries — especially the poorer ones — could consider doing the same. That could reverse years of hard-won progress on climate change. | But since Mr. Trump has decided to leave, other countries — especially the poorer ones — could consider doing the same. That could reverse years of hard-won progress on climate change. |
| The United States will join Nicaragua and Syria as the only countries that are not a part of the Paris agreement. | The United States will join Nicaragua and Syria as the only countries that are not a part of the Paris agreement. |
| • Here is Justin’s must-read news analysis. | • Here is Justin’s must-read news analysis. |
| • China said Thursday that it was committed to the Paris goals no matter what Mr. Trump did. | • China said Thursday that it was committed to the Paris goals no matter what Mr. Trump did. |
| • Americans themselves overwhelmingly believe that global warming is happening, and that carbon emissions should be scaled back. But there’s a catch. | • Americans themselves overwhelmingly believe that global warming is happening, and that carbon emissions should be scaled back. But there’s a catch. |
| The red line shows what will happen to carbon emissions without the Paris agreement: up, up, up. The United States’ contribution to the emissions goal was substantial. But other countries have pledged to continue their programs with or without American participation. | The red line shows what will happen to carbon emissions without the Paris agreement: up, up, up. The United States’ contribution to the emissions goal was substantial. But other countries have pledged to continue their programs with or without American participation. |
| • This graphic by Jasmine C. Lee and Adam Pearce walks through the possibilities. | • This graphic by Jasmine C. Lee and Adam Pearce walks through the possibilities. |
| • For the ultimate visual experience, be sure to see our recent Antarctica series. | • For the ultimate visual experience, be sure to see our recent Antarctica series. |
| • And if you’re wondering what you can do about climate change on your own, we have a guide. | • And if you’re wondering what you can do about climate change on your own, we have a guide. |