08 Jan 2026
Tired Earth
By The Editorial Board
In a shocking and deeply controversial move, President Donald Trump has announced the United States’ withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a pivotal treaty that serves as the foundation for global cooperation in combating climate change. Alongside this exit, Trump also ordered the US to withdraw from 65 other international organizations, many of which focus on pressing global issues such as environmental protection, peace, health, and human rights. The decision has sparked widespread outrage, with experts denouncing the move as not only harmful to international climate efforts but also a direct contradiction to the global consensus on climate action.
In a shocking and deeply controversial move, President Donald Trump has announced the United States’ withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a pivotal treaty that serves as the foundation for global cooperation in combating climate change. Alongside this exit, Trump also ordered the US to withdraw from 65 other international organizations, many of which focus on pressing global issues such as environmental protection, peace, health, and human rights. The decision has sparked widespread outrage, with experts denouncing the move as not only harmful to international climate efforts but also a direct contradiction to the global consensus on climate action.
The US has long been a signatory to the UNFCCC, a treaty that has been signed by virtually every nation on Earth since its creation 34 years ago. The withdrawal, which also includes the US pulling out of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other UN bodies that tackle global warming, has placed the US in direct opposition to the global fight against the climate crisis. These bodies have been instrumental in producing the scientific consensus on climate change and offering solutions to mitigate its catastrophic effects.
The White House defended the move, claiming that these international bodies were "ineffective" and that their policies conflicted with American economic interests and sovereignty. The administration's reasoning is that such organizations promote "radical climate policies" and push global governance agendas, which, according to the statement, harm the US economy and the American people. Critics, however, argue that these actions expose a clear disregard for global cooperation, scientific research, and the urgent need to act on climate change.
A Global Crisis Ignored: The US's Growing Isolation
Trump’s withdrawal from these climate agreements is not just an act of defiance but a signal of the US’s increasing isolation in the fight against global warming. The UNFCCC and its associated bodies have provided the framework for nearly three decades of collective international effort to curb emissions, protect vulnerable nations, and transition toward a sustainable future. By stepping away from these critical agreements, the US risks undermining years of progress and setting a dangerous precedent for other nations.
This move also poses a significant challenge to global efforts to meet emergency climate targets. With the US stepping away from its commitments, countries that may look to the US as a global leader could be emboldened to scale back their own climate efforts. In addition to jeopardizing international cooperation, Trump’s focus on expanding the oil industry and bolstering domestic fossil fuel production could lead to an unprecedented rise in greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating the climate crisis.
A Dangerous Precedent for Global Climate Action
Trump’s actions are not only a blow to global climate cooperation but also an alarming model for other nations. Withdrawing from international climate treaties could set a dangerous precedent for other countries to abandon their own environmental commitments. In doing so, the global community risks a situation where climate action becomes fragmented, where countries with vested interests in fossil fuels feel justified in ignoring the urgent need for emission reductions. The result would be a catastrophic failure to meet global climate goals, leaving future generations to bear the consequences of short-term political decisions.
In essence, these actions by the United States risk making international climate commitments meaningless. The consequences of such a move are far-reaching and could undo decades of diplomatic progress and environmental protection efforts. As nations grapple with increasingly severe climate impacts, the world needs greater cooperation, not further fragmentation. President Trump's withdrawal, driven by his obsession with oil and economic power, places the world at a tipping point—a tipping point that, if not addressed, will push the planet further toward irreversible damage.
The US’s retreat from global climate treaties is a dangerous example of how short-sighted leadership can exacerbate planetary destruction, weakening our collective resolve to face the climate crisis head-on. It remains to be seen how the rest of the world will respond, but the path forward must prioritize unity, science, and long-term thinking over narrow national interests and economic gain. The planet cannot afford any more delays.
Source : news agencies
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