Well, that was embarrassing.
The U.S. departure from the Paris Agreement furthered the short-term narcism of one person over the long-term survival of the entire world. In an attempt to salvage environmental diplomatic standing, California will join the Agreement, as well as its framework treaty, the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, as one step towards a sustainable environment.
“The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the agreement aims to increase the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change, and at making finance flows consistent with a low GHG emissions and climate-resilient pathway. To reach these ambitious goals, appropriate mobilization and provision of financial resources, a new technology framework and enhanced capacity-building is to be put in place, thus supporting action by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries, in line with their own national objectives. The Agreement also provides for an enhanced transparency framework for action and support.” - U.N.F.C.C.C.
In addition, California is aggressively pursuing an approach far beyond the stipulations of the Paris Agreement, as demonstrated by its Constitutional mandates and Year One Budget allocations.
