To: President Donald Trump
CC: Vice President Michael Pence
From: Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Brady Gambone
Date: April 24, 2018
Subject: Paris Agreement
Context
For the first time in history, every single country has signed an agreement to reduce carbon emissions, deforestation, and anything else that contributes to climate change in their respective countries; except for the United States. Until the past year, the United States was a member of the Paris agreement. Although there is no legal enforcement of this agreement, it is designed to reduce the speed of climate change, and create a better world. It is imperative that we stay in the Paris agreement to better our country, and set an example for to the rest of the world, that the United States takes climate change as a serious threat.
Task
The United States’ goal should be not only to stay in the Paris Agreement, but to improve the agreement, and help improve developing nations production of renewable energy sources, reduce deforestation, and provide financial and industrial support. As the last super-power on the planet, we hold a responsibility to improve the lives of future generations of not only the United States, but the world. Climate change is a threat, and ignoring it will inevitably weaken the United States, and eventually threaten the lives of our own citizens.
Solution
The United States must stay in the Paris agreement. By leaving we put the safety and security of our own nation at risk. Although we have announced withdrawal, it will not take effect until 2020. There is still ample time to re-join the agreement, joining ever other nation on Earth. (Including North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Nicaragua.) Mr. President; myself, the nation, and the world, implore you to reconsider your decision.
Evidence
Every single country in the world, other than the United States has signed the Paris agreement. By staying out, other countries will perceive the United States as weak on the issue of climate change. The rhetoric coming out of the White House may cause citizens of the United States and the world to begin doubting climate change entirely. However, climate change is real, and is a direct threat to our nation. The reality is that the people of the United States have, and continue to support the Paris Accords. By leaving, we risk losing the trust the people have in our government.
By staying in the agreement, new renewable energy businesses will be established in the United States, creating jobs. Former coal miners and factory workers will have new businesses in need of a multitude of employees.
Failed Solutions
By not re-joining, we put the lives of our own citizens, Republican or Democrat, in danger. Events like Hurricane Katrina, Sandy, or Harvey are likely to increase. Our sea levels are rising, reducing habitable land, destroying wildlife, and the property of good Americans. Without joining the agreement, we leave it to businesses to decide their own energy practices. In a world were profits are prioritized, it is unlikely businesses will simply adopt renewable energy.
Summary
The United States must re-join the Paris agreement. By leaving, we sent a message to the world, the wrong message, that the United States government does not believe in climate change, and is unwilling to join the rest of the world in the only habitable planet we know of. This is not the approach the United States must take to protect our citizens from the threat of climate change. Re-joining the Paris agreement should be a top priority of this administration, to ensure the public’s safety, and re-affirm our commitment to bettering the planet.
Bibliography
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov, 2018