Unit2Sucks;842843234 said:
We stand firm with Syria against the tyranny of science?
Seriously though, this is just Trump throwing another flare up to divert from his numerous scandals while also throwing a bone to his fading base. We aren't going to exit the Paris accord and can't even formally withdraw until after the 2020 election. Trump knew this would be a much bigger story (hence distraction) than announcing we weren't going to do something stupid. I would expect to see more of these types of noisy non-actions in the coming months.
Honestly, can someone explain to me what the Paris Agreement does (other than make some amorphous commitments) and why US departing is so horrible for the world? I honestly don't know. I am as concerned as anyone about global warming and the damage it will do to those who are vulnerable and to our future generation. However, I don't know whether we are beyond the point of no return, whether US being in the treaty would have made a difference, and what difference the Paris Agreement makes to the problem. My brain likes to work in determining the root cause, finding the most direct and efficient way of solving the problem, and not taking actions just on a hope and a prayer. For example, we can all agree that Stage 4 cancer is horrible. Or that even Stage 3 is horrible. That doesn't mean that someone should use their life saving to buy a supposed elixir that may not be a cure.
I am concerned deeply about US abdicating its leadership role and thinking that we can reverse the globalization. I am also concerned about pandering to special interest. But pandering to special interest goes both ways. I am not looking for a philosophical debate but more an enlightenment on why people think that the Paris Agreement was the solution and worth the cost.
