After years of negotiations, the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, with the aim of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The United States was one of the signatories to the agreement, but in 2017, then-President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the agreement. However, with the election of President Joe Biden, the U.S. has rejoined the Paris Agreement, and now faces the important task of ratifying it.

Ratification is the process by which a country formally adopts an international treaty as its own. For the Paris Agreement, this involves submitting a ratification document to the United Nations. Once a country has ratified the agreement, it becomes legally binding, and the country is expected to comply with its commitments under the agreement.

The U.S. ratifying the Paris Agreement is significant for several reasons. First and foremost, the U.S. is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. In fact, it is responsible for around 15% of global emissions. By ratifying the agreement and following through on its commitments, the U.S. can make a significant contribution to global efforts to address climate change.

In addition, the U.S. ratifying the Paris Agreement sends an important signal to other countries that the U.S. is committed to addressing climate change. This is particularly important given the current political climate, where many countries are questioning the U.S.`s leadership on the issue.

Of course, ratifying the Paris Agreement is just the first step. The U.S. now needs to follow through on its commitments under the agreement. This includes reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. It also involves supporting developing countries in their efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

While there is still much work to be done, the U.S. ratifying the Paris Agreement is a positive step forward in the fight against climate change. With the U.S. once again at the table, there is hope that global efforts to address this urgent issue will be more effective.