As the presidential election fast approaches, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, pushed fast forward on the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, a legally binding climate deal. Ki-moon is in a panic over the impact Trump could potentially have on the success of this international treaty. Trump has publicly commented on global warming stating,”It’s a hoax. I mean, it’s a money-making industry, okay? It’s a hoax, a lot of it.” Ki-moon worries if Trump becomes president he will withdraw the U.S. from the agreement. American presence is of great significance given that we are the world’s largest economy and second-largest greenhouse gas polluter. Ki-moon has begun a campaign to ensure the treaty will enter full force before the next American Presidential inauguration, which requires the ratification of at least 55 countries. He has since planned a ceremony at the United Nations for September 21, 2016 to announce completing this goal – he already has 40 countries. The pace at which Ki-moon is pushing this treaty (putting it into force in less than a year) is highly unusual for international agreements. This proves the urgency and fear of the United Nations regarding Trump.
Climate change should be a growing concern of every country, and an American absence from the efforts to fight the dangers of climate change would be detrimental. Mr. Trump’s insistence that global warming is a hoax reminds me of a comment a previous professor of mine made. He said, “98% of the scientific community acknowledges global warming and state human beings are to blame for its alarming rate. If 98 out of 100 doctors suggested you remove a kidney in order to survive, would you listen to the other 2 insisting you were fine? And these two scientists are being paid off by companies who have a vested interest in you thinking you were okay.” Why do citizens listen to politicians instead of scientists when it comes to climate change? I can only hope the next president will be aware of the tremendous burden the U.S. has in this global issue.