U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Agreement Unable to Check Global Climate Action

The recent devastating wildfires in California offer a stark and tragic illustration of the escalating climate crisis. These fires, which have tragically claimed lives and displaced thousands, are among the most destructive in U.S. history. They have left behind heartbreaking images of destroyed homes and shattered lives. This disaster is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a rapidly warming planet, demanding urgent global attention and action. Each fire may be caused by electric failures, human errors and even criminal intent. But the likelihood is drastically amplified by global warming.

The fires were fueled by a dangerous combination of factors: unusually wet conditions in 2023 led to abundant vegetation growth, followed by an unprecedented drought in 2024. Amplified by heavy winds, it created the perfect storm of widespread and intense fires. This pattern of extreme weather swings—from floods to droughts—is a hallmark of a changing climate, exacerbating the risk of such disasters.

This pattern is not unique to California. Recent years have seen a surge in devastating wildfires globally. The 2023 bush fires in Australia, the largest in over a decade, ravaged millions of hectares of land. In the same year, the EU experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons on record. Data confirms this alarming trend: forest fires are now burning twice as much tree cover as they did two decades ago. Beyond wildfires, droughts and floods further underscore the global nature of the climate crisis and the urgent need for a unified response. China has experienced floods in Henan, drought in Sichuan and more in the past year.

It’s of course deeply offensive to the world that in the midst of the California horror, President Trump decided to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. This means that the nation most responsible for the climate crisis is now telling the rest of the world to clean up the mess it played a central role in creating. The U.S. has emitted roughly eight times per capita as much as China and twenty-five times as much as India in historical emissions. The gap is even bigger if we compare it to Africa or small island developing states.

However, China, India, Europe and others are combating climate change not to please Washington, but in our own interest. We will provide the necessary leadership as we understand floods, droughts, extreme heat and wildfires are major threats to us. Added to this, our nations see climate action as an opportunity for green growth, cheaper energy and better lives.

In the end, the biggest losers from Trump’s policy will be the people of the United States who will not only experience more climate effects like the wildfires in California, but also miss out on economic opportunities and the jobs created in solar and wind energy, electric cars and batteries and more. The U.S. will be the loser both in economic and ecological terms.

Fortunately, there are also significant forces in the U.S. that will fight to keep up the momentum of climate action. Powerful states like California and New York will act. Even oil companies regretted the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement because they believed it is not good for their long-term business. Detroit has advised not to stop policies promoting electric cars. It’s hard to think American businesses will be happy to hand over all green markets to China and other competitors.

The businessman and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg has offered to cover U.S. expenses for climate talks. Talks in Belem, Brazil this year and in 2026, maybe in the Pacific, will go on even if the U.S. isolates itself. It’s hard to think other major countries will follow the U.S.

More importantly, the effects of the withdrawal will be less severe than many expect because renewables are now the cheapest energy everywhere in the world. Turning from coal to solar was a huge cost ten years ago, but now it’s an economic win. Solar prices have fallen by 90 percent, and wind prices are nearly as low. The drivers for renewables don’t depend on Washington, but on markets. The new world is created by Tongwei, LONGi and all the other (mainly Chinese) companies driving the solar revolution, not by climate talks. The green transformation can be slowed somewhat by political decisions, but it cannot be reversed.

The growing global momentum towards climate action can not be stopped by Washington. This momentum is particularly strong in Asia, and China is an indispensable nation in the green transformation. The new figures from 2024 are astonishing. China added 277 gigawatts of solar power in this one year alone. That is double as much as the accumulative capacity of the second nation, the U.S. China accounts for 60 percent or more of all green investments globally – solar, wind, hydro, electric cars and batteries, metros and high-speed rail. China is the world’s largest tree planter and is leading in nature conservation. China has taken on board President Xi’s dictum that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”.

India is also making significant strides, with large-scale green initiatives like equipping ten million homes with rooftop solar. Prime Minister Modi sees green development as a way to uplift his people and is launching green missions day by day. The state of Gujarat will build 100 gigawatts of renewables by 2030, which is massive.

Indonesia has recently approached zero deforestation, and Vietnam is making efforts in renewable energy. The real center of climate action isn’t America—it’s Asia.

The California wildfires serve as a powerful wake-up call. We cannot afford to wait until the devastating consequences of climate change arrive at our doorsteps. The need for global cooperation and decisive climate action is more urgent than ever. While the challenges are significant, the growing global momentum, especially in Asia, offers a beacon of hope. We must seize this opportunity to build a more resilient and sustainable world for future generations.

The author is the co-chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The article reflects the author’s opinions, and not necessarily the views of China Focus.