Today, the Paris Agreement — a historic international climate treaty signed by 194 nations committing to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions — turns five. Ahead of COP26 next November, Earthjustice is calling on President-elect Biden to rejoin the Agreement and set ambitious targets to reduce carbon pollution. 

The following is a statement from Earthjustice Staff Attorney Erika Rosenthal:

“We mark the five year anniversary of the Paris Agreement at the beginning of a decisive decade to avert the worst impacts of climate change. Now is the time to double down on our commitments and take bold and equitable climate action. 

“The climate emergency is here, with devastating impacts in countries all over the world. This year is on track to be one of the three warmest years on record, and has seen unprecedented fires from the Amazon to the American west to the Arctic. As the largest cumulative emitter of greenhouse gases, the U.S. has the responsibility to lead the way in the fight against climate change.

“President-elect Biden has already committed to rejoining the Paris Agreement — and he can do that on his first day in office. Scientists tell us that there is still time to achieve the goals set in the Paris Agreement. But we must act quickly to move towards a pollution-free, 100% clean energy future. As one of the largest polluters, the U.S. holds a lion’s share of the responsibility — especially towards vulnerable communities and countries that contribute little to the climate crisis, but bear the brunt of its impacts. 

“The Biden administration can rebuild U.S. leadership on climate and help fulfill the promise of the Paris Agreement by reversing environmental rollbacks, accelerating the clean energy transition, and setting strong national targets to reduce our emissions.”