The Missing Nexus: A Historical and Contemporary Position of the United States on Climate Change Action

Abstract

The international system is unstable due to the absence of a global regulating body, but countries are sovereign and independent. Although intergovernmental and multilateral organizations exist, there is no world government to regulate the behaviour of nations. In such an environment, states are highly concerned about their security and domestic interest over the idea of climate justice. However, the United States, with a firm hold on the economy, repeatedly refuses to take a suitable stand, from Kyoto to the Paris Accord, for reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and endlessly demands the developing world’s engagement in climate action. The US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement shocked world leaders and criticized the stand of President Trump’s backpaddling, which setback climate action. It influences global emissions, at least for the time being, forcing developing economies to reduce their standard of emissions extensively. Significantly, how conscious is the United States of climate justice? How fast will the United States come back in acting the jeopardy of climate change? This article reviews the US action, shifting governments’ policy and stands on climate change from Rio Earth Summit 1992 to Glasgow Climate Accord 2021 conditions. The author has taken the 1992 to 2021 period, a blueprint for crucial climate action decided in 1992 led to the formation of UNFCCC, while the United States has re-engaged in the Paris Accord in 2021. Also, it tries to understand the shift across federal governments and the influence of local governments on climate change. Furthermore, it sheds light on the obscure image of the United States on carbon trading and tax subsidies for GHGs.