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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLTICO or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: As Donald Trump's potential return to the White House looms, the global climate community expresses growing concerns about its impact on climate action
• Despite U.S. leaders and diplomats avoiding the topic at UN events, there is no concrete plan to address the challenges posed by a Trump 2.0 presidency
• Most pro-climate leaders are pinning their hopes on a Kamala Harris victory to safeguard climate progress.
🔭 The context: During his first term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, a move that disrupted global climate diplomacy
• With the U.S. being the largest historical polluter and producer of oil and gas, Trump's second term could severely hinder international cooperation on climate change
• Biden's administration, through policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, has worked to restore U.S. leadership in global climate initiatives
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: A second Trump presidency could reverse critical climate actions, causing setbacks in reducing emissions globally
• Without U.S. leadership, efforts to limit global warming to safer levels would face significant obstacles, especially in terms of international climate finance and diplomacy
⏭️ What's next: Global climate advocates are preparing for the upcoming U.S. elections, with hopes resting on Vice President Harris
• If Trump wins, U.S. states, cities, and businesses might need to step up their independent climate efforts, similar to what happened during his first term
💬 One quote: “Winning the election is probably the most important thing for the Democrats,” said Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former environment minister.
📈 One stat: Donald Trump formally began the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement in 2019 in his first term, making the U.S. the only country to exit the accord until it rejoined in 2021 under President Biden
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