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US formally exits Paris pact aiming to curb climate change

Posted at 11:08 AM, Nov 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-04 14:08:21-05

BERLIN (AP) — The United States has formally left the Paris Agreement, a global pact forged five years ago to avert the threat of catastrophic climate change.

Wednesday's move was long threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump and triggered by his administration a year ago.

It further isolates the United States in the world but has no immediate impact on international efforts to curb global warming.

There are 189 countries remain committed to the 2015 accord, which aims to keep the increase in average temperatures worldwide “well below” 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

Scientists say that any rise beyond 2 degrees Celsius could have a devastating impact on large parts of the world, raising sea levels, stoking tropical storms and worsening droughts and floods.