Climate Crisis Demands Accountability

"Youth are the pillars of our future." This slogan rings loud and clear across the political spectrum. But what happens when senior leaders, who claim to care about these pillars, make decisions that undermine their future?

On January 20, 2025, newly elected US President Donald Trump signed about 25 executive orders. Among these was the controversial decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The agreement is a crucial framework for shaping the future of human life on this planet. It was carefully designed by world leaders to safeguard the well-being of future generations—the same "pillars" politicians often claim to protect. The goal of the agreement is simple: to ensure that today's youth can live their lives as well as, if not better than, the current generation.

The Paris Agreement, adopted at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in 2015, is a landmark international treaty. Its primary aim is to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to cap it at 1.5°C. The agreement also commits developed nations to mobilise at least $100 billion annually by 2020 to support climate action in developing countries—though this obligation remains unmet. Ultimately, the Paris Agreement aims to prevent climate-induced disasters, including floods and droughts, which could cost half a million lives.

As one of the world's most developed nations, the United States holds a significant responsibility in combating climate change. It is the second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide globally, contributing 12.6 per cent of total emissions, behind only China. By withdrawing from the agreement, the US shirks its responsibility for its substantial environmental impact, leaving smaller, more vulnerable nations to bear the consequences.

This raises critical questions: Who should be held accountable for environmental degradation in smaller nations caused by the emissions of major polluters? While the Paris Agreement was designed to mitigate such issues, it lacks enforcement mechanisms to hold countries accountable or penalise those who fail to comply.

How is it fair for the US—a major historical emitter—to withdraw without facing repercussions? Shouldn’t the world unite to hold defaulters accountable? Developing nations, already struggling with limited resources, rely on the promised financial and technical support to combat climate change. If developed nations refuse to fulfil their commitments, how can we expect meaningful progress?

The consequences of such decisions extend far beyond the environment. If global efforts to tackle climate change are undermined, future generations will inherit the burden of reversing the damage. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement exemplifies the prioritisation of short-term political interests over long-term sustainability. His remark, "It’s all about common sense," raises the question: Where was this so-called common sense when he decided to abandon a global effort to combat climate change? Take, for example, the devastating LA fires that began on January 7, 2025. Climate change has been identified as a key factor in the severity and frequency of such disasters. Yet, despite this evidence, Trump chose to withdraw, ignoring the escalating crisis.

The reality is stark: Earth’s temperature continues to rise despite efforts to curb it. Developed nations have failed to fulfil their $100 billion annual commitment to support developing countries, and the voluntary nature of the Paris Agreement means there are no penalties for lagging nations. In this context, wealthy nations show little willingness to help, while poorer nations lack the means to act effectively.

Donald Trump, who may not live long enough to see the world a young American child will inherit, should ask his grandchildren if they are comfortable with America's stepping back from its responsibility to address climate change. A decision made by one individual in government should not be accepted without consideration, especially when it has far-reaching consequences for people across the globe. Today’s leaders are failing to fight for the future. It is we, the youth, who will inherit the world they leave behind, and it is we who will have to fight for the rights and opportunities that decisions like this jeopardise.

It is time for us to advocate for our rights—not just against the global impact of climate inaction but also within our governments. Youth development today is often focused solely on economic opportunities, education, and employment. While these are important, governments must also invest in initiatives that engage young people in the fight against climate change. Climate change is not a distant threat—it directly affects our future. Without action, the efforts we dedicate to building our careers and livelihoods will instead be diverted to managing the consequences of environmental crises. Our education, employment, and overall progress will be undermined by the growing costs of addressing the impacts of climate change.

To secure a sustainable future, governments must invest equally in climate action and youth development. Simply creating policies is not enough; human resources are needed to implement them, and we, the youths, not the current leaders, will be the ones implementing them.

As the second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, the United States cannot walk away from its responsibilities without facing consequences. It must be held accountable, whether through significant compensation or international repercussions. The United States, as a signatory to human rights treaties, must protect the rights of individuals both within and beyond its borders. No country should enact policies that harm the fundamental rights of others. Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement is not just a failure to address climate change—it is an act that undermines human rights.

We, the youth, wake up every day working towards our future, a future that politicians like Trump are jeopardising. Our rights to shelter, food, health, and life are being threatened in broad daylight, while our governments sit idly by. If other countries follow Trump's lead, we will have no better place to live or eat. An estimated 400,000 people die each year due to hunger and diseases related to climate change. By 2030, the death toll is expected to rise to 700,000 per year. These politicians, who have already lived most of their lives, care little about my future or the future of my generation, my siblings, and the generations to come. It is not them who will face the consequences; it is us. How can anyone be so selfish as not to consider their own grandchildren, who will also have to spend their lives making things right and creating a better Earth to live on? But the question remains: “Is Earth left for us now?”

We must rise above politics, unite across borders, and hold current leaders accountable for decisions that will shape our world. As the leaders of tomorrow, we cannot wait to address the cracks in the foundation. We must begin today to build a stronger, more sustainable future. Especially the youths of the developing and least-developed nations, where necessities like shelter, education, and food are already uncertain, must fight with current world leaders, as they are the first to feel the devastating effects of climate change. These countries are disproportionately affected, and their future hangs in the balance.

One individual has made extreme decisions that impact not only their fellow citizens but also others more than anyone else. In moments like these, one cannot help but question why an influential organisation like the UNFCCC failed to prevent the United States from making such a drastic and consequential decision. If major contributors to climate change refuse to be held accountable, how can we hope to build a sustainable future for the generations yet to come?

(The author is a youth climate advocate.)