The Hashtag
#ParisAgreement trended when Trump withdrew the U.S. from the landmark climate accord, making America the only nation to reject the agreement as climate crisis accelerated.
Origins
On June 1, 2017, Trump announced the U.S. would withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, arguing it disadvantaged American workers and gave unfair advantages to China and India.
The Paris Agreement, signed by 195 nations, committed countries to limit global warming to below 2°C (ideally 1.5°C). The U.S. was the world’s second-largest emitter.
Cultural Impact
The withdrawal sparked:
- “We Are Still In” coalition (states, cities, businesses pledging to meet Paris goals anyway)
- International condemnation (even Syria and Nicaragua later joined, leaving the U.S. alone)
- Climate activists’ fury and renewed organizing
- Greta Thunberg’s school strike movement (2018-2019)
- Subnational climate action (California, New York, etc.)
Key moments:
- Macron’s “Make Our Planet Great Again” counter to MAGA
- Cities and states representing 65% of U.S. GDP pledged continued commitment
- Corporate America (Tesla, Apple, Google) publicly opposed withdrawal
The U.S. formally exited on November 4, 2020—one day after the election. Biden’s first act on Inauguration Day (January 20, 2021) was rejoining the accord.
The hashtag represented climate denial at the highest level, American isolationism, and the gap between federal obstruction and grassroots action.