Trump's bold choice of withdrawing from the Paris agreement caused severe backlash throughout the nation. Despite the general population's claim of this being detrimental to Earth's health, such an occurrence may actually prove to be a good thing. Throughout Obama's presidency, the government created many new environmental laws, so the public assumed the government had this pressing situation under control. Whether or not change actually occurred as a result of this legislation was of little concern to the public.

Now, however, with a leader who evidently fails to prioritize the future of the planet, more local action is taking place. People are creating initiatives in their cities and towns to practice eco-friendly habits. Groups such as the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters are able to help this cause in the majority of the United States.

Lack of action at the federal level does not prohibit action at the state and city levels. Governors of California and Colorado pledged to work to lower emissions and invest in more renewable energy sources. The more localized authorities have the ability to create more specific and applicable laws that citizens are more likely to follow.

In addition to new movements within the United States, China affirmed their commitment to saving the planet, which encouraged other countries who considered leaving the agreement because of the US to stay. Even though the US government no longer takes part in an agreement involving 178 other countries, the other countries will strive to protect the Earth. After all, the United States is only a small fraction of the entire globe. Without a government to rely on, individual Americans will finally step up and push for sustainability in a way never seen before. Americans can and should unite with the rest of the world to work towards one common end goal: ensuring a future for our children.