UN Assembly 2025: Divided on Climate Change

Two Stages, One Global Debate

In late September 2025, New York became the center of the world’s most urgent debates. On one side of Manhattan, the United Nations General Assembly gathered more than 190 member states for its 80th session, focused on peace, security, and climate change. Just a few blocks away, The New York Times hosted its annual Climate Forward event, bringing together policymakers, activists, and business leaders to debate the future of environmental action.

The contrast between the two venues was striking: while world leaders promised new commitments to slow global warming, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright called for nations to exit the Paris Agreement. At the same time, California’s governor used the platform to attack former President Donald Trump’s record on the environment. These competing visions highlighted a global divide that could shape humanity’s response to climate change for decades.

Chris Wright: A Call to Abandon the Paris Agreement

Speaking at the Climate Forward conference, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright made headlines by declaring that countries should “absolutely” follow the United States in leaving the Paris climate accord. He argued that the agreement had become a “club of nations that lost sight of their own people’s interests,” suggesting that environmental commitments were undermining economic stability and sovereignty.

His comments reignited the debate over the role of multilateral treaties. Critics accused Wright of pandering to fossil fuel interests, while supporters praised him for defending domestic energy production. The timing of his remarks, delivered as world leaders gathered at the UN, underscored Washington’s fractured climate stance.

California’s Governor vs. Trump

Just hours after Wright’s remarks, California’s governor took the stage at the same event, directly criticizing Donald Trump’s environmental policies. He pointed to California’s wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat as proof of the escalating climate crisis. “We cannot afford denial,” he told the audience, framing climate inaction as a direct threat to American lives and livelihoods.

The governor’s speech contrasted sharply with Trump’s earlier declarations at rallies, where the former president dismissed climate science and pledged to expand fossil fuel drilling. This clash reflected not only U.S. political polarization but also the deep divide between climate pragmatism and skepticism.

UN Assembly: Global Leaders Step Up

Meanwhile, across Manhattan, more than 100 countries used the UN General Assembly to announce stronger commitments to climate action. China reaffirmed its pledge to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach net-zero by 2060. The European Union outlined new green investment plans, while small island nations issued urgent pleas for survival as rising seas threaten their existence.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that without dramatic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the world is heading toward a 2.7°C temperature rise this century— far above the Paris target. He called the Assembly “a moment of truth” for humanity.

Clashing Visions of the Future

The split-screen reality of the Assembly and the Times event captured two radically different visions. One side emphasized urgency, cooperation, and shared responsibility. The other highlighted sovereignty, skepticism, and a return to fossil fuel dominance.

For developing nations, this division is more than theoretical. Many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America face rising temperatures, food insecurity, and displacement, making global solidarity a matter of survival.

Trump’s Shadow on the Debate

Although Donald Trump was not a formal speaker at the Assembly, his influence loomed large. His past decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement continues to shape the U.S. political landscape. Even as many states, cities, and corporations push for renewable energy, Trump’s base remains committed to fossil fuels, creating uncertainty about America’s long-term commitments.

This uncertainty ripples outward: allies question U.S. reliability, while adversaries seize the chance to expand influence in climate diplomacy. China, for instance, used the Assembly to position itself as a leader in green development, though critics doubt its sincerity.

Palestine, Conflicts, and Climate Connections

Beyond climate, the Assembly also debated recognition of Palestine and conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East. Yet even here, climate was a recurring theme. Zelensky linked environmental destruction with war, while Middle Eastern leaders warned that drought and water scarcity could fuel future unrest.

The intersection of geopolitics and climate change showed that the issues cannot be separated. Energy, security, and sustainability are now tightly interwoven on the world stage.

Conclusion: A World at a Crossroads

The 80th UN General Assembly and the Climate Forward event highlighted a stark truth: humanity is deeply divided on how to respond to the climate crisis. Some leaders call for urgent collective action, while others retreat into nationalism and fossil fuel reliance.

The coming years will reveal whether cooperation or confrontation will define the planet’s future. The stakes could not be higher— for economies, ecosystems, and generations yet to come.