Once again, President Donald Trump has decided to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement. This move, which he first executed during his initial term, has reignited a debate about America’s role on the global stage, the importance of environmental stewardship, and the fine balance between economic freedom and global responsibility. As an independent Christian conservative, I see both wisdom and pitfalls in this decision, though I can’t ignore the broader implications for faith, stewardship, and our national identity.

A Question of Sovereignty

Let’s start with the basics: the Paris Agreement is a non-binding pact that requires participating nations to set their own greenhouse gas emission targets and report on their progress. Sounds harmless, right? But dig deeper, and you’ll find a web of international pressure, virtue-signaling, and economic strings attached. Trump’s argument that the agreement unfairly burdens the United States isn’t entirely baseless. Countries like China and India—massive polluters—have long been accused of skirting real accountability under such agreements, while the U.S. is expected to foot the bill in more ways than one.

For example, the U.S. was expected to contribute billions of dollars to help developing nations transition to green energy. That’s noble in theory, but in practice, it’s often a case of throwing money into inefficient, poorly monitored projects abroad while our own infrastructure and middle-class families struggle. As Christians, we’re called to be stewards of what God has entrusted to us (Genesis 2:15), but does that mean endlessly funding global initiatives that sometimes lack transparency? Charity begins at home, and so does stewardship.

Environmental Responsibility vs. Economic Realism

Now, I’m not here to argue that climate change isn’t real. God gave us dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26-28), but He also commanded us to care for it responsibly. Wildfires, flooding, and heat waves are real, and ignoring these events is foolish. However, addressing these challenges requires solutions that balance care for creation with economic viability.

The Paris Agreement may sound good on paper, but its implementation has often left much to be desired. The idea that America should hamstring its energy sector—one of the strongest drivers of our economy—while watching competitors exploit loopholes isn’t just impractical; it’s unfair. Clean energy is essential, but it must come through innovation and market-driven solutions, not international mandates that disproportionately penalize us.

Furthermore, this decision forces us to confront a hard truth: environmental policies often disproportionately hurt the poor and working class. Higher energy costs, which are often a result of aggressive climate policies, don’t mean much to a millionaire in New York, but they can devastate a single mom in Kansas trying to keep the heat on. A just society doesn’t create environmental policy that crushes the vulnerable.

The Global Leadership Conundrum

Critics argue that withdrawing from the Paris Agreement diminishes America’s influence on the world stage. They’re not wrong. Walking away from a table where global norms are being shaped does mean forfeiting some ability to steer the conversation. But let’s not forget that influence is a two-way street. If America’s participation means allowing other nations to dictate terms that are harmful to our citizens, is that leadership or submission?

Proponents of the Paris Agreement often frame it as a moral imperative. And while Christians should absolutely care about the planet—after all, it’s God’s creation—we should also recognize that our primary calling is to steward it in ways that honor both Him and our neighbors. Leadership isn’t about following the crowd; it’s about standing firm on principles and setting an example. That example could be an America that invests in clean energy innovation, not because of international pressure, but because it’s the right thing to do.

What’s the Real Cost?

Naveena Sadasivam and Joseph Winters of Vox highlight an Associated Press poll indicating that only two in ten Americans support leaving the Paris Agreement. That sounds damning, but it’s worth questioning how many Americans truly understand the agreement’s implications. It’s easy to label someone anti-environment for opposing it, but skepticism isn’t the same as apathy. Many people see through the veneer of international agreements that promise much but deliver little.

As Christians, we must ask ourselves: Are we glorifying God in our stewardship of this nation? Are we protecting the vulnerable, fostering innovation, and being good neighbors to the global community? I believe we can do all those things without being shackled by agreements that don’t serve our long-term interests.

The Path Forward

Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement isn’t an end; it’s an opportunity. America should take this moment to double down on innovation, fostering a clean energy market that’s driven by competition and ingenuity, not bureaucracy. We can lead by example, proving that environmental responsibility and economic prosperity aren’t mutually exclusive. This doesn’t mean abandoning international cooperation—it means engaging on our terms, as a sovereign nation.

In the end, this decision, like many others, boils down to trust. Do we trust our elected leaders to prioritize the well-being of Americans while still honoring our role as stewards of creation? Do we trust the free market to innovate solutions that protect the environment without bankrupting families? Do we trust that, by honoring God’s commandments, we can navigate these complex challenges with wisdom and integrity?

Let’s hope and pray that the answer is yes.