While the world came together to take a historic first step against shipping emissions, the United States was nowhere to be found.

Over 60 countries, including China, Brazil, and most European nations, just agreed to a global fee on greenhouse gases from ships, an unprecedented effort to clean up one of the dirtiest industries on the planet. But the U.S. government sat out.

Worse, it actively urged others to walk away from the deal.

This is not leadership. This is not climate action. It’s an embarrassment, and it’s dangerous.

Shipping emissions now make up nearly 3% of the planet’s total greenhouse gases. That number is growing. If we are serious about reaching net zero, we can’t let a major player like the U.S. refuse to even show up at the table. The agreement reached will raise up to $13 billion per year to invest in clean fuels, support developing countries, and reward innovation. But the system only works if everyone participates.

Especially us.

By boycotting the negotiations, the U.S. has abandoned its role on the world stage. It sends the message that short-term profit is more important than our children’s future. It leaves climate-vulnerable nations, many of whom pleaded for stronger action, alone in the fight for their survival. And it hands over leadership on global climate policy to others, while we fall behind.

The United States government must reverse course and join the global climate agreement on shipping emissions.

We don’t have time for climate denial. We don’t have time for isolation. And we certainly don’t have time for excuses.

Sign and share if you believe the U.S. must be part of the solution—not the problem.