“(The Paris Climate Agreement is) the most ambitious international agreement to date to curb emissions and to prevent catastrophic global warming,” Michigan State University James Madison College professor and expert in environmental justice Daniel B. Ahlquist said.

Despite its ambitious intentions, Ahlquist said the Paris Agreement still falls short of what is needed in terms of both its targets and mechanisms for holding governments accountable.

“Nearly all of the governments that signed the Paris Agreement are falling short of their pledge of emissions reductions,” Ahquist said.

Whether or not the U.S. is involved, Ahlquist said we need a stronger and more binding agreement. However, he claims that is unlikely, especially with the U.S.'s withdrawal.

Despite its shortcomings, Ahlquist said the Paris Climate Agreement is the best we’ve got. He said key climate tipping points -- thresholds that, if exceeded, would lead to great changes and major shifts in the Earth’s climate as identified by the International Panel on Climate Change -- are approaching.

“We cannot afford to be going backwards,” Ahlquist said.

Trump's withdrawal from the climate agreement could have affects on the entire country, including Michigan. According to Ahlquist, specific effects of climate in Michigan could be more radical and unseasonal weather, hotter summers, stronger storms, more severe droughts and floods, changing ranges of pests and disease vectors and many more effects. 

“Like every other place, Michigan is experiencing the effects of climate change," Ahlquist said. "As climate change accelerates and the U.S. goes backwards, we will feel greater effects in Michigan not just for four years, but for the rest of our lives and beyond.” 

MSU students are also concerned about Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the possible impact it could have on the environment.

"It's very concerning," environmental studies and sustainability and zoology junior Julia Preservati said. "Especially with comments (Trump's) made about continuing with fossil fuel exploitation." 

In addition to withdrawing from the agreement, Trump has shut down the White House's website on the National Climate Task Force. The U.S. government's desire to extract minerals and fossil fuels and do other activities that can increase greenhouse gasses and ozone layer depletion also worries Preservati.

Food and agriculture economics graduate student Shirel Ponnudurai shared similar concerns, while also expressing some optimism for the future, and the importance of any move in the positive direction.

"I have hope that things will, at least on a global scale, push for the better," Ponnudurai said. "A little bit is better than nothing in my opinion, so I hope that eventually, there will be some good."

While federal government actions may spark concern for climate change, Preservati believes it's important to be aware of what changes can be made at local, state and individual levels. 

"At this point, we can't necessarily depend on governmental actions, so (change) needs to happen at the local level," Preservati said. "It's everything from reducing energy usage, reducing single-use plastic, coming together in community for work and holding each other accountable, and making everyday choices that help create a more sustainable life."