Last week, President Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Accord.  This accord, which was negotiated in December 2015, commits the nations of the world to reduce or reduce the rate of growth of carbon emissions.  Each nation is supposed to publish carbon emission goals, and then report on its progress in meeting these goals.  There are no enforcement mechanisms in the agreement.  President Trump argues that the US is unfairly harmed by the agreement and that attempts to meet environmental goals harm the American economy more than the Chinese economy because China, under the terms of the agreement, will continue to increase its carbon emissions, while the US is committed to reducing its emissions.   

Briefly outline how economic growth has contributed to increases in carbon dioxide emissions.  Given this reality, do you think economic growth must be incompatible with reductions in carbon emission?  What role did the problem associated with producing public goods play in President Trump's decision?   Given the new political landscape, are you optimistic or pessimistic about the ability of humans to deal with the global warming issue?

Make sure you cover all the issues asked for in this essay prompt (i.e. explain the link between economic growth and increasing carbon dioxide emissions, discuss and explain the problem of producing public goods, discuss possible solutions to global warming, and explain why you are optimistic or pessimistic). The problem of providing public goods is closely related to the free rider problem.  In the essay, you need to define what a public good is, identify what public good is associated with reducing carbon emissions, and explain how the free rider problem plays a role in the design or lack of design of public policy.