We have 14 years left to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Achieving these standards without making the planet warmer should be a priority and can be done. Look towards India who at last year’s Paris Climate Conference announced a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33-35% through the expansion of its solar and wind power programs. Further, they have pledged to create a carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 by creating forest and trees. The development of green energy with India is expected to bring 1 million jobs by 2022, which will lift people out of poverty. Further, as a country industrializes it moves more towards creating gender equality and starts to prioritize education in order to sustain their economy.
    As an influential hegemon and major polluter in the world, it is the United State’s duty to incite a major policy shift towards green energy. Although the government has invested billions into renewable energy, the movement faces opposition as Obama’s Clean Power Plan is being challenged in court. Still, the United States can  do more to support other countries make this shift by supporting China’s One Belt One Road Initiative, an infrastructure project that connects various parts of the world from South and Southeast Asia to East Africa. A major portion of this plan is energy development. The United States should guide the discussion towards creating cleaner sources of energy, rather than supporting the construction of pipelines. The project will connect 65 countries which will increase trade. If this goal can be achieved using sustainable methods, and the U.S. makes green energy a major part of the discussion, then we can lift people out of poverty while reducing our impact on the environment.