This June, President Donald Trump announced the United States’ intent to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. After his announcement, the President was engulfed in premature criticism and disapproval.

The document, which has now been agreed upon by every nation except the United States, is a loose commitment to lower greenhouse gas emissions and help quell global climate change. Success is measured by the signatory nations’ ability to keep the average global temperature within 2° C of the pre-industrial temperature. However, the only consequence for disregarding the document’s mission is a petty “name and shame.” The agreement is an utter failure whether one believes in human-caused global climate change or not.

On this subject, NPR’s Christopher Joyce wrote, “As diplomats debated and protesters protested, climate scientists delivered bad news. They are increasingly skeptical that the Paris deal will do what’s needed. Researchers say the emissions reduction targets made at Paris — and what countries are doing to meet them — are weak.” The agreement represents a handshake with fingers crossed behind the back because the agreement has no backbone, no authority.

Believing that China and Russia will abide by the UN’s regulations is foolish, for both countries have blatantly ignored the UN’s call for human rights. China has staunchly thwarted attempts by the UN to investigate a plethora of human rights disputes. Some other noteworthy signers include North Korea, Syria, Iran, and Cuba, all of which have had major conflicts in following UN recommendations.

The financial demands of the accord are found in Article 3 of the document and state that nationally determined contributions should be “ambitious” and “represent a progression,” meaning that countries should give large contributions to lowering emissions that increase in intensity over time. Financially, the United States would be expected, but not required, to be the second biggest contributor to the global effort because the U.S. produces around 15% of all global CO2 emissions.

Overall, the agreement has no capacity for enforcement, and insulting the president for refusing to sign such a document is foolhardy. Donald Trump believes that the United States has no place contributing to such a document and, indeed, he has the support and authority to make the decision to withdraw. His stance on the issue was no secret to the American people, and he has judicially acted upon the people’s will.