LAST week, despite efforts to drown out sound and blinker vision, the unwelcome news that Trump had called for America to back out of the Paris Climate Agreement hit home.

Set up in 2015, the agreement signalled a massive step forward in the fight against climate change. Marking the first time world leaders had united to agree ways they could take responsibility and combat greenhouse gas emissions, proposals were negotiated, set to commence in 2020.

For those who couldn't ignore the science any longer, it was welcome news: human activity had proved responsible for rising temperatures and global warming.

Finally the world leaders were acknowledging that action had to be taken; we were all responsible for the health of the planet and should not be making decisions that would impact the lives of people in developing nations.

Yet following Trump's recent decision to break free from the agreement, the tide of environmentalism is set to turn.

For many his decision was not an altogether surprising one. The President's 'Make America Great Again' campaign and time in office so far, has arguably prioritised short sighted actions over bigger picture thinking.

Yet with the state of the planet and our future at stake, I'll admit I resorted to hopeless optimism. Surely there would be enough advisors to warn, nay implore, the President to consider this decision and its far reaching consequences.

But alas, here we are - Trump, the climate change denier, has made his bed, and the future generations must lie in it.

Though before we submit to frankly terrifying future prospects, I believe there is hope.

Many scientists and social commentators have spoken candidly about Trump's new direction, and suggested it is not altogether bleak.

With corporations recognising that consumers want to use clean energy, they have already invested time, money and new technologies on renewables. Arguably they do not depend on subsidies from the government.

Also, with this decision given plenty of news slots all over the world, the issue of climate change is out there in the public realm. America's new direction has got the world talking and the narrative seems unanimous that this is a silly decision.

In the months that led up to the 2015 Paris climate talks Oxfam Scotland hosted a training day. With the intention of educating people about the issues affecting people in their daily lives, they hoped to encourage individuals to make some noise ahead of a march taking place in Edinburgh.

I was joined by around thirty others, each hoping to learn more and find ways to rally up support.

Armed with the facts and figures, all who attended took to social media, local newspapers and recruited friends and family to encourage people to make a stand against climate change. Come march day, people came out in their thousands, urging world leaders to take a stance.

Trump's decision is a disappointing one, but as long as there remain a passionate few, my hope is that in our communities we will find alternative ways to incite change.