WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the newly passed international climate change agreement as a major achievement that could help turn the tide in global warming.

Obama said the climate agreement "can be a turning point for the world." He and Kerry predicted it would prompt widespread spending on clean energy and help stem carbon pollution blamed for global warming.

But the immediate reaction of leading Republican critics was a stark reminder of the fight that lies ahead.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Obama should remember that the agreement "is subject to being shredded in 13 months." McConnell noted that the presidential election is next year and the agreement could be reversed if the GOP wins the White House.