Paris Agreement

During my ongoing literature review I often discover interesting facts about things I’ve never thought about. Sometimes I can connect these facts with my own observations: The result is mostly a completely new idea why things are as they are. Maybe these ideas are new to you, too. Therefore I’ll share my new science based knowledge with you!

This week: This time, I think about the Paris Agreement which was adopted by the UNFCCC members on 12 December 2015.

On 12 December 2015, the Paris Agreement was adopted by consensus by all of the 196 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) member parties. The Paris Agreement is the first international agreement to address climate change and to take action against global warming. All members promised to reduce their carbon output and to do their best in order to limit global warming to well below 2°C.

Nature.

In general, the Paris Agreement is a first sign that the whole world recognizes the climate change and has the ambition to take action against it. The pact was even called „a turning point“ in the goal of reducing global warming and „a message of life“. Global warming is a global problem and can only be limited if all countries try to limit their emissions and to support alternative ways of generating energy. However, it is also a problem that can be addressed by every single person on our „Pale Blue Dot“ as even small changes can cause a significant effect.

Unfortunately, adopting the Paris Agreement is only the first initial step on a very ambitious road to a carbon free society. The next challenge of the Paris Agreement begins on 22 April 2016–Mother Earth Day–when it will be deposited at the UN in New York and be opened for one year for signature. It will only enter into force when it is ratified by 55 countries that account for at least 55% of global emissions. Furthermore, the Paris Agreement mostly consists of aims and not firm commitments and many items are only voluntary and not binding.

Nevertheless, the Paris Agreement is a first sign to everyone that we have to act now and change our behavior if we want to keep the Earth a beautiful place for future generations. We can change the world if we work together and start to encourage others to take action, too.

Nature doesn’t need people. People need nature.