On Saturday, representatives from 198 countries approved a plan to prevent increased global warming by cutting greenhouse gas emissions globally.
World leaders convened in Paris last week to discuss strategies for reducing the impact of climate change, ultimately agreeing to limit greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions to help restrain global warming “well below” 2 degrees Celsius through 2100. Participating nations also committed to supporting developing countries in this endeavor, pledging $100 billion by 2020 to help them cut emissions and cope with the effects of extreme weather.
Some 25 years in the making, last weekend’s agreement marks the first time in human history the world has reached a consensus as to how to meaningfully address climate change. Speaking from the White House Saturday, United States president Barack Obama praised the pact, citing its potential as “a turning point for the world.”
“We came together around a strong agreement the world needed. We met the moment,” said Obama. “We’ve shown what’s possible when the world stands as one.”
Media Resources: BBC News 12/13/15, New York Magazine 12/14/15; Huffington Post 12/12/15
