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Talks began in Paris, France this week as leaders from more than 150 countries gathered to discuss how to reduce the effects of climate change. Security concerns from the attacks that killed 130 people just over two weeks ago remained as the world leaders set about finalizing an agreement to reduce carbon emissions globally. French President Francois Hollande opened the summit with a call for unity among nations as they seek ways to make the world safer from violent threats as well as environmental ones. “We have to leave our children something more than a world free of terror. We owe them a planet preserved from catastrophe,” Hollande said. Although previous attempts to establish an international climate strategy failed in the past, many leaders committed to making improvements at home even before arriving in Paris. Last year, President Barack Obama pledged the United States would reduce its carbon emissions by 26 to 28 percent over the next decade. The world’s biggest greenhouse gas producer, China, also committed to cutting emissions by 60 percent by 2030. Leaders attending the conference from developing nations cautioned that drastic changes would be less realistic for countries still growing their own economies. In response, the U.S., Canada, Germany, Italy and others committed $250 million to less affluent nations to help address climate concerns without burdening their economies. In order for progress to be made, nations must be held accountable to the commitments they make to reduce emissions, according to German Prime Minister Angela Merkel. “We know that the agreements are made voluntary, but it’s also important that we also stick to what we have promised,” Merkel said.Vocab
carbon emissions
— carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere, produced by vehicles and industrial processes
greenhouse gas
— a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) and chlorofluorocarbons
Warm up questions
- What is climate change?
- Why is climate change a global issue?
- What is one thing you could do that might help address climate change?
Critical thinking questions
- Besides curbing greenhouse gas emissions, what else can nation do to help mitigate the effects of climate change?
- Why is it important to get world leaders together in one place to discuss an issue, rather than have each country decide what to do individually?
- What can be done to hold nations accountable to the commitments they make during this conference going forward?
