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What COP21 really stands for

Photo credit: www.climatechangecentral.com
Photo credit: www.climatechangecentral.com

C- limate Change affects everyone in millions of ways. From producing extreme weather events that destroy lives and properties, health, and the animals’ habitat, to effects of ocean acidification, coral bleaching, global security and economy, it is undoubtedly one of the most pressing global issues today.

The 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21), which happened in Paris, France from November 30 to December 12, 2015, aimed to discuss Climate Change concerns and create an agreement for a stronger climate action plan.

COP21 targets to build unity among leaders to create solutions, particularly in reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) from human activities—said to be a major contributor of Climate Change.

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Photo credit: http://adserver.bworldonline.com/

O – ver 100 world leaders committed to opt for renewable energy sources rather than the burning of fossil fuels. Renewables are projected to become the world’s leading source of energy in the coming years.

Since renewable energy is safer, cheaper and accessible to all, Greenpeace says that a100% renewable energy is achievable and cost-effective if placed under the right political decisions.

Meanwhile, the most developed countries still have the responsibility to continue providing financial support for its low or middle-income counterparts–the small and developing countries, which are at the frontline of Climate Change impacts. This will greatly help in the collective effort of Climate Change mitigation and adaptation.

Photo credit: WWF
Photo credit: WWF

P- ledges poured in as leaders expressed their willingness to help in combating the effects of the changing climate. Top emitters like China, United States, Europe, India, Russia, and Japan voluntarily committed in cutting down GHGs and pollution in the next two decades.

The Paris agreement said there would be transparency rules to encourage countries to practice what they have promised. All countries were required to submit reports of their emission and climate action efforts.

Photo credit: cop21.paris.org
Photo credit: cop21.paris.org

2 – º C or below of global temperature rise within the next few decades is the goal. Higher global temperatures may lead to more disastrous weather events, severe droughts, extreme heat, melting of ice, sea level rise, etc.

According to Climate Central, science researchers and policy makers in the 1990s described 2 degrees Celsius as the limit of warming that the earth could handle from the most disastrous outcome. In 2010, this 2 degrees Celsius was then formally recognized by the United Nations Climate Change group as the critical threshold.

“Since the late 1800s, the world has heated by about 1 degree Celsius,” Bernadette Woods Placky from Climate Central confirms. At this level, the planet has already been experiencing rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns, record-breaking heat and more wildfires.

The COP21 showed how different countries all over the world strongly committed to keep the temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius—or if possible, 1.5 degrees Celsius. Though highly ambitious, this target will reduce the risks and impacts of Climate Change.

In a Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) held in Manila prior to the Paris conference, Saleemul Huq, the Director of International Center for Climate Change and Development in the University of Bangladesh, says, “If we want all countries and all people to be safe, we need a one and a half degree goal. It’s the right goal to have.”

Photo credit: www.ambafrance-nz.org
Photo credit: www.ambafrance-nz.org

1- st universal, legally binding deal on climate action finally became a success. According to Climate Central, the Parisian event was already the 21st conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change–yet none of the meetings held during the previous years achieved its goal.

For instance, in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol attempted to enforce arbitrary and genetic pollution reductions from developed countries. However, Europe was not able to fulfill its commitment because of economic declination, lack of support from the U.S. and the withdrawal of Canada. Only few nations formally supported the protocol.

COP21 pioneered a new approach that relied on voluntary commitments of world leaders to reduce the effect of Climate Change. Some are against the new approach, but most experts and nations are optimistic to try something different.

Sources:
Climate Central
Greenpeace
The Telegraph
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
http://www.cop21paris.org/