The Paris Climate Accord
What high schoolers should know about the past, present, and future of this historic climate change initiative
By Molly Rodewald, reporter
What high schoolers should know about the past, present, and future of this historic climate change initiative
By Molly Rodewald, reporter
In 2016 the United States joined the Paris Agreement under the Obama Administration. The Paris Agreement is a United Nations led treaty between countries who are trying to combat global warming. In 2019 the Trump Administration left the Paris Agreement, while the incoming Biden-Harris Administration is planning to rejoin.
But what is global warming? What does the Paris Agreement do? And how can you help to stop the irreversible damage that global warming causes?
In order to understand the purpose and goals of the Paris Agreement, you should know what global warming is. Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Some examples of greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, ozone and methane. These gases collect in the Earth’s atmosphere, and absorb the solar radiation that is leaving the Earth’s surface. When they collect this energy in the atmosphere it causes Earth’s temperature to rise slowly, which is defined as global warming. Due to Earth’s temperature rising we have seen many negative effects on the environment. These impacts include stronger and more frequent hurricanes, droughts, flooding and wildfires.
The Paris Agreement is an agreement between 189 countries that has a goal of keeping the global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial eras. This means that since the pre-industrial eras, which started in the 1700s, the Paris Agreement wants to keep the global temperature rise below 2 degrees celsius. To achieve this goal countries have to determine a contribution they are going to make and report every five years on what they have accomplished. The overall message of the Paris Agreement is for countries to work together to stop, and reverse, the effects of global warming.
Even though many countries are working on stopping global warming, there are many actions individuals can take to help. For example the meat industry results in about 14.5 percent of all human greenhouse gas emissions per year. So to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released you can limit your consumption of meat. Another industry that has large greenhouse gas emissions is the travel industry. To help the climate you can stay home and explore the locations near you, or travel less often.
The incoming Biden-Harris Administration is planning to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, which will have a positive effect on the climate and help protect our planet for future generations. As you go about your everyday life, be aware of the actions you take and think about the effect those actions have on the planet around you. And always remember to appreciate the world we were given, as there is no planet B.
But what is global warming? What does the Paris Agreement do? And how can you help to stop the irreversible damage that global warming causes?
In order to understand the purpose and goals of the Paris Agreement, you should know what global warming is. Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Some examples of greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, ozone and methane. These gases collect in the Earth’s atmosphere, and absorb the solar radiation that is leaving the Earth’s surface. When they collect this energy in the atmosphere it causes Earth’s temperature to rise slowly, which is defined as global warming. Due to Earth’s temperature rising we have seen many negative effects on the environment. These impacts include stronger and more frequent hurricanes, droughts, flooding and wildfires.
The Paris Agreement is an agreement between 189 countries that has a goal of keeping the global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial eras. This means that since the pre-industrial eras, which started in the 1700s, the Paris Agreement wants to keep the global temperature rise below 2 degrees celsius. To achieve this goal countries have to determine a contribution they are going to make and report every five years on what they have accomplished. The overall message of the Paris Agreement is for countries to work together to stop, and reverse, the effects of global warming.
Even though many countries are working on stopping global warming, there are many actions individuals can take to help. For example the meat industry results in about 14.5 percent of all human greenhouse gas emissions per year. So to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released you can limit your consumption of meat. Another industry that has large greenhouse gas emissions is the travel industry. To help the climate you can stay home and explore the locations near you, or travel less often.
The incoming Biden-Harris Administration is planning to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, which will have a positive effect on the climate and help protect our planet for future generations. As you go about your everyday life, be aware of the actions you take and think about the effect those actions have on the planet around you. And always remember to appreciate the world we were given, as there is no planet B.
Works Cited
Amanda MacMillan. “Global Warming 101.” NRDC, 5 Nov. 2020, www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101#causes.
Hawkins, Ed, et al. Climate Lab Book, 25 Jan. 2017, www.climate-lab-book.ac.uk/2017/defining-pre-industrial/.
Unfccc.int, unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement.
Waite, Richard, et al. “6 Pressing Questions About Beef and Climate Change, Answered.” World Resources Institute, 13 Sept.2019, www.wri.org/blog/2019/04/6-pressing-questions-about-beef-and-climate-change-answered#:~:text=Food and Agriculture Organization .
Hawkins, Ed, et al. Climate Lab Book, 25 Jan. 2017, www.climate-lab-book.ac.uk/2017/defining-pre-industrial/.
Unfccc.int, unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement.
Waite, Richard, et al. “6 Pressing Questions About Beef and Climate Change, Answered.” World Resources Institute, 13 Sept.2019, www.wri.org/blog/2019/04/6-pressing-questions-about-beef-and-climate-change-answered#:~:text=Food and Agriculture Organization .