Paris climate agreement “in force by end of 2016”

 

 

NEW YORK: -- The Paris climate agreement came a step closer to taking effect on Wednesday (Sept.21) after 31 more countries formally signed up to it at the UN. They included Brazil, the world’s seventh largest emitter of greenhouse gases, Mexico, Argentina and Sri Lanka. Oil-rich United Arab Emirates.

 

The Paris deal requires ratification by a minimum of 55 countries. Sixty have done so but together they only represent 47.5% of global emissions, falling short of the deal’s 55% target.

 

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon applauded efforts so far but said there was work still to be done:

“We have crossed the one of the two thresholds, the 55 countries so its well over, now let us work harder to get all the 7.5 percent greenhouse emissions added more.”

 

What once seemed impossible is now inevitable. I’m confident that by the time I leave office the Paris agreement will have entered into force,” Ban added.

Ban Ki-moon’s second five-year term ends on Dec. 31

 

Paris

Last December in Paris 195 countries submitted promises to curb their greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the global temperature rise to 2C above pre-industrial levels, with an aspiration of keeping it to 1.5C.

 

Earlier this month the agreement received a boost after U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping submitted their plan to join the agreement. The world’s two biggest emitters account for around 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

 

With record breaking heat levels being recorded across the globe, experts say the deal cant come into effect soon enough. Prolonged droughts and rising sea levels are already threatening sections of the world’s population.

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-09-22

195 countries submitted promises to curb their greenhouse gas emissions

BUT, what does that mean? Does anyone believe they will do whatever is necessary, or will they just put a load of taxes on things?

I don't believe they will do what it takes, as they would be thrown out at the next election if they actually did something like banning air travel or cars in cities.

They haven't even floated the idea of replacing all fossil fuelled electricity generation. 10% of renewable generation just isn't going to have any effect.

 

Talk and UN resolutions are cheap. Actually doing anything isn't.

On 9/22/2016 at 0:19 PM, webfact said:

Paris climate agreement “in force by end of 2016”

I feel a lot safer now.