What is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change?
In 1992 there was the Rio Earth Summit, which included the adoption of the UN Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which entered into force in 1994. It now has a near-universal membership of 197 countries. The main objective of the annual Conference of Parties (COP) is to review the Convention’s implementation, which was to set out a framework for action aimed "avoiding dangerous human interference with the climate system."
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement was put into effect on November 4, 2016. The agreement was a way to further unite countries to combat climate change. UNFCCC claims that the Agreement aims to "strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels." The Agreement established Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); countries must submit a report of their emissions and implementation efforts. Right now, 170 out of 197 Parties have ratified the agreement.
What is causing climate change?
The National Climate Assessment, climate science report published every four years, states that humans are the cause for climate change. In this report, 13 federal agencies agreed that human activities have led to a rise in global temperatures. The NY Times claims that this report contradicts Trump's administration, for many doubt the existence of global warming. In the report, it explains how global temperatures have risen 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit over the last 115 years. With the fluctuations in temperature, many weather catastrophes have occurred. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has removed many of its climate references from its website and has cancelled some of its scientists' talks about global warming.
Want more information about climate change?
The U.S. Global Change Research Program offers ways to understand climate change, explore its effects, stay updated with news, and to engage and inform others about global warming.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration features news about the climate along with a global climate dashboard.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides a way to explore climate change indicators in the U.S.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change provides scientific information to governments to allow them develop climate-related policies.
What are your beliefs on climate change? What needs to be done about it?
-by Emily Hancz
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