[ot-caption title=”President Barack Obama, eager to solve the issue on climate change.  (via Chuck Kennedy, Wikipedia)”]

Although Paris had just recently experienced an ISIS terror attack that resulted in the death of over 120 people, 150 of the world’s leaders came together on November 30th in the city to attend the Climate Change Summit (COP21) and establish a universal goal: to limit the rising temperatures throughout the globe and to commit to a legal outcome that would reaffirm the world’s collective action to combat greenhouse gas emissions. According to Preseident Vladimir Putin of Russia, climate change “has become one of the gravest challenges humanity is facing.” Over 180 countries have submitted commitments regarding covering nearly 100% of global emissions, laying out their intentions on how far they are willing to go in order to reduce these greenhouse emissions. Judging by these pledges, and the deal that the United Nations hopes to sign off on within the next few days, the UN is looking to achieve its universal goal.

The first day, November 30th, consisted of French President Francois Hollande and Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, introducing the event while urging the attendees to showcase leadership, courage and innovation. Following these opening remarks was the introduction of a number of initiatives taken by world leaders. For example, Mr. Ban suggested a new initiative in order to strengthen climate resilience, and along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Hollande, launched a solar alliance to boost the use of durable and clean energy. Six heads of state advocated the practice of pricing carbon pollution in order to address climate change and to alter the global economy.  11 donor countries pledged to pay 250 million dollars to support the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF).  Also, a Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Communiqué, presented by Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand, called for global efforts to stay away from subsidies to fossil fuels.  Finally, to the end the productive first day, the World Bank announced its intention to work with European countries in order to set up a 500 million dollar initiative, known as the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility, that will be devoted to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries.

The next day, the heads of state and leaders of government left the Paris climate talk. Their negotiators and diplomats are scheduled to reach a solution by December 11th. Despite opposition he is facing from Congress and the various constituents in the developing part of the world, President Barack Obama left the conference sounding optimistic, “I actually think we are going to solve this problem.”

Sources: New York Times, The Guardian, United Nations, Photo Source: Chuck Kennedy