Didn’t know the Paris Agreement?

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris. This is a global treaty designed to tackle climate change and reduce global warming.

This includes nearly all nations in the world, making it a landmark global effort to combat climate change. The number of countries participating in the Paris Agreement now is 197!

However, it’s still challenging to fully grasp the specifics of what was decided, isn’t it? For instance, what makes the Paris Agreement different from other agreements or protocols? Let me outline its key details!

Key Points of the Agreement

Frist, let’s look at the main parts of the Pris agreement.

Main Points:

“Maintain the rise in the world’s average temperature significantly below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels and to aim for a limit of 1.5°C.”

We must peak global greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible and achieve a balance between emissions and absorptions (like those from forests) by the latter half of the 21st century.

It’s just simple. But some of you might have a question. Why was the target set to “below 2°C

Let me explain. There are several reasons, including impacts on ecosystems, extreme weather and food security. So, let’s take a closer look at the findings and data.

According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and others, we can understand the risks more clearly. By reading these reports, we gain insight into the potential danger.

1. Impact on Biodiversity

Loss of Biodiversity: 2°C increase could put about 30% of plant and animal species at risk of extinction.

Coral Reefs: A rise of 1.5 degrees is expected to damage 70-90% of the world’s coral reefs, but at 2 degrees, nearly all coral reefs could be lost.

2. Extreme Weather

2°C rise is projected to triple the frequency of summer heatwaves in Europe. Heatwaves affect not just human health and mortality, but also agriculture and food security. Based on the data from European Environment Agency, the economic losses from heatwaves and cold waves totaled €45 billion.

3. Sea Level Rise

Risk of Flooding: 2°C increase could result in a sea level rise of 0.5 to 1 meter, putting millions of people at risk of flooding.

Decrease in Agricultural Productivity: Especially in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, on small islands, and in the Arctic, people will suffer due to food shortages. In addition, grain production in tropical regions could decline by as much as 30% (FAO report, 2018).

4. Food Security

The impact of climate change ranges from changes in weather patterns to soil degradation. It also affects livestock and fish, both of which are harmed by climate change. As a result, food availability decreases, and prices rise. Consequently, food security is closely linked to climate change.

5. Water Scarcity

Imagine the evaporation increases from surface water, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. This results in a decrease in available fresh water in regions that are already water-scarce. Global warming also affects on the patterns of seasonal weather and people who rely on snowmelt from mountains for freshwater. 2°C rise could result in approximately 200 million more people facing water scarcity in arid regions.

How Does the Paris Agreement Differ?

I have discussed the impact of a 1.5 °C temperature rise, , but how does this differ from other agreements? The most innovative aspect of the Paris Agreement is that it establishes a framework requiring all participating countries, including developing nations, to commit to reducing emissions.

Do you know or remember Kyoto Protocol? It imposed binding emission reduction targets solely on developed countries. In contrast, the Paris Agreement acknowledges that developing countries have experienced significant economic growth and increased emissions since the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

Outlook for the Paris Agreement

To assess overall progress, the agreement mandates a review of its implementation every five years starting in 2023. Based on these evaluations, countries will adjust their future reduction and mitigation targets. As of 2023, the Earth’s average temperature has risen by approximately 1.1°C to 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Climate-related risks increase significantly if global warming exceeds 1.5°C before stabilizing by 2100, compared to a scenario where warming stabilizes at 1.5°C. Some impacts, such as the loss of certain ecosystem, could be long-lasting or irreversible. Therefore, immediate action and participation in global conservation efforts are essential.

In future articles, I will discuss specific actions and goals for contributing to this effort.