Today I want to take a break from my normal natural resource posts and discuss the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Conference of the Parties (COP). In 1992, the UNFCCC was signed. It aims to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and to encourage sustainable development. Since 1992, COP has met annually in an attempt to accomplish these goals (UNFCCC). This is one of the largest global efforts to combat climate change and global warming. This year's conference, COP 25, is taking place in Madrid, Spain from December 2nd to December 13th, 2019. COP 25 was originally supposed to take place in Santiago, Chile, but it was canceled by Chile's President Sebastián Piñera due to current civil unrest in Chile (UNFCCC).
I strongly encourage you keep an eye out for COP 25 updates as decisions made at this conference will determine global action (or inaction) on climate change. It will also determine in part the fate and health for future generations. Discussions taking place at COP 25 will be broadcast live and will be available to watch for a short period after the event. As we get closer to the start date, more information about watching COP 25 live can be found here.
I am interested to see the outcome of this conference because in October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report finding that global warming should be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, which is lower than the previously stated 2.0°C target. With 1.5°C global warming, we would still see negative impacts on the environment and on human life, but the consequences would not be as severe as the those associated with 2.0°C warming. For example, with 1.5°C warming we would lose 70-90% of our coral reefs but with 2.0°C warming we would lose more than 99% of our coral reefs (IPCC).
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C will be an extremely challenging task for policymakers at COP 25. Large commitments and carbon reductions must be made by all countries for a 1.5°C target to even be considered. It is essential that all countries work together to accomplish this goal. It is also important that strict enforcement mechanisms are implemented. At COP 21 in Paris, the Paris Agreement was reached, but it lacked the proper enforcement mechanisms to keep countries accountable for their pledges. All countries must make major sacrifices and must work together to take collective action now, before the consequences of our actions become irreversible.
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