MARRAKESH, MOROCCO– Fifteen thousand negotiators, CEOs and activists congregate for the Paris Agreement amidst US Elections. The Paris Agreement binds all countries equally to offset global warming. Despite the congregation of 196 nations for the twelve-day UN talks, the world is focused on the United States elections that could propel climate denier Donald Trump to the White House. US President Barack Obama warns that all the steps made for climate change now depends on the votes of the American citizens. Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton promised to preserve Obama’s policies in the cessation of global warming.
Issues on each nations’ CO2 emissions shall be addressed in 2018. 2018 shall also be the year for high-stakes discussions on each nation’s pledge to reduce CO2 emissions to prevent Earth from overheating. Currently, the Earth might heat up at about 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The Paris Agreement’s ideal is to reduce the chance of global warming at under 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or even 2.7 degrees if possible. Businesses need to expect a shift to a low or zero-carbon global economy. Laurence Tubiana, France’s top climate negotiator, says that the emissions gap must be plugged. UN Environment Programme head Erik Solheim warns that humanity must take action towards global warming to avoid an ominous future.
Vocabulary:
congregate- assemble
offset- cutoff
cessation – stop
high-stakes- serious risks upon failure
ominous- threatening
True or False:
- According to the article, 15,000 negotiators, CEOs and activists congregate for the Paris Agreement.
- Donald Trump promised to conserve Obama’s policies in the cessation of global warming.
- Reducing CO2 emissions may prevent Earth from overheating.
- The earth might heat up at about 5.4 degrees Celsius.
- UN Environment Programme head Laurence Tubiana says that emissions gap must be plugged.
Defend your argument:
- Do you think that human advancement is the primary cause of global warming? Why or why not?
- Do you think the small efforts exerted by humans today can decrease the effects of global warming? Why or why not?
- Do you think humans can easily switch back to natural means of living? Why or why not?
- Are you in favor of using solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels? Why or why not?
- Do you think the Paris Agreement’s ideal can succeed? Why or why not?
Express your opinion:
- In your own way, how will you reduce the effects of global warming?
- How do you adapt to the effects of global warming?
- In your own words, how does your country contribute to the goal of the Paris Agreement?