Pre-reading questions:
- What do you think is the effect of climate change to living things on Earth?
- What do you think is the difference between a developed and a developing country?
MARRAKESH, MOROCCO– One hundred ninety-six world nations gather for the Paris Agreement amidst US elections. The Paris Agreement ties all countries, developed and developing to end global warming. Despite the gathering of fifteen thousand stakeholders for the twelve-day UN talks, the world is focused on US elections, which could propel climate denier Donald Trump to US Presidency. 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 maintain Obama’s policies in ending global warming.
Issues on each nations’ CO2 emissions shall be addressed in 2018. 2018 shall also be the year for high-stakes discussions when each nation will 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 aims to reduce the chance of global warming at under 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit or even 2.7 degrees if possible. Laurence Tubiana, France’s top climate negotiator says that the emissions gap must be plugged.
Vocabulary:
amidst- during
propel- push
denier- one who denies
emissions- release
plugged- seal
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the Paris Agreement?
- How many days will the UN talks be held?
- Who promised to maintain Obama’s policies in ending global warming?
- When will the issues on CO2 emissions be addressed?
- Earth might heat up to as high as 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit. If the Paris Agreement succeeds to reduce global warming by 2.7 degrees, how many degrees will be the new temperature?
Express Your Opinion:
- What do you think is the cause of global warming? Why?
- Why do you think US President Barack Obama warned that all the steps made for climate change now depends on the votes of the American citizens?
- Do you think the aim of the Paris Agreement is possible? Why?