The Day a Climate Change Revolution was Begun

On Saturday 12^th December 2015, a momentous agreement was concluded by delegates from 196 nations around the world. Coming together from various and varied backgrounds, with hugely different interests and issues to champion, these world leaders signed a joint agreement to tackle climate change head-on, limiting a global rise in the world’s temperature by a legal maximum of 2°C and aiming for the “acceptable” hike of 1.5°C.

Although the deal is not without its flaws or its critics, it does represent an impressive and unprecedented concerted effort on the part of politicians and diplomats the world over to come together to address what has been dubbed as the “single greatest threat facing our planet today”.

The Particulars of the Deal

• A legally binding limit to prevent the global temperature rising above 2°C, with an aim to avoid a rise of above 1.5°C.
• Regular reviews and checks in place to verify that countries are reaching their respective targets and keeping to their pledges.
• Ongoing scientific analysis to assess whether further commitment is required from nations to keep the globe on course with its temperature targets.
• $100 billion to be “mobilised” annually to provide developing countries with the support they need to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy habits.
• Necessary aid and support to be afforded to countries affected by meteorological disasters as a direct consequence of climate change.

Reaction to the Paris Agreement

• French President François Hollande: “In Paris, there have been many revolutions over the centuries. Today it is the most beautiful and the most peaceful revolution that has just been accomplished - a revolution for climate change.”
•  Angela Merkel, German Chancellor: “[The deal is a] sign of hope that we will manage to secure the life conditions of billions of people for the future.”
• Foreign French Minister Laurent Fabius, quoting Nelson Mandela: “‘None of us acting alone can achieve success.’ Success is within reach of all our hands working together. Together, in this room, you are going to decide on a historic agreement. The world is waiting with bated breath and is counting on us all. Thank you.”
• US President Barack Obama: The deal is “the best chance we have to save the one planet we have. We've shown that the world has both the will and the ability to take on this challenge.”
• Pope Francis: The deal will require “concerted effort and generous dedication on the part of everyone.”

After making the modern Catholic view on climate change abundantly clear several months ago, Pope Francis now underlines the fact that the Paris Agreement is only the first step in the right direction to redressing climate change. However, the very fact that the interpreter broke down in tears whilst translating Fabius’ words reflects the momentousness of the deal and the hope that it represents for the future of our planet.