The celebrated 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change gave us a system where countries voluntarily do whatever they want. Recent analysis shows that countries’ commitments fall radically short of what’s needed to protect us from the global warming danger zone. And IPCC scientists warn us the climate is heating up faster than previously predicted. The world needs a new approach to protecting the planet and our future - quickly. In November, world leaders will gather at COP26, and could give us the stronger international system we need. Today, we discuss options for them to consider.
Theme music by Moby.
Background sculpture by Josh Sheldon.
Resources:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 8/9/21
UN Climate Change, 9/17/21
Climate Action Tracker, 9/15/21
UN Environment Programme, 12/9/20
Foreign Affairs, May/June 2020
(by William Nordhaus, 2018 Nobel Prize winner in economics)
Bloomberg Businessweek, 1/29/21
Council on Foreign Relations, 9/23/21