Paris Agreement

Definition

The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at combating climate change and its impacts by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. This landmark agreement emphasizes the need for nations to commit to greenhouse gas reduction strategies and to enhance adaptive capacities in response to climate change, thereby influencing climate change research and ocean acidification studies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015, during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, France.
2. As of now, nearly every country in the world is a signatory, reflecting a global consensus on addressing climate change.
3. Countries are required to submit their NDCs every five years, reflecting their progress and increasing ambition in reducing emissions.
4. The agreement encourages developed nations to provide financial and technological support to developing countries for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
5. A key goal of the Paris Agreement is to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate impacts, including ocean acidification.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement influence national policies regarding greenhouse gas emissions?
  • The Paris Agreement requires countries to set their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This approach encourages nations to tailor their climate policies based on their unique circumstances while promoting transparency through regular reporting. Consequently, the agreement fosters accountability among nations and drives a collective effort towards limiting global warming.
• In what ways does the Paris Agreement support ocean acidification research?
  • The Paris Agreement indirectly supports ocean acidification research by emphasizing the importance of reducing CO2 emissions. Since ocean acidification is primarily driven by increased CO2 absorption in seawater, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions helps protect marine ecosystems. By promoting global collaboration in scientific research, the agreement facilitates studies that assess ocean health and the impacts of acidification on marine life.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in achieving its goals related to global temperature limits and adaptation measures.
  • The effectiveness of the Paris Agreement in achieving its temperature limits remains a topic of debate among scientists and policymakers. While it has succeeded in uniting nearly all nations around a common goal of limiting warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, actual emission reductions have often fallen short of targets. Furthermore, while adaptation measures have been prioritized within the agreement, the extent to which countries implement these strategies varies widely. This ongoing disparity raises questions about how effectively the agreement translates commitments into tangible actions that adequately address climate change's impacts.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect; major examples include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Each country's individual commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Paris Agreement.

Climate Change Adaptation: Efforts and strategies aimed at adjusting social, economic, and environmental practices to minimize damage caused by climate change effects.