In 1992, world leaders met at the Rio Earth Summit to discuss climate change for the first time as a global society. During this meeting, the UN Framework on Climate Change was created. The purpose of the Framework was to define actions needed to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (which absorb heat from the sun) and to avoid anthropogenic interference with the climate system. By 1994, the Framework was adopted by nearly every UN member. Annually, the Conference of Parties (COP) meets to ascertain the implementation of the Framework on a global scale. So what makes the Paris climate talks this month so different? Why all the hype?
For the first time in more than 20 years of negotiations regarding climate change, the COP aimed to create a legally binding and universal agreement. Specifically, the goal was an agreement to keep the global temperature rise below 2°C. Why does a global temperature increase of 2°C (3.6°F) matter? The important thing to remember is that it’s a global and sustained temperature increase, not a temporary one occurring in isolated areas around the globe. Temporary temperature fluctuations happen daily as part of the day-night cycle and with seasonal changes. The temperature where you live probably fluctuates by several degrees throughout the day and especially at night. This is a natural phenomena that life on Earth has adapted to. The key here is that the daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations are within “normal” parameters. The ecosystems and organisms that survive around the globe have evolved to thrive within the limits of these temperature fluctuations. Now, imagine if the sustained global temperatures were to increase by 2°C. You may not consider this drastic in your own life, wearing a jacket in December instead of a winter coat. But to the ecosystems around the world, 2°C is beyond their threshold of life.
A recent report from the World Wildlife Federation suggests that with a 1.5 - 2.5°C global temperature rise, about 20 - 30% of the planet’s plants and animals would disappear, unable to adapt to the changing environment. Although hard to imagine, think about what happens to a house plant when it doesn’t get enough sunlight or water in a week. It doesn’t take much to disrupt the balance of the world’s ecosystems.
The outcome of the 2015 Climate Summit in Paris will have long standing impacts on the health of the world’s ecosystems as well as our own way of life.
2015 Climate Summit
Why all the Buzz?
oceanfirsteducation.com
By Catherine E. Christopher
SEVENSEAS - 35