key term - Paris Agreement on Climate Change

Definition

The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a landmark international treaty adopted in 2015 that aims to address global warming by limiting the rise in average global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. This agreement marks a collective effort by countries around the world to combat climate change through nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and long-term climate strategies, highlighting the ethical responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Paris Agreement encourages all countries to set and regularly update their NDCs, reflecting their ambitions and capabilities in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Developed nations are expected to provide financial and technological support to developing nations to help them mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts.
3. The agreement includes a mechanism for accountability, requiring countries to report on their progress and enhance their efforts over time.
4. One key goal of the Paris Agreement is to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels.
5. The Paris Agreement represents a significant shift from previous climate agreements by incorporating binding commitments for all participating nations, regardless of their development status.

Review Questions

• How does the Paris Agreement aim to ethically address the issue of climate change among developed and developing nations?
  • The Paris Agreement recognizes that developed nations have historically contributed more to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore have a greater ethical responsibility to lead in mitigation efforts. It establishes mechanisms for financial and technological support from developed countries to assist developing nations in reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts. This approach emphasizes equity and fairness in addressing climate change challenges, acknowledging that not all nations have the same capacity or resources.
• Discuss the implications of the Paris Agreement's accountability mechanisms for countries' climate action commitments.
  • The accountability mechanisms in the Paris Agreement are designed to ensure transparency and encourage countries to take meaningful actions toward their climate goals. By requiring nations to report on their progress and set increasingly ambitious NDCs, the agreement fosters a culture of responsibility among signatories. This not only builds trust among countries but also creates pressure for continuous improvement in addressing climate change effectively.
• Evaluate the potential long-term impacts of the Paris Agreement on global environmental ethics and international cooperation.
  • The Paris Agreement has significant potential long-term impacts on global environmental ethics by establishing a framework that emphasizes collective action, equity, and shared responsibilities in combating climate change. This can lead to increased international cooperation as countries recognize their interdependence in addressing global warming. The ethical implications also extend beyond environmental concerns, influencing policies related to social justice, economic equity, and sustainable development as nations strive to fulfill their commitments under the agreement.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming; major examples include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often linked to environmental protection and social equity.

Climate Justice: The concept that addresses the ethical dimensions of climate change, emphasizing fairness in how its impacts and responsibilities are shared among different countries and communities.