The UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) is an international treaty. It aims to regulate greenhouse gases and prevent humans from causing damage to the climate system. The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro negotiated the convention and it has been ratified orally by 197 other countries.
The UNFCCC was created with three fatal flaws. First, there was no formal rule of procedura; second, the secretariat of the UNFCCC wasn't large enough; thirdly it didn't allow for environmental-sound technology transfer to be made easier. It was nevertheless the first intergovernmental mechanism to regulate the climate change. This treaty has been the foundation of many international negotiations.
The Convention states that "climate change should not impede sustainable development", and that it should be arrested in a timeframe that allows ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change. While it does not place enforceable obligations on signatories for reducing GHGs, the Convention does provide a framework to help them develop national climate change plans. The UNFCCC acknowledges biological systems' importance in assessing whether climate change must be addressed.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the main decision-making body of the UNFCCC. The COP is where governments and representatives of all 190 parties discuss and debate global climate policies and measures. A party must submit its National Communication once it has ratified the convention. The UNFCCC considers a country's National Communication a report that details its current mitigation or adaptation policies. Each four years, developing nations must submit their National Communication.
The UNFCCC is an important piece of legislation that governs international climate negotiations. It was the basis for 2015 Paris Agreement. The agreement aims to keep the average temperature of the earth this century below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The UNFCCC was established in 1992 and has served as a resource for scientific information on the climate problem.
The UNFCCC has contributed to international policies by focusing its attention on the topic of climate change's extinction risk. This is a topic that has received increasing attention in recent years.
In 2013, UNFCCC established a mechanism called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. This allows developing countries to customize their plans to fit the needs of their respective countries. The Conference of the Parties receives timely advice from the Subsidiary Body of Scientific and Technological Advice.
The UNFCCC has been a key step towards reducing climate change. But there is much controversy about how well it has worked. Earlier COPs have set the record for the largest gathering of world leaders in history. COP23, for instance, approved the Gender Action Plan. The GAP has been a driving force in efforts to address climate change with gender-responsive approaches. Nevertheless, UNFCCC has not made it easier for developing nations to transfer environmentally sound technology to them, and some Least Developed Countries still have not ratified this treaty within the last five to 15 years.
FAQ
What is the role of individual and community members in addressing climate changes?
Climate change is one of the biggest contemporary challenges we face today. It is a major issue that affects everyone. Individual action and collective attention are needed to make an impact.
Individuals play a key role in combating climate change and reducing its effects. Everyday behaviors can include anything from reducing waste and consuming consciously, going through changes in lifestyle such as switching to a vegetarian diet, consuming less meat, using public transportation more often, and choosing more sustainable materials in clothing and home decor. They can also take part in advocacy and support initiatives that promote sustainability in their communities.
The key to addressing climate change at a larger scale is also the role of communities. They can help reduce carbon emissions by promoting sustainable energy sources, improving infrastructure for electric vehicles and cycling, and encouraging waste management through composting. Collaboration is crucial for the achievement of this mission.
Civic education regarding climate change is essential from the beginning of education and throughout the lifelong learning process. This will allow individuals to be more aware and connected to other societies, even if they are not located near us.
Ultimately employers have a major responsibility when it comes to fighting climate change: introducing corporate practices focused on sustainability and opting for green alternatives whenever possible will undoubtedly yield positive results both economically and sociologically speaking.
The collective efforts of individuals, communities and businesses will all play a significant role in addressing global warming and defending humanity from the long-term effects of climate change.
How does human activity contribute to climate change?
Climate change is a major contributor to human activity. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) states that humans are responsible more than 70% for global warming in the past 20 years.
Burning Fossil Fuels: Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This raises the already existing atmospheric levels of CO2 which acts as an "greenhouse gas", trapping heat from Earth's surface and increasing temperatures. This results in higher ocean levels because Arctic ice mellows and causes weather patterns to change around the world, which can lead to severe storms, droughts or floods. These could impact food production and pose a threat to human health.
Deforestation: Deforestation knocks out trees which sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide in their trunks when they take it up during photosynthesis. Cutting down forests also increases albedo - the amount of reflected solar radiation coming back into space - reducing solar heat absorption by the earth's surface thus promoting excessive warming at the global level. As well decreases local air quality with deforestation being linked permanently with respiratory issues.
Farming is responsible for 14% to 18% of all anthropogenic greenhouse emissions globally each year. Due to the high levels of methane bacteria in animal waste, methane gas is released into the atmosphere in large quantities. Changing your diet to less or no animal products can help reduce this contribution. Smog from ground-level ozone can harm our respiratory system and make our lives more hazardous.
In conclusion, while human activity has had an adverse impact on our environment for centuries, technological advances have made it possible to turn our attention towards the future. We can leverage technology through green innovation to help us move forward in our efforts to reduce climate change and keep everyone safe.
How can climate change be mitigated or reduced in its impact?
There are many ways to reduce or mitigate the impact of climate change. These include reducing greenhouse gases emissions by using better energy practices and other sources of electricity, improving land management, protecting forests and wild places, protecting against extreme weather, investing in sustainable transport, strengthening early warning system for disasters, starting a research programme on the impact climate change has on biodiversity and ecosystems. Also investing in green technologies like solar cells or wind turbines, encouraging sustainable consume habits, and implementing environmental regulations across all segments of society. It is important to increase public awareness about climate change as it makes people feel accountable for their actions.
Statistics
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- The 10 countries with the largest emissions contribute 68 percent. (un.org)
- The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 per cent of total emissions. (un.org)
External Links
How To
How to support climate-friendly policies and companies
Individuals can take several steps to support climate-friendly policies and companies. This can include speaking out against non-climate-friendly businesses or politicians, voting for pro-environment candidates, writing letters or emails of encouragement to those who are already taking positive action towards the environment, and signing petitions in favor of policies that encourage and support climate-friendliness. Individuals can also choose to switch providers to companies with a better environmental record, or opt for sustainable products over ones with higher carbon emission.
In order to support climate-friendly policies, it is crucial that one reduces his or her carbon footprint. This could be done by changing everyday habits such as not plugging appliances or turning off lights, using public transportation, carpooling or using other means to get around, and using eco-friendly household items such as biodegradable cleaning materials and composting kitchen leftovers.
Investors who want to support climate friendly policies should search for companies with lower carbon emissions prior to investing. Additionally, they should look into their portfolios periodically to ensure they meet the sustainability standards they have set themselves ahead of time. Green bond investors will want to ensure their investments do not fund any activity that releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than it takes away. Investors should be alert to opportunities where funds can be converted towards green business activities like renewable energy alternatives or other initiatives promoting sustainability, such as community-building projects based on green technologies.