As the world grapples with the existential threat of climate change, it’s easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom. We’re constantly bombarded with dire warnings about the catastrophe that awaits us if we don’t act fast. But what if I told you that, despite the nay-sayers and the nays, there are international agreements on climate change that are actually working? That’s right – I said it. There are treaties and agreements out there that are making a real difference in the fight against climate change.
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Take, for example, the Paris Agreement, signed by nearly 200 countries in 2015. This accord set a goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C (2.7°F). It’s not perfect, and it’s had its share of setbacks, but the fact remains that it’s the most ambitious and far-reaching climate deal in history. And it’s not just a piece of paper – countries are actually making progress on their commitments.
But the Paris Agreement is just one of many international agreements on climate change that are having a real impact. The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, banned the production of substances that deplete the ozone layer, and has since been amended to include measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol, signed in 1997, established a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions, and may have even helped to slow the growth of emissions in some countries.
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And then there’s the international agreement that’s often overlooked, but is making a big difference: the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This treaty, signed in 1973, regulates the international trade of threatened species, including those that are vulnerable to climate change. By reducing the demand for products like ivory and rhino horn, CITES is helping to protect not just individual species, but also the ecosystems they inhabit.
So why aren’t these agreements getting more attention? Part of the reason is that the media loves a good disaster story, and climate change is often portrayed as a looming apocalypse. But the truth is that there are many people and organizations working tirelessly to address this crisis, and they’re making progress.
Of course, there’s still much work to be done. The climate crisis is a massive, complex, and multifaceted problem, and it’s going to take a sustained effort from governments, businesses, and individuals to solve it. But the fact that international agreements on climate change are actually working should give us hope. It shows that, even in the face of overwhelming odds, we can make a difference when we work together.
So let’s not give up on these agreements just yet. Let’s keep pushing for more ambition, more action, and more results. Because the truth is, we’re not just fighting for the future of the planet – we’re fighting for our own future, and the future of generations to come.
