Join the Call for an Ambitious Global Climate Agreement in Paris

The international climate negotiations in Paris are rapidly approaching a critical juncture, when leaders from nearly 200 countries will decide whether we leave with the first comprehensive global agreement to reduce carbon pollution. The National Wildlife Federation is in Paris working to ensure that the agreement finalized at the end of this week will limit global warming to 1.5^oC and chart a course for people and wildlife that avoids the worst impacts of climate change.

Help NWF seize this opportunity to call for an ambitious and fair climate agreement that will limit dangerous climate pollution and ensure protections for people and wildlife.

Share on Facebook or tweet this message to President Obama urging him to finalize an ambitious climate agreement!

Over the last two weeks, government parties have converged on Paris, France for the United Nations climate negotiations – commonly referred to as “COP21” (which is easier to say than 21^st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Conversion on Climate Change). The text being negotiated is currently being referred to as the “Paris Agreement”. The latest draft text has been greatly streamlined from previous versions, and it contains most of the ingredients government negotiators need to craft an ambitious global climate agreement that could limit warming to 1.5^oC.

But time is short and many hard decisions need to be made before COP21 comes to a close this week and high-level diplomats return to their home countries.

The final agreement needs to bring governments back to the table before 2020 to improve the current carbon pollution reduction pledges they’ve each made over the course of the year. Many experts calculate that these pledges, currently called “INDCs” (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) are a good start, but still too weak to avoid serious impacts from climate change.

These INDCs (or whatever name they come to be called in the ultimate agreement) should be reviewed frequently and strengthened as needed to ensure they set us on the 1.5^oC path. Developed countries also need to assure that developing countries are receiving the necessary finance and technical assistance they need to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

The land sector, including agriculture, forestry, and land use change like deforestation, contributes almost a quarter of all global emissions; yet it can also help to greatly reduce the magnitude and effects of global climate change – all with added benefits for wildlife by conserving critical habitat. Given this importance, we believe that all national pledges should account for the land sector in a manner that maintains environmental integrity.

Governments must also be transparent about how they account for emissions reductions in the sector. This requires a clear set of rules, based on the best-available science. The National Wildlife Federation staff in Paris are actively fighting to ensure sound accounting principles – for all sectors – are solidly enshrined in the final Agreement.

Bolstered by speeches from President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and other global leaders, our staff is increasingly optimistic as we watch the general consensus form that the Paris Agreement, for the first time in history, will apply to all countries and that all will participate. The tone of the talks in Paris right now is showing an unprecedented level of support and willingness to reach a strong, comprehensive, and ambitious climate deal that sets us on the path we need for the benefit of wildlife and our children’s future.

Help NWF seize this opportunity to call for an ambitious and fair climate agreement that will limit dangerous climate pollution and ensure protections for people and wildlife.

Share a post on Facebook or retweet on Twitter urging President Obama to finalize an ambitious climate agreement!