The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) will take place in Paris from Nov 30th until Dec 11th. The conference objective is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, from all the nations of the world.
It is almost universally accepted that cooperative climate action is essential for the international community to keep the global average temperature rise below 2°C degrees, the internationally-agreed defense line against the worst impacts of climate change. Thus the conference represents the last best hope for the world to avert catastrophic climate change.
On the eve of the Paris summit, people all over the world are urged to take to the streets to demand governments rise above narrow self interest and put the needs of the planet first.
As Pope Francis says in his recent encyclical ‘Laudate Si’, ‘enforceable international agreements are urgently needed’ #173 and ‘we need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all’ #14.
One way of making our voice heard in that important conversation is to join the millions around the world who will participate in one of the many global climate marches taking place on the weekend preceding the start of the conference. Check the 350.org website and enter the name of your location to find your nearest event.