What the world has gained (and lost) since the Paris Agreement

This week marks COP30 in Belém, Brazil — the 30th global climate summit since 1992, and 10 years since the Paris Agreement. Here’s a quick look at where we stand a decade after:

🌞 Good news: A decade ago, we were on track for 4–5°C of warming; now it’s closer to 2.8°C ... 2.4°C, if all national pledges are met! And every tenth of a degree we avoid means fewer devastating impacts ahead.

⚡ More good news: Clean energy is accelerating fast. Fossil fuel use is expected to peak before 2030, renewables are now cheaper almost everywhere, and solar output has grown twelve-fold. Seven countries already run entirely on renewable power.

🔥 Not-so-good news: 2024 was the hottest year on record, and 22 of 34 planetary “vital signs” are at record highs. We are, as the latest State of the Climate report warns, on “the brink.”

🏙️ What you can do: While national negotiators debate long-term targets, many of the most effective actions are happening closer to home. Your voice and your advocacy for local action in our cities and communities can help build the positive tipping points our planet needs.

Find where your country ranks on emissions and clean energy here.

Thank you to Anne Cloud with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Voice Over for the Planet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for narrating this edition of Talking Climate. 

Music by Bradley Myer.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.talkingclimate.ca