The United Nations yesterday said that 175 states took the first step of signing the Paris deal on Friday, the biggest day one endorsement of a global agreement. Of those, 15 states also formally notified the United Nations that they had ratified the deal.
Many countries still need a parliamentary vote to formally approve the agreement, which was reached in December. The deal will enter into force only when ratified by at least 55 nations representing 55 percent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
China and the United States, the world’s top producers of greenhouse gas emissions, pledged to formally adopt by the end of the year a Paris deal to slow global warming, raising the prospects of it being enforced much faster than anticipated.
Once the accord enters into force, a little-noted Article 28 of the agreement says any nation wanting to withdraw must wait four years, the length of a U.S. presidential term.
The deal also requires rich nations to maintain a $100 billion a year funding pledge beyond 2020, providing greater financial security to developing nations to build their defenses to extreme weather and wean themselves away from coal-fired power.
“We need to mobilize the necessary financial resources,” French President Francois Hollande said. “We need to ensure that our words become actions.”
The U.N.’s previous climate deal, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol entered into force only in 2005. Kyoto dictated cuts in greenhouse gas emissions only for developed nations, unlike the Paris Agreement which involves both rich and poor but lets all countries set national targets.
All these updates regarding the Paris Deal raised hopes for many environmentalists around the world. Many people were commenting and tweeting on social media. How did people around the world respond to the agreement on social media platforms?
“No more talk, no more excuses”, was said by Leonardo Di Caprio. Hundreds of people were re-tweeting this tweet.
#ParisAgreement was signed marking an impt. step in ensuring a livable future. We have the tools to prevent disaster https://t.co/acgjpNKuyN
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) April 22, 2016
UNICEF had a strong tweet: Powerful moment earlier today as 197 children form #ClimateChain in front of world leaders! #ParisAgreement
Powerful moment earlier today as 197 children form #ClimateChain in front of world leaders! #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/dqygiR4uKF
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) April 22, 2016
A beautiful photo tweeted by United Nations photo was: US Secretary of State @JohnKerry signs #ParisAgreement at @UN w/ granddaughter looking on.
US Secretary of State @JohnKerry signs #ParisAgreement at @UN w/ granddaughter looking on pic.twitter.com/5mZjgzsMod
— United Nations Photo (@UN_Photo) April 22, 2016
These were other Tweets by people around the world, using #ParisAgreement hashtag, which was a trending hashtag yesterday:
The #ParisAgreement has been signed!NextStep:ratification& #COP22.How ll host country #Morocco #ActOnClimate?pic.twitter.com/CmyGc8FynU v @UNDP
— Nili Majumder (@NiliMajumder) April 23, 2016
@POTUS #PARISAGREEMENT IS GREAT STEP OF HUMANITY ON THE WAY OF CREATION “NOONOMY”- WISE ECONOMY OF NOOSPHERE ! #ERARAJ #LIVETESTAMENT
— Gennady ZHEREBILOV (@JeRebeLove) April 23, 2016
Today, the US joined some 170 nations to sign the Paris Agreement – an historic step this Earth Day to protect the one planet we’ve got.
— President Obama (@POTUS) April 22, 2016
I hope in a few decades we look back on unleaded fuel the same way we look back on leaded. #Poisonous #ParisAgreement
— Brad Whiteside (@Holy_Shadows) April 23, 2016
Great speech ! https://t.co/8TsFTEKOJB lähteestä @youtube @LeoDiCaprio #ParisAgreement
— Jenina Haapanen (@HaapanenJenina) April 23, 2016
All these tweets, and many more flooding twitter since yesterday show people’s awareness, and the world leader’s concern towards the planet. We have to wait and see how the world countries will implement this agreement….
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