90-Nation Coalition Aims for Ambitious Climate Change Deal
Among its goals, the coalition of countries, including the U.S., wants an agreement that the world must aim as soon as possible to hold global warming to 1.5-degree Celsius and work toward a long-term low-carbon future
By David Biello
SUBSCRIBE TO Science Quickly
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
On December 9th, the day when protesters finally made an appearance, a new coalition emerged here at the climate talks in Paris. A group of some 90 nations, including the U.S., unites rich and poor, big and small. The goal is to ensure a strong global deal to combat climate change.
Such an agreement would include recognition that the world must aim as soon as possible to hold global warming to 1.5-degree Celsius; a long-term low-carbon future; 5-year updated action plans that recognize the developing climate reality; and aid to those countries that did little to cause climate change but are most at risk from it.
All of those elements are in the latest draft of the Paris agreement, but most points are still up for debate. U.S. lead negotiator Todd Stern called this new coalition exactly what the climate talks need to avoid a deal that fails to take strong action to combat climate change. As Secretary of State John Kerry put it here today: "Ladies and gentlemen, the situation demands, and this moment demands, that we do not leave Paris without an ambitious, inclusive and durable global climate agreement…First and foremost, we need an agreement that is as ambitious as possible. We don't lose anything for being ambitious." Except perhaps sleep during what is sure to be a hectic—and possibly boisterous—next few days.
—David Biello
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism
Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.
When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.
Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber
