UN Foundation Calls Signing of Paris Climate Agreement a Vital Step
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 22, 2016 -- At the United Nations today, 175 countries reaffirmed their commitment to ambitious climate action, coming together to sign the Paris Agreement that unites nearly every nation in a common endeavor against climate change. This agreement was the culmination of years of effort that concluded last December in Paris when states, spurred by their citizens, agreed to work to keep global temperature rise well below 2° Celsius to stave off the worst impacts of climate change on health, food security, and extreme weather. At today’s ceremony, a record-breaking 175 countries officially signed on to the agreement, with more signatures expected in the coming months. As further actions are taken at national levels to ratify or approve the agreement, the agreement will “enter into force,” once 55 countries that together produce at least 55 percent of the world’s emissions take that step.
On behalf of the United Nations Foundation, President and CEO Kathy Calvin saluted the significance of today’s event:
“Tackling climate change is essential to humanity’s future and prospects. This historic signing of the Paris Agreement is crucial to every value we hold dear and every aspiration we have, from eradicating extreme poverty and combating disease to putting all our economies on a prosperous long-term footing.
“The Paris Agreement sends a clear signal that the transformation of the global economy to low-emission, climate-resilient growth is beneficial, already under way, and ultimately inevitable. We must now move from ideas to action, taking bolder and even more ambitious steps to protect people and our planet.”
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About the UN Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information go to http://www.unfoundation.org
Tina Musoke, United Nations Foundation, http://www.unfoundation.org, +1 2022438284, [email protected]
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