A Miracle of Unity at COP21

To remember

The author Lorna Gold who works for the Irish NGO Trócaire as Head of Policy and Advocacy, was a few weeks ago deeply doubtful herself whether a meaningful agreement could be reached.

result of many years’ negotiations, tireless campaigning, many prayers and many false starts => For the first time, the entire world, all 195 countries – literally everyone – came together to agree to take united action on climate change. => agreed to make this legally binding + took a step together to save our planet. = a universal, equitable (of sorts) +  legally binding agreement as outcome of a peaceful, negotiated political process. <= result of the most complex and protracted negotiation in history.

spirit of Nelson Mandela seemed to hover => a rare, sweet moment of global celebration

The agreement = nowhere near perfect

very existence is little short of a miracle

many flaws = long on vision and ambition –  stating need to keep temperatures below 1.5 degrees = short on action

Mechanisms for financing = still to be worked out

to make increasing commitments to reduce emissions over the coming years.

La Seine Hall where the Paris Agreement was agreed

Tackling climate change = long road => require global collaboration

Overcoming short-sighted, narrow-minded political world view = biggest obstacle + led  world to the cliff.

Paris sends signal to the world that success = caring for our planet can only be a good thing. => power to change global zeitgeist

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Preceding articles:

Postponing once more

Summary for the year 2015 #1 Threat and fear

Summary for the year 2015 # 2 Strewn with corpses and refugees

Paris World Summit of Conscience, International interfaith gathering #1

2015 Ecology

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Additional reading

1. Here and now
2. Temperatures rising
3. First man’s task still counting today
4. The natural beauties of life
5. 2015 Summit of Consciences for the Climate
6. Senator Loren Legarda says climate change not impossible to address
7. Vatican meeting of mayors talking about global warming, human trafficking and modern-day slavery
8. Solidarité: The Paris Attack and the Refugee Crisis

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Related articles

• The Meaning of Paris: Hope (ucsusa.org)
• Climate change fight plan drafted (nation.co.ke)
• South Africa debates taboo question: Was Mandelaa (myjhb.co.za)
• 6 quotes from Nelson Mandela that keep us fighting for a better world (one.org)
• Weekend Music Break – Madiba The 5th December Edition (africasacountry.com)
• Prince Harry ends South Africa tour by visiting Nelson Mandela’s widow (telegraph.co.uk)
• Was Nelson Mandela a Sellout? Freedom Fighter’s Legacy and Loyalty Is Being Questioned by Some South Africans (atlantablackstar.com)

charityandjustice

Something important happened in Paris this weekend which could change the course of history. For the first time, the entire world, all 195 countries – literally everyone – came together to agree to take united action on climate change. They agreed to make this legally binding and took a step together to save our planet. It was the result of many years’ negotiations, tireless campaigning, many prayers and many false starts. But they finally did it.

This sense of history was evident in the speeches made and in the emotion that pervaded the normally reserved conference halls. On Saturday, there were extraordinary scenes of big smiles, warm hugs, kisses, tears, singing, cheering. It was a triumph of unity over division, global solidarity over national interests, hope over despair. Witnessing those scenes of euphoria, you could not fail to get swept up in the emotion and believe in the power of what was happening. History weighed heavily in the…

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