10 Key Moments In The Climate Change Fight

Mon Nov 04 05:08:59 UTC 2024: ## World Faces Historic Climate Crisis as UN Summit Looms

With the UN climate summit set to begin in Azerbaijan next week, the world is grappling with a mounting climate crisis. As global temperatures reach record highs, a look back at key milestones highlights the urgency of the situation.

**1988:** The UN establishes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to investigate the growing evidence of global warming.

**1992:** The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro leads to the creation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

**1997:** The Kyoto Protocol is signed, setting binding targets for industrialized nations to reduce emissions. However, the US withdraws its support, hindering progress.

**2007:** The IPCC confirms the reality of climate change and the likelihood of increased extreme weather events. The panel and former US Vice President Al Gore share the Nobel Peace Prize for their work.

**2009:** The Copenhagen summit fails to produce a concrete agreement for the post-2012 period, despite a call for limiting global temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius.

**2015:** The Paris Agreement marks a turning point, with nearly every nation committing to limit warming well below 2 degrees Celsius, with a target of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

**2018:** Greta Thunberg’s school strike movement ignites global youth activism, demanding more ambitious climate action from world leaders.

**2022:** The Montreal Biodiversity Agreement sets a goal of protecting 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030.

**2023:** The COP28 summit in Dubai produces a landmark deal to transition away from fossil fuels, a significant step towards mitigating climate change.

**2024:** The northern summer of 2024 sees the highest global temperatures ever recorded, with August temperatures exceeding the crucial 1.5-degree Celsius threshold.

As the UN climate summit approaches, the world is facing a historic moment. The stark reality of climate change is undeniable, and the need for urgent, collective action is more critical than ever. The success of the summit will depend on the commitment of nations to deliver concrete and effective solutions.