The Paris Agreement will officially go into effect thirty days from today, after 72 countries, representing 56.75% of greenhouse gas emissions, announced they had ratified the deal.
In reaction, Oxfam America’s Climate Change Manager, Heather Coleman made the following statement:
“Today the Paris Agreement takes full legal effect signaling that world leaders understand climate change as a serious issue that warrants urgent and immediate action. Oxfam congratulates the 72 countries that have ratified the Paris Agreement, bringing it into force less than a year after it was agreed.
“The Paris Agreement is a turning point in the global fight to end climate change, but the hard work begins now. While countries have all pledged to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, the collective commitments made are still not enough to prevent dangerous climate change. Countries need to implement and scale up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a clean, resilient economy.
“Oxfam estimates that the communities most vulnerable to feeling the effects of climate change are only receiving a fraction of the money that rich countries pledged to adaption. Figuring out how to close this gap and strengthen the resilience of these communities should be high on the list of priorities ahead of November’s United Nations climate change conference in Morocco.
“Here in the US, we must lead by example by investing in a clean, resilient energy economy and infrastructure. Oxfam praises President Obama for his global leadership helping to achieve the Paris agreement. We call on the next administration to build upon the current commitments in building low-carbon climate resilient economies here and abroad.”
