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Essay / How China and Paris plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Table of contentsClimate changeClimate change skepticImportance of China in the climate change debateParis climate agreementPersuading developing countries to reduce their carbon emissionsConclusionClimate changeThe emission of carbon gases into the atmosphere causes climate change. Global warming results from greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere. These gases have enormous impacts on the environment, including rising ocean levels, increased temperatures, extreme storms, reduced food crops, and drought, to name a few ( Shorr 2014). Several talks held before the Paris Summit did not produce the same fruitful results. Several summits have taken place to get countries around the world to reduce their carbon emissions. It is truly unfortunate that most of these meetings end without a solution (Oberthür & Wyns 2015). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayHowever, in December 2015, France held a successful meeting, during which China and other countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce their impact. on the environment. The summit brought together countries who agreed on several deliberations that, if implemented, would have positive implications for environmental changes (Jayaraman 2015). This article seeks to address the arguments of climate change skeptics, the importance of China in the Paris summit, and the policies they are pursuing to combat global warming. It will also analyze the summit and the reasons for the difficulty in convincing developing countries to reduce their carbon emissions. Climate Change Skeptics There is a problem, a major problem indeed. The world must find a solution and make changes. However, individuals hide behind pretexts that promote climate skepticism. Sibley and Kurz argue that climate skepticism is propaganda claiming that global warming is nothing but natural and that; human activities have nothing to do with it. These individuals are trying to use any means to prove that climate change is a scam. They also attempt to discredit real and true climate advances using false scientific research. McKibben's argument, however, dispels fears that humans are not responsible for abnormal climate change (McKibben 2014). The discovery of the ozone hole caused by CFCs discredits arguments that humans are the cause of unusual changes in the environment. Furthermore, governments that have a huge stake in this matter are trying to hide the ugly truth from the general population by sowing uncertainty and false information (Sibley and Kurz 2013). Importance of China in the climate change debate According to Browne, China is an economic giant, which rarely takes the necessary measures to solve the nightmare raging around the world, global warming. China wants to dine with the rich, but it nevertheless maintains a developing nation mindset (Browne 2015). However, it is noble to assert that China is a responsible nation given its position in Paris. It has a significant impact and role in the speed and direction of global warming. As China is one of the largest economies in the world, its greenhouse gas emissions areimmense. Their level of influence has even exceeded that of the European Union alone. He attributes this to significant growth in the energy sector and urbanization. Most worrying is that China's per capita emissions are projected to increase further by 2025. Previously, countries including China did not have a serious action plan to mitigate emissions. of greenhouse gases. The 2015 Paris Summit would therefore serve as a platform for countries to present their firm action plans (Oberthür & Wyns 2015). On the other hand, China has had to take a leading role in reducing emissions through agreements. The continued growth in carbon emission levels in the atmosphere has considerable implications for the climate. Countries have a responsibility to ensure they reduce their carbon emissions to manage global warming. Among them is China, which has an important interest in this issue. Therefore, China has implemented mitigation strategies that would enable it to reduce the level of global warming by reducing carbon emissions. China intends to limit its emissions to a relatively safer level, 2C with a target of 1.5c. According to Liu et al. China has rolled out a series of policies to help it meet its emissions target. Plans include promoting greenhouse energy, developing bright carbon buildings and transportation by 2020, and controlling HFC-23 emissions, to name a few. Additionally, the country is seeking to implement a cap-and-trade policy, which will significantly reduce carbon pollution. All of its plans aim for the country to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2020 (Liu et al., 2013). These are among the few policies China is pursuing to achieve the minimum level of carbon emissions in line with past global agreements. Paris climate agreement The French president presented the agreement, a 31-page draft, to more than 180 members for discussion. According to Jayaraman, the obvious expectation was that countries would find a solution to the threat of global warming. Remember that climate variations determine the future environmental state of planet Earth. Among the elements was the global temperature goal. This required every country to reduce carbon emissions to limit heat to a safer 2°C and an aspiration of 1.5. Second, the agreement contained the long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions to reach 2°C. Third, it was planned to take stock every five years as part of promoting accountability. Additionally, this goal would help track members' progress and set ambitious goals. The fourth and fifth factors, well discussed and agreed, are the mechanisms to address financial losses in the event of liability due to its effects and the commitment of financial support to enable developing countries to adopt control strategies. against climate change (Jayaraman 2015). The agreement has both active and negative implications according to Jayaraman's view. The positive side is that it encourages accountability among nations to ensure that 2°C is achievable. Additionally, it provides a platform for tracking countries' progress toward achieving the long-term goals contained in the agreement. No country will face sanctions if it fails to meet its contribution to the long-term goal. However, sanctions are not part of the treaty and therefore may still allow countries to be reluctant. Accountability would be difficult to achieve due to poor governance (Jayaraman). To the extent that.