8 reasons for hope in the face of climate change
Published by the World Wildlife Fund
Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing people, wildlife, and the planet. From warming temperatures to more extreme weather, communities around the world are already feeling the impacts.
But we can create a safer and resilient future if we work together to rethink the way we produce and consume energy, food, and water; protect the world’s forests; and help people prepare for inevitable change.
Such a task can feel overwhelming and daunting at times. After all, doing so requires swift and collective movement from every nation at a time when visions don’t always align. However, if we look closer, there is reason for hope. We have a global roadmap to address climate change—the historic Paris Agreement. And we are already riding a wave of momentum of climate action, coming from different parts of society.
At WWF, we’re engaging with millions of Americans, leading businesses, and government leaders to tackle climate change.
Here are eight reasons why we’re hopeful in the face of this threat:
1. Nearly 200 countries adopted a landmark global plan to curb climate change in the years to come, known as the Paris Agreement. Now countries must come back to the table every five years to stay on track.
2. In the US, more than 1,000 businesses, 250 college and university presidents and 75 Mayors back climate action. These leaders are calling on Washington to support the Paris Agreement and accelerate low-carbon policies.
3. Half of America’s Fortune 500 companies have a goal to cut climate pollution. Their efforts are equivalent of taking over 40 coal fired power plants offline for a year.
4. 65 American companies pledge to power their operations with renewable energy—the equivalent of powering 4.8 million American homes with the same. These businesses are calling for greater access to renewable energy across America to power their businesses, and are encouraging other companies to follow their lead.
5. More than 60 US cities have set targets exceeding current US emissions reduction target. Cities’ emissions reductions are a critical piece of the US ability to deliver strong action on climate change, and they are necessary to America’s energy security and economic prosperity.
6. 187 countries and territories, 3000+ landmarks and millions of people turned off their lights for Earth Hour 2017, the world’s largest global movement on climate action.
7. More than 3.3 million Americans are employed in the clean energy economy. That’s more American jobs than all US jobs in traditional fossil fuels combined.
8. You! People like you who care about climate change are standing together and taking action. On April 29, 2017, hundreds of thousands of people will march in Washington, DC, and other cities worldwide to show that they want to create a clean energy future and protect our planet.
Join WWF at the People’s Climate March on April 29, 2017.
Read the full article at: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WWFStories/~3/F5oDzxwrkyc/8-reasons-for-hope-in-the-face-of-climate-change
