Link: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/obama-paris-climate-accord-bestpossible-shot-save-planet-n660446 See link above for original article and embedded hot links. October 5, 2016
Obama: Paris Climate Accord Best Possible Shot to 'Save' Planet by NBC News and Reuters A sweeping global agreement to combat climate change by shifting the world economy away from fossil fuels will take force next month after passing a threshold for ratification on Wednesday with support from European nations. President Obama, speaking from the Rose Garden, called the "Paris Agreement" potentially a "turning point" for our planet. "This gives us the best possible shot to save the one planet we've got," Obama said. Addressing climate change has been a core goal for the president and netting the Paris climate deal is considered a critical part of his environmental policy legacy. "One the reasons I took this office was to make America the leader in this mission," Obama said. Support for the Paris Agreement has widened to nations representing 56.75 percent of world greenhouse gas emissions, above the 55 percent needed for implementation, a U.N. website showed. The deal will formally start in 30 days. European Union countries including Germany, France and Slovakia, which have completed domestic ratification, helped trigger the formal entry into force after a green light from the European Parliament on Tuesday. The agreement, reached in December 2015, already has support from other major emitters led by China, the United States and India. In total, 72 countries out of 195 have ratified the agreement, according to the U.N. website. Several nations hailed the rapid ratification of an agreement meant to cut global greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, to limit floods, droughts, more powerful storms and rising ocean levels. However, on Wednesday, President Obama cautioned that more work remains.
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