The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change, adopted in 2015, by 196 parties including the European Union and 195 countries. It aims to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
One of the key aspects of the Paris Agreement is the concept of parts per million (ppm). Ppm is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is present in the atmosphere in the form of gas per million molecules of air. The Paris Agreement aims to keep the ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere below 450 ppm in order to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The current ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere is around 415 ppm, which is the highest level in the past 800,000 years. This is alarming because the increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere is primarily caused by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. This increase in CO2 levels is causing significant changes in the Earth`s climate, such as rising sea levels, more intense storms, and more frequent wildfires.
To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, countries have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and transition to clean energy sources. This requires a significant shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Countries that fail to meet their emissions reduction targets may face financial penalties or other consequences.
In conclusion, the Paris Agreement and the concept of ppm are critical in addressing the global climate crisis. The world needs to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift towards renewable energy sources to keep the ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere below 450 ppm. By doing so, we can limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and protect our planet for future generations.