Front Page Talking Points

FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 14, 2015

Protecting the planet: Nations pledge to cut fossil fuels and expand use of cleaner energy

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1.gifRead follow-up conference news coverage. Summarize reaction quotes or comments about what's ahead.

2.gifNow try to find an editorial, commentary column or other opinion page item about this topic. Why do you support or question the main point?

3.gifTell how any weather-related article or photo shows the importance of climate on our lives.

Sweeping words such as "historic," "landmark" and "monumental" describe the results of a two-week global conference in Paris. Delegates from 195 countries agree for the first time to lower planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions to help avoid the most drastic effects of climate change. The deal puts nations on a course that could fundamentally change how energy is produced and consumed, gradually reducing reliance on fossil fuels in favor of cleaner energy. "Though the deal did not achieve all that environmentalists, scientists and some countries had hoped for," The New York Times reports, "it set the table for more efforts to slow the slide toward an unlivable planet."

Earlier agreements required developed economies like the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but exempted developing countries such as China and India. Now every country is required to take some action. Some provisions are voluntary, while others are legally binding. "This is a tremendous victory . . . for all of the planet, and for future generations," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said at the meeting.

The new deal to cut emissions doesn't solve global warming, which scientists warn could bring higher sea levels, severe droughts and floods, wide food and water shortages, and more destructive storms. But the turning-point agreement marks a major shift in global economic policy to halt, and eventually reduce, the rise in carbon emissions that started during the Industrial Revolution.

President Obama says: "We came together around the strong agreement that we needed. We met the moment." – Speaking Saturday night at the White House

UN leader says: "History will remember this day. The Paris agreement on climate change is a monumental success for the planet and its people." -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

U.S. senator says: "While this is a step forward, it goes nowhere near far enough. The planet is in crisis." -- Bernie Sanders, D-Vet., a 2016 presidential candidate

Front Page Talking Points is written by Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2024

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Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.