President Obama warned Monday in Paris that there is little time to act to halt the effects of climate change, and said the threat of climate change could define the 21st century.
“One of the enemies that we’ll be fighting at this conference is cynicism, the notion we can’t do anything about climate change,” Obama said the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also known as COP21. “Our progress should give us hope during these two weeks — hope that is rooted in collective action.”
“I believe in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that there is such a thing as being too late,” he added. “And, when it comes to climate change, that hour is almost upon us.”
One hundred ninety five countries from around the world are sending delegations to Paris for the next two weeks. The goal is to agree to a deal that would see each country agree to limit their carbon emissions to help slow the rate of climate change.
So far, the countries have submitted their plans to limit their carbon emissions but scientists say the plans aren’t enough to slow global warming past dangerous levels. According to the U.N., the plans would keep global warming to 2.7 degrees Celsius, as opposed to more than 4 degrees Celsius if nothing were done. However, the plans do not reach the 2-degree level needed to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Many scientists believe the burning of fossil fuels and the subsequent release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere cause climate change.
Obama pledged the United States would reduce carbon emissions between 26 and 28 percent below 2005 levels within 10 years. The centerpiece of Obama’s pledge, the Clean Power Plan that puts emissions restrictions on new and existing power plants, is currently under siege in Congress.
While in Paris, Obama seemed to ignore the rumblings back home and instead focus on his optimism that a deal can be reached.
“Here, in Paris, we can show the world what is possible when we come together, united in common effort and by a common purpose,” he said.
Obama met Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the two “reaffirmed their shared determination” as the two largest CO2 emitters to reach a deal in Paris. The two also discussed a number of other topics, including cyber attacks between the two countries, setting priorities for their relationship in 2016 and working together to support political regime change in Syria.
“The presidents recognize that the Paris conference presents a crucial opportunity to enhance action to meet this fundamental climate change challenge,” a joint statement read. “The two sides emphasized their resolve to work together and with others to achieve an ambitious and successful Paris outcome.”
Obama also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. The two discussed bringing the world’s second largest country into a bigger role in climate change discussions.
Modi has been concerned with protecting India’s growing economy and has previously demanded larger contributions from developed countries to help India use more clean energy. Obama urged Modi to make strong commitments while in Paris, according to a pool report.
Modi said he had received Obama’s message.
“We are going to make a very important contribution,” Modi said.
