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http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v5/n8/full/nclimate2752.html
Much of this article highlights the efforts that have already been taken towards the fight against climate change. This year, the Conference of the Parties (COP2015) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are expected to form an international and legally binding agreement on climate change, focusing in particular towards limiting the global of warming of 2°C. However, not only the issue of climate change will be discussed in an international spotlight, sustainable development was also addressed, with the United Nations Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda held in New York in September this year. The Summit was expected to set in motion sustainable development goals (SDG), which will run to 2030 and will follow on from the eight Millennium Development Goals established in 2000. The SDGs formed can be found below.
It has been found that these meetings have gathered support from many sections of society. For example, Pope Francis, in an encyclical letter to all Catholics, has acknowledged that anthropogenic climate change is real and will have serious consequences for humanity, encouraging many to make personal changes in regards to actions being taken against climate change. One Direction has also raised their voice in support of combating climate change. Different public figures raising their voice has raised awareness in different areas of the world community, allowing for more individuals to join the debate and make their voices heard.
While reading through this article, an interesting point was also raised. “Individuals' perceptions of climate change are important in determining the level of public support for global actions to tackle it.” This statement made within the article explains the reasoning behind why some are hesitant or against supporting the actions being taken to tackle climate change and some are even unwilling to accept the concept of climate change. It is believed that an individuals’ experience with local weather conditions shapes their climate change beliefs. I believe in Australia, we are more willing to accept the idea of climate change as only within the last decade, we have experienced extreme events including droughts, heatwaves and floods. However, although we have accepted the fact that climate change is occurring we have yet to show extreme support in the actions being taken to combat it.
