A lot has happened since countries met in Paris in 2015 and agreed on an accord to combat climate change. So far, more than 170 countries have ratified or otherwise joined the Paris Agreement, representing more than 80 percent of global emissions. Several major economies, including Canada, Germany and Mexico, have also developed long-term plans to decarbonize their economies.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the People’s Climate Movement march in Washington, D.C. and sister cities around the world this coming weekend. They are marching because actions taken to date by governments and others are not commensurate with the scale of climate impacts – both those already borne and those projected in the years to come.
Global energy demand rose by 2.1% in 2017, more than twice the previous year’s rate, boosted by strong global economic growth, with oil, gas and coal meeting most of the increase in demand for energy, and renewables seeing impressive gains.
This week is UN Global Road Safety Week, focused on the theme “Slow Down, Save Lives.” WRI works to make cities around the world safer and more sustainable by implementing street design and regulations that reduce vehicle speeds while supporting walking and cycling. There is a growing body of evidence on the impacts and wider benefits of such efforts, which we’ll explore in blog posts this week.
For Pittsburgh, it's a focus on improving air quality and creating renewable energy jobs. For Paris, it's encouraging social mobility and reclaiming pedestrian areas. The common thread in these cities' climate action plans is a commitment to pledges made by 197 parties in the landmark Paris Agreement.