CARE’s Reaction to World Leaders at COP21

Advocacy

“President Obama made it clear that the US is aware that the world’s poorest people are the first to feel the worst impacts of climate change – and that the US has a responsibility to do something about it. We’re pleased the US recognizes this – but now the US must deliver on a Paris agreement that really catalyzes action for the poorest and most vulnerable populations.”

Tonya Rawe, Senior Advisor for Policy and Research, Food & Nutrition Security Unit, CARE US

CARE welcomes that many leaders have highlighted that limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius is not enough for many vulnerable countries.

“Research shows that dangerous climate change impacts will increase significantly, if global warming exceeds 1.5 degrees. Over 100 vulnerable developing countries already back the 1.5 degrees temperature target for the Paris agreement – it’s a question of their survival. But it is encouraging to see leaders such as France’s Francois Hollande and Germany’s Angela Merkel acknowledging that 2 degrees may be too much for many countries.”

Sven Harmeling, CARE International’s Climate Change Advocacy Coordinator