ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel MinuteEarth DemDebate Secret Video: What The U.S. Promised In Paris
Hello! Welcome to a fun exploration of an important topic: climate change and the commitments made by countries to tackle it. Let’s dive into what happened when world leaders met in Paris and what the United States promised to do.
Climate change is a big deal because it affects everyone on Earth. It all started when scientists noticed that gases from burning fossil fuels, like coal and oil, were trapping heat in our atmosphere. This is causing our planet to warm up, leading to problems like higher temperatures, rising sea levels, stronger storms, and more droughts.
In December 2015, leaders from 196 countries gathered in Paris to make a plan to fight climate change. This meeting was super important because it was a chance for countries to agree on how to reduce the harmful gases causing climate change. The agreement they made is called the Paris Agreement.
The United States made a promise to cut down its emissions by about 18% over the next ten years. This means the U.S. plans to release less of those heat-trapping gases into the air. However, the current plans only get us a quarter of the way to this goal. To really meet the promise, the U.S. needs to come up with a stronger plan and take more action.
Following through on these promises is crucial because climate change affects our weather, our health, and even our food supply. By reducing emissions, we can help slow down the warming of our planet and protect our future.
Even though these are big global issues, there are small things you can do to help. Using less energy, recycling, and learning more about climate change are great ways to start. Every little bit counts!
Thanks for joining this journey to understand what the U.S. promised in Paris and why it matters. Remember, staying informed and taking action are powerful ways to make a difference. Keep exploring and learning!
Create a poster that explains what climate change is and why it’s important. Use images and facts to show how climate change affects the planet and what can be done to help. Display your poster in the classroom to educate your peers.
Participate in a role-playing activity where you represent a country at the Paris Agreement meeting. Discuss and negotiate with other “countries” to come up with a plan to reduce emissions. This will help you understand the complexities of international agreements.
Track your energy usage at home for a week and come up with a plan to reduce it by 10%. Share your strategies with the class and discuss how small changes can contribute to larger goals like those in the Paris Agreement.
Research what actions the U.S. has taken since the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting successes and areas for improvement.
Engage in a debate about the effectiveness of the U.S. commitments under the Paris Agreement. Take on different perspectives, such as environmentalists, government officials, and industry leaders, to explore various viewpoints on climate action.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
Hello, this is Henry from MinuteEarth. Recently, NBC and YouTube asked us to create a video providing context for a question at the Democratic presidential debate on January 17, 2016. In fact, they requested two videos because debates are unpredictable live events, and they wanted to have a backup in case one of the candidates addressed the topic of our video before it aired.
So, without further ado, here is the video that didn’t get shown at the debate:
Hello from MinuteEarth! We’re scientists and writers who explore how things work on our planet. In 1990, scientists warned the world about an invisible threat: heat-trapping gases from fossil fuels were accumulating in the atmosphere and warming the planet. Since then, record temperatures, rising sea levels, stronger storms, and worsening droughts have made the threat of climate change visible and real.
Last month, delegates from 196 world governments gathered in Paris and made a pact to combat climate change. For this pact to be effective, everyone must adhere to their initial commitments and also make stronger pledges soon. The U.S. has committed to reducing emissions by about 18% over the next decade, but our current strategy only gets us a quarter of the way there. If we’re going to fulfill our promise made in Paris, we’ll need a comprehensive action plan with more decisive measures.
If you’d like to see the video that did make it into the debate, we’ve linked to it in the video description, or you can watch the entire debate on the NBC News YouTube channel.
A huge thank you to our Patreon supporters who make projects like this possible. This was a last-minute endeavor, and we had to create two videos even though only one was used! We truly couldn’t have done it without your support.
Thank you for watching!
—
This version maintains the original message while removing specific names and phrases that may not be necessary for understanding the content.
Climate Change – A long-term alteration in Earth’s climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature. – Scientists are studying how climate change affects weather patterns and ecosystems around the world.
Emissions – Substances, especially gases, released into the air, often from vehicles or industrial processes. – Reducing emissions from cars and factories is crucial for improving air quality and combating climate change.
Agreement – A formal arrangement between countries to address environmental issues, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. – The Paris Agreement is an international treaty aimed at limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
Fossil Fuels – Natural fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. – Burning fossil fuels for energy releases carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change.
Atmosphere – The layer of gases surrounding Earth, which is essential for life and climate regulation. – The Earth’s atmosphere is composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen, with trace amounts of other gases.
Temperatures – The degree of heat present in the atmosphere or a specific place, often measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. – Rising global temperatures are a clear indicator of climate change and can lead to more extreme weather events.
Countries – Nations or territories that participate in global efforts to address environmental challenges. – Many countries are working together to develop sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprints.
Action – Steps or measures taken to address environmental issues and promote sustainability. – Taking action to reduce waste and conserve resources is essential for protecting the environment.
Recycling – The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects, reducing the need for raw resources. – Recycling paper, plastic, and metals helps conserve natural resources and reduces pollution.
Energy – The capacity to do work, which can be derived from various sources such as the sun, wind, water, and fossil fuels. – Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are becoming more popular as alternatives to fossil fuels.
