In 2015, countries around the world gathered in Paris to reach a deal on climate change. It is called the Paris Agreement, and it set the following goals: ・Keep the global average temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and strive to limit it to 1.5°C. ・Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero in the second half of the 21st century.

Before the adoption of the Paris Agreement, an agreement, known as the "Kyoto Protocol”, had been reached. While the Kyoto Protocol required reduction of greenhouse gases mainly for developed countries, the Paris Agreement required reduction of greenhouse gases for the entire world, including developing countries. This was because developing countries were now also included in the list of countries with significantly high carbon dioxide emissions. In order to meet the Paris Agreement targets, each country also issued its own voluntary reduction targets. Specifically, they are as follows: United States: 50%-52% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030 EU: 55% reduction from 1990 levels by 2030 Germany: 65% reduction from 1990 levels by 2030 United Kingdom: 68% reduction from 1990 levels by 2030/78% reduction by 2035 Japan: 46% reduction from 2013 levels by 2030

The progress of each country through 2019 is as follows:
United States: 11.7% reduction
EU: 28.3% reduction
Germany: 35.1% reduction
United Kingdom: 43% reduction
Japan: 14% reduction

However, China, India, Brazil, and other countries have increased their carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 120-350%, showing that there is a great difference in efforts to achieve temperature goals amongst countries around the world.

To achieve the goal set, people around the world are increasing their knowledge, and starting to take action where possible. Some of the big actions being taken at a society level include: converting to renewable energy, substituting biomass energy, using rainwater and recycling construction materials. Other changes are closer to home, such as using pay-by-weight stores where people make purchases using containers they bring instead of disposable containers, and recycling used clothing. Such actions that are increasingly popular as individuals become aware of the need to reduce greenhouse gases.

episode 15
What is the World Doing to Prevent Global Warming?