Global climate talks expected to close today in Paris have extended into Saturday, according French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. Appearing last night on French BFMTV he said that he would present a new compromise text for a deal to combat global warming on Saturday morning. The extra day of negotiations aims to reach accord between the near-200 participating nations.
One hundred and ninety-five nations, each with a specific agenda. Scan ten facts brought to the table. Can another day of discussion make headway into at least one theme?
- 2015 was the hottest year ever recorded.
- Earth will be 2.7 warmer by the end of the century if governments don’t cut CO2 emissions.
- Since 1993, sea levels have risen 3.2 mm annually.
- 2014 recorded 91 hurricanes, a new world record.
- Insurance companies lose $50 billion annually due to natural disaster and climate change.
- 3.3 million people die each year due to air pollution.
- 8% of species are threatened with extinction if global temperatures rise by 3% by 2100.
- The USA has used 250 billion gallons of water for fracking between 2005 through 2014.
- One square kilometer of virgin forest is lost every second around the planet.
- 10.1 million more people will be pushed below the poverty line.
“The atmosphere is good, things are positive, things are going in the right direction”, Fabius added. The betting window is open: let us hear which topics you think will be tackled, and what difference will another day make.
