President Obama and other world leaders converge in Paris for a critical global summit on climate change.
More than 150 world leaders gathered in Paris on Monday for several days of discussion on an issue that impacts everyone - our planet. The climate talks come just weeks after tragedy hit France's capital city.
Immediately after landing at Orly Airport, President Obama headed to one of the sites where violence hit Paris. He was accompanied by French President François Hollande and the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.Obama laid flowers at the memorial there. Security was increased substantially while the trio paid their respects.
The presidents, Obama and Hollande, were joined by other world leaders for an historic gathering. On the table? How to slow the pace of global climate change.
The Conference of Parties, or COP21, is an annual forum with the goal of reducing air pollutants that are thought to cause changes to our climate.
China, the United States, India, and Russia are a few of the largest pollution emitters.
In his speech, President Obama said the U.S. is prepared to act, but he also stressed that this must be a global effort. He also sat down with Chinese President Xi Jinping. China and the United States are the two largest producers of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.
Instructional Links
Encyclopedia Article: World Book Student, Paris
http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar414820
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Primary Source: Remarks by President Obama at the First Session of COP21
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/11/30/remarks-president-obama-first-session-cop21
Website: United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP21
Website Article: CNN, 5 things you need to know about COP21
http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/30/world/cop21-paris-conference-five-things/
Website Article: 10 Apps to Raise Climate Change Awareness
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/climate-change-environmental-apps,review-2377.html
Video: #askUNDP about climate negotiations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GQfe6r6w2I&list=PL717E307DE4DD6C6C&index=1
Video & Teacher's Guide: Eyes of Nye, Global Climate Change - Earth's Atmosphere Heats Up
http://dvc.infohio.org/search/?videoid=22033
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