Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin

Global temperatures for the first six months of this year shattered yet more records, and mean that 2016 is on track to be the world’s hottest year on record. June 2016 also marked the 14th consecutive month of record heat for land and oceans. It marked the 378th consecutive month with temperatures above the 20th century average.

All of which underlines the importance of Sep 21st meeting where world leaders are asked to to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Out of 178 countries which signed the Paris Agreement in April this year, only 19 have ratified it so far, together accounting for less than 1 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Concerns have also arisen that some countries are already backtracking on the commitments made in Paris with newly elected Philippines president Duterte announcing that he “will not honor” the proposed restrictions on emissions. Concerns have also been expressed about Germany and the UK recently announcing new measures to support the fossil fuel industry and US presidential candidate Donald Trump stating he would cancel the agreement if elected in November.

For suggestions for actions you can take on this issue visit the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change website.