COP21

During the past 2 weeks the leaders of almost 200 countries have been negotiating in Paris in an attempt to reduce future global temperature increase to less than 2°C by reducing CO₂ emissions. A final agreement was made on Saturday evening that is both legally binding and voluntary but benefits all countries including developing nations so as not to inhibit any economic growth.

For more information on the final agreements made in Paris click here.

Although there were many arguments that natural gas exploration and use should be a major commodity during the climate talks particularly in developing countries there were also a lot of protests of which many have had hydraulic fracturing as their main target. One of the first major disruptions was caused by two protesters who interrupted Shumlin’s speech with a banner that read ‘fracked gas = climate change’ and called on him to end fracking in Vermont, USA. Also on the 10^th of December there was an international gathering organised by Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) as an opportunity for people and groups who oppose fracking to meet, share experiences and create joint strategies for the future. 

There were also many side events during these two weeks in Paris including ‘Keeping Fossil Fuels in the Ground’ which focused on putting pressure on the US fracking industry particularly in California. One of the members of the panel is quoted saying “If you’re looking for good way to heat up the earth fast, poke holes in the earth and let methane pour out” and if I’m honest I think this is a pretty accurate explanation of fracking.