COP29 has begun in Azerbaijan, bringing together global leaders to discuss urgent climate issues . This annual United Nations conference, officially the 29th Conference of the Parties, has a packed agenda for 2024, which is on track to become the hottest year ever recorded. Recent severe weather events, a clear result of climate change, are among the central topics for discussion. Another major focus is finance— leaders are debating how to fund measures to address the impacts of these weather events and climate change, with an emphasis on wealthier nations taking greater responsibility due to their higher contributions to global emissions. The recent election of Donald Trump as U.S. President has also created uncertainty about America’s climate commitments , but climate activists are encouraging other nations to maintain their own goals regardless of U.S. policies. The stakes are high as global attention remains fixed on whether meaningful progress will emerge from this crucial meeting.
Vocabulary :
• conference (noun): A formal meeting for discussion, typically on specific topics.
• climate change (noun): Long-term changes in the Earth’s weather patterns and temperatures.
• agenda (noun): A list of topics or plans to be discussed or acted upon.
• emissions (noun): Gases released into the atmosphere, often contributing to pollution and climate change.
• commitment (noun): A promise or firm decision to do something.
• activist (noun): A person who campaigns for social or political change.
• finance (noun): The management of money, especially for large projects or initiatives.
• richer countries (noun): Wealthier nations with advanced economies and higher emissions contributions.