North Idaho and the UN Climate Summit

Due east of Sandpoint, 5,000 miles away, a conference is going on in Paris, France which will affect every one of us in North Idaho. Representatives of 195 nations have assembled to shape an agreement to combat climate change, specifically to keep global warming below 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F) and strengthen the foundation for a low carbon future. Officially, the event is the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change or COP 21. Surrounding the delegates are thousands of persons from around the world representing faith communities, businesses, environmental NGOs, and more. Me? I’m here as an “observer” from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Idaho Conservation League. My role is “to be a witness” reporting now and later on the progress, spirit, and results of COP21.

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