Paris climate pact to enter into force ahead of schedule

The Paris climate agreement will officially enter into force in early November. As of October 5, 72 countries representing all regions of the world — and almost 57 percent of global emissions — have formally ratified the agreement. Once the agreement takes effect, all signatory nations will work to limit warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and to adapt to climate change impacts. What sets it apart from previous agreements — other than, possibly, the speed of its ratification — is the prominence of nature in the text, which acknowledges both its role in curbing emissions and helping people adapt to climate impacts.

David Soto