According to Oxford Advanced Learner?s Dictionary, Global Warming is the increase in temperature of the earth?s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide. Often the term climate change and global warming are used alternately. But to be precise, global warming only covers the aspect of increase in average atmospheric temperature whereas, climate change is a broad term and includes changes in wind, precipitation, the length of seasons as well as the strength and frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and floods. The 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report confirms that the warming of the global climate is unequivocal and that it is very likely due to human activities (also known as anthropogenic activities).

Each year the United Nations Climate Change Conferences also known as COP (Conference of Parties) are held in the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) aimed at to stabilize greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system- believed to be 2⁰C above the pre- industrial global average temperature. In the two decades long negotiation history, a major remark was achieved in COP 21, Paris 2015 whereby for the very first time 195 countries adopted the agreement to make efforts in limiting the rise of global average temperature to well below 2 degree Celsius and pursue efforts for 1.5 degree Celsius. In accordance with Article 21, paragraph 1, of the Paris Agreement, the Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date on which at least 55 Parties to the Convention accounting in total for at least an estimated 55 % of the total global greenhouse gas emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Depositary. As of 23 August 2016, 179 states and the European Union have signed the Agreement. 23 of those states have ratified the Agreement.

While the climate change and global warming is getting worldwide attention and termed the greatest threat of 21^st century, we can?t deny of the fact that it is also an opportunity for us to shape the future in the way we desire. While phasing out coal business as usual, many new green job and entrepreneurship opportunities are evolving. Investments in renewable energy (wind power, solar power (thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated), hydroelectric power, tidal power, geothermal energy, biofuels and the renewable part of waste) is growing each year. For example: The primary production of renewable energy within the European Union in 2014 was 196 million tons of oil equivalent (toe) which accounts 25.4 % share of total primary energy production from all sources. The quantity of renewable energy produced within the EU-28 countries increased overall by 73.1 % between 2004 and 2014, equivalent to an average increase of 5.6 % per year (Source: Eurostat, Renewable Energy Sources). Based on REN21's  (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century) 2016 report, renewables contributed 19.2% to humans' global energy consumption and 23.7% to their generation of electricity in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Also, Green Climate Fund (GCF) which is a fund within the framework of the UNFCCC adopted in 2011 is expected to raise to $100 billion by 2020. GCF will support projects, programs, policies and other activities in developing country Parties for adaptation and mitigation practices to combat climate change. Moreover, the United Nations Collaborative Program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in Developing Countries was launched in 2008. UN- REDD program supports nationally led REDD initiatives in 64 developing countries. Similarly, transition toward climate smart agricultural practices will help ensure food security with increased productivity and decreased emissions.

Thus, instead of perceiving climate change as an alarming threat let us observe it as a challenging opportunity to build the future we want where climate justice is no more a topic of debate and demand instead it is an established universal right.

COP 21 Photo source: huffingpost.com (Beyond Paris: Some Major Achievements at COP21 — And the Way Forward)

Street Solar Lamps Picture Source: OnlineKhabar.com