With the ink still drying the on the newly signed global pact to fight climate change, reaction is pouring in on social from leaders across the world in support of the landmark "Paris agreement."
The deal saw 200 nations agree to collectively cut and eliminate greenhouse gas pollution, and keep global temperatures from rising anther degree Celsius until 2100, in an effort to protect poor countries and island nations from rising sea levels and other effects of climate change.
After it was announced that a deal had been reached, U.S. President Barack Obama took to Twitter to celebrate the occasion.
This is huge: Almost every country in the world just signed on to the on climate change—thanks to American leadership.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama)
Obama's sentiments were echoed by a chorus of politicians north of the border, including NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna.
History is made. For our children.
— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna)
Excited that the world has reached a climate change pact. Canada must now move from words to action.
— Tom Mulcair (@ThomasMulcair)
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also chimed in, saying that the world is "grateful" that Canada's election was held in advance of the summit in Paris.
We can all be grateful (the whole world is grateful) Cdn elxn was Oct 19/ not Dec 19. @theturner
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay)
May added that countries to need get to work on reducing emissions, particularly for air travel and shipping.
No. Let's work. It is legally binding with 5 year ratchet up mechanisms. We have a shot at pre 2020 action.
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay)
Agreed. We need to get international aviation and shipping within carbon budgets.
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay)
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton stressed the need to create a shift in industry towards sustainability.
pact means we need to quickly & significantly speed investments to create jobs & make our economies & communities more sustainable
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton)
Clinton's former vice-president and climate activist, Al Gore, called the agreement "bold" and "historic."
Today, the nations of the world concluded a bold and historic agreement.
— Al Gore (@algore)
Billionaire businessman Richard Branson shared Clinton's sentiments, saying that the agreement presents an opportunity to "build a new economy" and that business is "poised to help make it happen."
We have opportunity to build new economy & business is poised to help make it happen
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson)
- a watershed moment
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson)
sets us on a pathway to climate neutrality, economic justice & shared prosperity
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson)