You're listening to shortwave from NPR.

Hey everybody, Rebecca Amurus here today along with NPR's climate team in the form of

Lauren Summer and Dan Charles.

Hi.

Hey, you're here to introduce us to a couple of people who have big stakes in something

that's going to be all over the news in the next two weeks, the international climate

negotiations in Glasgow, Scotland.

So you two, what's this all about?

It is a climate extravaganza, Rebecca.

There will be diplomats from 190 some countries, 20,000 or so business executives and climate

experts and activists.

All focused on one central question is the world on track to keep its promise, a promise

that countries made six years ago in Paris that they will avoid the worst effects of climate

change.

I mean, one thing I know for sure, we're very behind on reducing carbon emissions.

Right.

And that's why these talks are pretty pivotal.

The science shows emissions need to fall fast over the next decade, but so far nations

aren't really stepping up.

Here's the numbers.

Their newest plans only reduce emissions about 7% in 2030 from the previous commitments.

And according to the UN, that needs to be 55% lower to keep warming at a critical threshold,

...