The US is back in the Paris Agreement. What’s next? | John Kerry and Al Gore

TED Talks Daily

TED

Creativity, Ted Podcast, Ted Talks Daily, Business, Design, Inspiration, Society & Culture, Science, Technology, Education, Tech Demo, Ted Talks, Ted, Entertainment, Tedtalks

4.1 • 11.9K Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2021

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On his first day as president, Joe Biden signed a letter of acceptance that set in motion the 30-day process for the United States to re-join the Paris Agreement on climate. On the day the US returns to the accord, John Kerry, the US Special Envoy for Climate, sits down with Nobel Laureate Al Gore to discuss the make-or-break decade ahead of us. Listen as Kerry lays out how the US fits into the global plan to get to net-zero emissions, explains why the COP26 UN climate conference could be humanity’s “last best hope” to build international momentum and explores the role of business and youth activists in promoting environmental justice. (This interview features an introduction from Christiana Figueres, the principal architect of the Paris Agreement.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	My name is Elise Hugh. This is TED Talks Daily. Since the United States is rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement today, we've got a big conversation for you on one of the most crucial issues facing humanity.
0:15.8	On today's show, hear the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in conversation with climate
0:21.7	advocate Al Gore about the make or break decade ahead of us. They cover the global challenges
0:26.9	and what exactly needs to be done to curb emissions and reduce warming. You'll also hear an
0:31.9	introduction from Cristiana Figueras, the principal architect of the Paris Agreement. This interview
0:37.2	is part of Countdown, Ted's new global initiative to accelerate solutions
0:40.8	to the climate crisis. Get involved at countdown.ted.com.
0:47.8	Today, 19th of February, 2021, at the beginning of a crucial year and a crucial decade for confronting the climate crisis,
0:58.9	the United States rejoins the Paris Climate Agreement after four years of absence.
1:05.7	Unanimously adopted by 195 nations, the Paris Agreement came into force in 2016,
1:14.0	establishing targets and mechanisms
1:16.8	to lead the global economy to a zero emissions future.
1:21.3	It was one of the most extraordinary examples
1:25.1	of multilateralism ever, and one which I had the privilege to coordinate.
1:31.5	One year later, the United States withdrew. The Biden-Harris administration is now bringing the United
1:39.6	States back and has expressed strong commitment to responsible climate action.
1:47.3	The two men you're about to see both played essential roles in birthing the Paris Agreement
1:54.6	in 2015. Former Vice President Al Gore, a lifelong climate expert, made key contributions to the diplomatic process.
2:05.7	John Kerry was the U.S. Secretary of State and head of the U.S. delegation.
2:12.3	With his granddaughter sitting on his lap, he signed the Paris Agreement on behalf of the United States.
2:20.8	He is now the U.S. Special Envoy for Climate.
2:25.6	Ted Countdown has invited Al Gore to interview John Kerry as he begins his new role.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from TED, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of TED and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.