Climate Change Simulation

Over the past 10 years, many countries have experienced severe weather patterns due to the rapidly changing global climate. Flooding, ice storms and severe drought are just a few of the consequences that countries currently face around the world due to climate change. Yesterday, several countries gathered in the United Nations General Assembly to herald their concerns about the impact that global warming is having on their citizens, infrastructure and economy. Many countries involved in these deliberations have offered ideas on climate action for several years, while others have voiced concerns about their country’s role in this fight. Here are some of the global challenges that they are currently facing:

• The average sea level is expected to rise 1 to 6 feet before the end of this century.

• The current pace of global average temperature rise puts approximately half of all plants and animals at risk of extinction.

• Scientists are predicting nearly half of the world’s coral reefs (over 4,600 square miles accounting for roughly 5% of reefs globally) could disappear forever.

• The UN projects that global temperatures are expected to increase at least 2.7°F in the 21st century.

• An average of 21.5 million people has been forcibly displaced (climate refugees) since 2008 due to climate changed-related weather hazards.

During the United Nations climate change conference in Paris, governments agreed to create strong and ambitious policies to effectively combat global warming. After all, action must come from governments, cities, regions, businesses and investors. Everyone has a role to play in successfully implementing climate action.

In 2016, the Paris Climate Accord went into effect. The agreement was negotiated by representatives of 196 countries. The Paris Agreement's long-term temperature goal is to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels; and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 °C, recognizing that this would substantially reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. This should be done by reducing emissions as soon as possible.

In June 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the agreement. Under the agreement, the earliest effective date of withdrawal for the U.S. is November 2020, shortly before the end of President Trump's 2016 term. In practice, changes in United States policy that are contrary to the Paris Agreement have already been put in place.

As a diplomat, it is your job to understand the position of your country’s needs and the interests of those around you in order to create a quick and effective solution.

Every country has a different approach to climate change. Your country policy is located on your Climate Change Placard in your supply bag.

Questions to Consider:

• What is your initial response to the crisis?

• Do you believe that your country’s solution in the best interest of the global community?

• How do you plan on working with other countries?