On April 22, Earth Day 175 representatives from countries all over the world, signed the Paris climate agreement at the United Nations. At the event Kerry holding his granddaughter Isabelle signed the agreement making a statement that all the world children are counting on us for a cleaner earth.
The ceremony is only a first step to seeing the Paris agreement enter into force. Fifty-five countries representing at least 55 percent of global emissions still need to ratify the agreement, which the U.S. and China (the two biggest emitters) plan on doing this year. Even once it’s ratified, there’s a lot of work left to be done. Top U.S. climate negotiator Todd Stern told Grist in an interview, “the most important thing is what countries do nationally” to make their needed emissions cuts.