Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

, a look at the approaches various countries around the world are taking to address climate change: China, India, Canada and Morocco.

At the European meetings last week, President Trump was 

urged not to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement.

However, a White House official says Trump is 

, though there may be "caveats in the language."

The Paris agreement is structured around the goal to limit the increase in global average temperatures.

"The whole theory behind Paris was that by getting every country to step up to the plate and every country to make a commitment, and then agreeing to a binding system where countries have to submit targets, monitor those targets and have those targets subject to independent review, that over time that process would help increase the ambition of countries' climate pledges," said Brian Deese, former senior adviser to former President Barack Obama and a top negotiator of the Paris climate agreement.

But the set targets have been insufficient to solve the issue of climate change, Deese said.

In some areas of the world, changes in temperature and 

 have forced people from their jobs and homes, they are "climate refugees."

Climate migration in the U.S.

China, a top emitter of greenhouse gases, has attempted to turn this bad news for the environment into good news for the economy — pushing jobs in renewable energy and green technology.

After China and the United States, India is the third biggest carbon producer. The country has taken large steps to embrace clean energy but coal is still widely used.

To help push the renewable industry forward, India's government is encouraging companies to take a competitive approach to clean energy contracts, rather than offering subsidies to those who purchase renewable energy technologies, like solar panels.

Follow the water

In Canada, northern communities have been reeling from the effects of climate change. Structures built on permafrost are in danger as thaws alter the landscape.

To combat these changes, Canada's government has adopted a plan to put a price on carbon pollution, but a push back from the fossil fuel industry has made it impossible to pass a binding law on the matter.

Meanwhile, Morocco, a country that gets plenty of sunshine and has a stable government, has become a testing ground for emerging solar technology. The equipment is expensive, and technology is improving quickly making installed panels somewhat obsolete.

However, 20 years ago only half of Moroccans had access to electricity, now almost every household has it. This has resulted in an economic and population boom, emphasizing the need for a successful renewable energy model on the market.

To listen to the program, click the audio player above.

New goal is to 'electrify everything'

A 'test kitchen' for saving northern forests

MPR News presents offers speeches, documentaries and debates — airing weekdays from noon to 1 p.m.

Environmental News

Politics and Government News

Climate

Shows

MPR News Presents

MPR News Staff

Author

From the "America Abroad" series, a look at the approaches various countries around the world are taking to address climate change: China, India, Canada and Morocco.

From the America Abroad series, a look at the approaches various countries around the world are taking to address climate change: China, India, Canada, and Morocco. At the European meetings last week, President Trump was urged not to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement.

'America Abroad:' Global approaches to climate change

Oxfam activists wearing masks of the leaders of the G7 summit

'America Abroad:' Global approaches to climate change

Go Deeper.

Like this?