FACT SHEET: U.S. Leadership and the Historic Paris Agreement to Combat Climate Change

FACT SHEET: U.S. Leadership and the Historic Paris Agreement to Combat Climate Change

Today, more than 190 countries came together to adopt the most ambitious climate change agreement in history. The Paris Agreement establishes a long term, durable global framework to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. For the first time, all countries commit to putting forward successive and ambitious, nationally determined climate targets and reporting on their progress towards them using a rigorous, standardized process of review.

The Agreement provides strong assurance to developing countries that they will be supported as they pursue clean and climate resilient growth.  The deal builds on the unprecedented participation of 187 countries that submitted post-2020 climate action targets in advance of the meeting, and establishes a framework to ratchet up ambition by driving down global emissions in the decades to come.

This new global framework lays the foundation for countries to work together to put the world on a path to keeping global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius and sets an ambitious vision to go even farther than that. This Agreement sends a strong signal to the private sector that the global economy is moving towards clean energy, and that through innovation and ingenuity, we can achieve our climate objectives while creating new jobs, raising standards of living and lifting millions out of poverty. 

The Paris Agreement is also the culmination of a broader effort by nations, businesses, cities, and citizens to reorient the global economy to a path of low-carbon growth – progress that will accelerate as a result of the Agreement’s provisions on mitigation ambition, transparency, and climate finance.

An Ambitious Agreement

The Paris Agreement sets forward an ambitious vision for tackling climate change globally. This includes:

·         Strengthening long-term ambition: The Agreement sets a goal of keeping warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and for the first time agrees to pursue efforts to limit the increase in temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It also acknowledges that in order to meet that target, countries should aim to peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible.

·         Establishing a universal approach for all countries: The Agreement moves beyond dividing the world into outdated categories of developed and developing countries and instead directs all parties to prepare, communicate and maintain successive and ambitious nationally determined climate targets. This approach – where countries set non-binding targets for themselves – paved the way for 187 mitigation contributions this year and will form the basis for a long-term, durable system to ratchet down emissions. 

·         Locking in five year target cycles: Under the Agreement, all countries will communicate their climate targets every five years, starting in 2020. Targets must be submitted 9-12 months before they are finalized, creating time for other countries and civil society to seek clarity about the targets submitted.    

·         Ratcheting up ambition over time: Each target should reflect progress from the prior one, reflecting the highest possible ambition that each country can achieve. This durable, long term framework will drive greater climate ambition as technologies improve and circumstances change.

·         Rigorous assessment of global climate action: To help inform further domestic and global efforts, the Agreement puts in place a mechanism to assess collective progress on global mitigation action using the best available science. This process will begin in 2018 and occur every five years to help inform countries’ future targets and strategies.

·         Sending a market signal on innovation and technology: The mitigation components of the Agreement, combined with a broad push on innovation and technology, will help significantly scale up energy investments over the coming years – investments that will accelerate cost reductions for renewable energy and other low-carbon solutions.  This set of actions will create a mutually reinforcing cycle in which enhanced mitigation increases investment and enhanced investment allows additional mitigation by driving down costs.

A Transparent and Accountable Agreement

The Paris Agreement establishes a robust transparency system to help make sure that all countries are living up to their commitments. This will send a market signal to the private sector and investors that countries are serious about meeting the targets they have set.  These steps include:

·         Putting in place an enhanced transparency system for all countries: A critical component of the Agreement, the transparency framework agreed to by parties ensures that all countries are on a level playing field with the United States with flexibility for those developing countries with less capacity.

·         Requiring countries to report on greenhouse gas inventories: For the first time, the Agreement requires all countries to report on national inventories of emissions by source. This breakthrough will give unprecedented clarity to the public’s understanding of emissions and pollution in countries throughout the world.

·         Requiring countries to report on mitigation progress: Also for the first time, countries are required to report on information necessary to track progress made in implementing and achieving the targets and strategies countries have put forward.

·         Establishing a technical review process with agreed upon standards: To help ensure countries are meeting transparency requirements, countries are subject to a comprehensive technical expert review process that analyzes whether reporting is in line with the standards adopted. Countries will also engage in a multilateral review with their peers to share their experiences and lessons learned.

An Agreement for a Low-Carbon Future

Tackling climate change will require shifting global investment flows towards clean energy, forest protection, and climate-resilient infrastructure.  Developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable, will need support from the global community as they pursue clean and resilient growth. The Paris Agreement makes real progress on this front by:

·         Providing a strong, long-term market signal that the world is locking in a low-carbon future: The submission of ambitious national targets in five-year cycles gives investors and technology innovators a clear signal that the world will demand clean power plants, energy efficient factories and buildings, and low-carbon transportation not just in the short-term but in the decades to come.  This will make it far easier to draw in the largest pools of capital that need long-term certainty in order to invest in clean technologies.

·         Giving confidence that existing financial commitments will be met: Many developing countries, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable, came to Paris seeking reassurance that a global climate deal is not just about the big emitters but also supports their transition to a low-carbon growth path.  In this regard, we are already making strong progress towards meeting the existing goal to mobilize $100 billion from a wide variety of sources, including both public and private, by 2020. The Paris outcome provides further confidence that this goal will be met and that climate finance will continue to flow.  For the first time, the Agreement recognizes the reality that countries like China are already joining the base of donor countries contributing to climate finance and encourages developing countries to contribute to climate finance, while reaffirming that the United States and other developed economies should continue to take the lead. 

These components of the Agreement build on steps the United States took in Paris to demonstrate its commitment to mobilizing finance from public and private sources for both mitigation and adaptation activities in developing countries. These steps include:

·         Launching Mission Innovation: On the first day of the conference, President Obama joined other world leaders to launch Mission Innovation, a landmark commitment to accelerate public and private global clean energy innovation, and dramatically expand the new technologies that will define a clean, affordable, and reliable global power mix.  Twenty countries representing around 80% of global clean energy research and development (R&D) funding base committed to double their R&D investments over five years.  In addition, a coalition of 28 global investors led by Bill Gates committed to support early-stage breakthrough energy technologies in countries that have joined Mission Innovation. 

·         Doubling U.S. grant-based public finance for adaptation by 2020: Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the United States will double its grant-based, public climate finance for adaptation by 2020. As of 2014, the United States invested more than $400 million per year of grant-based resources for climate adaptation in developing countries. These investments provide vulnerable countries with support – through both bilateral and multilateral channels – to reduce climate risks in key areas, including infrastructure, agriculture, health and water services.

An Agreement Complemented by Subnational, Private Sector and Citizen Action

Because the Agreement should serve as a floor for future ambitious climate action, complementary actions outside of the Agreement by sub-national governments, enterprising businesses, investors and entrepreneurs, and an enlightened global public are important complements to the Paris Agreement. As part of these global efforts, Americans have demonstrated their dedication to climate action through a wide variety of commitments.

·         Compact of Mayors: 117 United States mayors have signed onto the Compact of Mayors pledge. The Compact establishes a common platform to capture the impact of cities’ collective actions through standardized measurement of emissions and climate risk, and consistent, public reporting of their efforts.  

·         Under-2 MOU: States including California, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New York have signed onto the Under-2 MOU.   The MOU commits signatories to cut greenhouse gas emissions 80-95% below 1990 levels, share technology and scientific research, expand zero-emission vehicles, improve air quality by reducing short-lived climate pollutants and assess projected impacts of climate change on communities. 

·         American Business Act on Climate Pledge: 154 companies have signed the White House’s American Business Act on Climate Pledge.  These companies have operations in all 50 states, employ nearly 11 million people, represent more than $4.2 trillion in annual revenue and have a combined market capitalization of over $7 trillion. As part of this initiative, each company expressed support for an ambitious Paris Agreement and announced significant pledges to reduce their emissions, increase low-carbon investments, deploy more clean energy and take other actions to build more sustainable businesses and tackle climate change. 

·         American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge: 311 colleges and universities representing over 4 million students have demonstrated their commitment to climate action by joining the American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge.

牛顿中校举办第三届成人网球赛为江西贫困生募捐

牛顿中校举办第三届成人网球赛为江西贫困生募捐

劉玲撰稿

第三届牛顿中文学校网球公开赛接近尾声，来自大波士顿地区55人次参加了比赛。今年网球赛共募得捐款1105美元，全部用于该校支持中国教育项目。

本次比赛男单冠军再次为律师戴光忻斩获，亚军则由张珉获得。两位选手都是第二次参加比赛，其中戴光忻自幼接受网球俱乐部训练，一路过关斩将锐不可挡。虽然他们不是中文学校的家长，也与支教对象没有关系，其中戴光忻是第二代华裔，他们均认为比赛好玩还有意义，愿意以这种形式支持中国教育项目。

双打冠军则由刘庆和BINH NGUYEN获得。NGUYEN从五岁时开始打网球，非常喜欢这项体育运动。在微软做招募工作的NGUYEN说，他不是中国人，但是这不妨碍他支持一项有意义的支持中国贫困地区学生的事业，所以一接到组织者的电邮后立即决定报名支持。

这次比赛的女子单打冠军将在周津平和尚克西间产生。周津平与家长会代表代明时共同组织了本家比赛。她介绍说，比赛获得募捐是靠参赛者出钱出力的形式进行的，同时也获得了社区各有关方面的支持。她特别感谢为比赛提供场地的位于卫兰镇（Wayland）的龙法洛网球俱乐部（Longfellow Tennis Club）以及网球项目负责人菲尔·帕里希（Phil Parrish）对此次慈善比赛的支持。

牛顿中文学校今年的支教对象是江西省抚州地区崇仁县一中。按该校支教章程，每个受援对象获支教团队访问两次，以便加强双方友谊，以及巩固首次支教的结果。据不久前来自崇仁一中的反馈，2013-2014年度，牛顿中校支持了10位高二贫困生和13位高一贫困生，当年的10位高二生今年在高考中均取得好成绩，考上了理想的大学。

紐英崙玉山科協邀胡康年分享製藥業經驗

Cambridge, MA, Dec. 12, 2015 – 十二月十二號上午，新英格蘭玉山科技協會(MJNE)舉辦十二月份的專業分享，由任職於福泰製藥廠的胡康年博士分享材料科學觀媒介跨領域合作於藥物產品開發。玉山科技協會感謝不同領域的朋友參加本次活動，以及胡博士帶來製藥產業的經驗交流。

一月份的活動中，玉山科技協會將邀請青年創業家陳立洋先生，希望和大家探討長期照護產業中一直以來存在的問題，主題是：失寵的照護 - 科技於長期照護管理之角色。陳立洋畢業於中原大學和波士頓大學生物醫學工程學系。專注於醫療科技與資訊傳遞領域逾五年後，他注意到長期照護產業之中尚缺乏醫療科技介入革新。於是陳立洋決定投入醫療資訊領域中長期照護的項目，並成立諾亞克美國致力於實現提升照護品質與管理效率之願景。藉由諾亞克美國，陳立洋希望達成整合執行、紀錄與監督於一體之醫療資訊流程。

專業分享將於一月九號舉行，希望想更加了解長期照護產業，及對相關議題有興趣的朋友能夠踴躍參加活動。欲知詳細活動內容請上新英格蘭玉山科技協會網站http://www.mj-ne.org。

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

ON THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

Cabinet Room

5:30 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  In my first inaugural address, I committed this country to the tireless task of combating climate change and protecting this planet for future generations. 

Two weeks ago, in Paris, I said before the world that we needed a strong global agreement to accomplish this goal -- an enduring agreement that reduces global carbon pollution and sets the world on a course to a low-carbon future. 

A few hours ago, we succeeded.  We came together around the strong agreement the world needed.  We met the moment.

I want to commend President Hollande and Secretary General Ban for their leadership and for hosting such a successful summit, and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius for presiding with patience and resolve.  And I want to give a special thanks to Secretary John Kerry, my Senior Advisor Brian Deese, our chief negotiator Todd Stern, and everyone on their teams for their outstanding work and for making America proud.

I also want to thank the people of nearly 200 nations -- large and small, developed and developing -- for working together to confront a threat to the people of all nations.  Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when the world stands as one.

Today, the American people can be proud -- because this historic agreement is a tribute to American leadership.  Over the past seven years, we’ve transformed the United States into the global leader in fighting climate change.  In 2009, we helped salvage a chaotic Copenhagen Summit and established the principle that all countries had a role to play in combating climate change.  We then led by example, with historic investments in growing industries like wind and solar, creating a new and steady stream of middle-class jobs.  We’ve set the first-ever nationwide standards to limit the amount of carbon pollution power plants can dump into the air our children breathe.  From Alaska to the Gulf Coast to the Great Plains, we’ve partnered with local leaders who are working to help their communities protect themselves from some of the most immediate impacts of a changing climate.   

Now, skeptics said these actions would kill jobs.  Instead, we’ve seen the longest streak of private-sector job creation in our history.  We’ve driven our economic output to all-time highs while driving our carbon pollution down to its lowest level in nearly two decades.  And then, with our historic joint announcement with China last year, we showed it was possible to bridge the old divides between developed and developing nations that had stymied global progress for so long.  That accomplishment encouraged dozens and dozens of other nations to set their own ambitious climate targets.  And that was the foundation for success in Paris.  Because no nation, not even one as powerful as ours, can solve this challenge alone.  And no country, no matter how small, can sit on the sidelines.  All of us had to solve it together. 

Now, no agreement is perfect, including this one.  Negotiations that involve nearly 200 nations are always challenging.  Even if all the initial targets set in Paris are met, we’ll only be part of the way there when it comes to reducing carbon from the atmosphere.  So we cannot be complacent because of today’s agreement.  The problem is not solved because of this accord.  But make no mistake, the Paris agreement establishes the enduring framework the world needs to solve the climate crisis.  It creates the mechanism, the architecture, for us to continually tackle this problem in an effective way.   

This agreement is ambitious, with every nation setting and committing to their own specific targets, even as we take into account differences among nations.  We’ll have a strong system of transparency, including periodic reviews and independent assessments, to help hold every country accountable for meeting its commitments.  As technology advances, this agreement allows progress to pave the way for even more ambitious targets over time.  And we have secured a broader commitment to support the most vulnerable countries as they pursue cleaner economic growth.

In short, this agreement will mean less of the carbon pollution that threatens our planet, and more of the jobs and economic growth driven by low-carbon investment.  Full implementation of this agreement will help delay or avoid some of the worst consequences of climate change, and will pave the way for even more progress, in successive stages, over the coming years.

Moreover, this agreement sends a powerful signal that the world is firmly committed to a low-carbon future.  And that has the potential to unleash investment and innovation in clean energy at a scale we have never seen before.  The targets we’ve set are bold.  And by empowering businesses, scientists, engineers, workers, and the private sector -- investors -- to work together, this agreement represents the best chance we’ve had to save the one planet that we’ve got. 

So I believe this moment can be a turning point for the world.  We’ve shown that the world has both the will and the ability to take on this challenge.  It won’t be easy.  Progress won’t always come quick.  We cannot be complacent.  While our generation will see some of the benefits of building a clean energy economy -- jobs created and money saved -- we may not live to see the full realization of our achievement.  But that’s okay.  What matters is that today we can be more confident that this planet is going to be in better shape for the next generation.  And that’s what I care about.  I imagine taking my grandkids, if I’m lucky enough to have some, to the park someday, and holding their hands, and hearing their laughter, and watching a quiet sunset, all the while knowing that our work today prevented an alternate future that could have been grim; that our work, here and now, gave future generations cleaner air, and cleaner water, and a more sustainable planet.  And what could be more important than that?

Today, thanks to strong, principled, American leadership, that’s the world that we’ll leave to our children -- a world that is safer and more secure, more prosperous, and more free.  And that is our most important mission in our short time here on this Earth. 

Thanks.

As Paris Negotiations End, Hundreds Will Rally in Boston for Jobs, Justice & Climate Action

As Paris Negotiations End, Hundreds Will Rally in Boston for Jobs, Justice & Climate Action

What: As the UN negotiations on climate change in Paris come to close, hundreds of people from across New England will gather in Boston for a rally and march to demand jobs, justice, and bold climate action.

When: Saturday, December 12, 1:00-3:00 pm

Who: A diverse coalition including a dozen labor unions and workers’ rights groups, more than 50 climate and environmental groups, and more than 40 faith and social justice groups (see full list here)

Where: Rally at Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common, followed by a march through downtown and a rally at the State House

Speakers include:

·      Karen Higgins, Registered Nurse and National Co-President of National Nurses United

·      John Harrity, President of Connecticut State Council of Machinists

·      Adrian Ventura, New Bedford Workers Center

·      Derek Pelotte, 350 Massachusetts for a Better Future

·      Sherri Mitchell, Executive Director, Land Peace Foundation and member of Maine Penobscot Tribe

·      John Robbins, President, Council on American-Islamic Relations of Massachusetts

Why: Between December 11 and December 13, world leaders will close the 21st round of international climate negotiations in Paris, France. Regardless of what happens in Paris, it’s clear that bold action on climate will be needed here in New England and around the world. 

On December 12, hundreds of people will gather to call on New England governors and legislators to promote climate solutions that create secure, well-paying union jobs and enhance community resiliency. With climate change already displacing millions around the world, participants will also call on local leaders to stand with immigrants and refugees and speak out against racism and xenophobia.

More Information: www.jobsjusticeclimate.org

South Cove Manor Awards Scholarships to Two Quincy Students

South Cove Manor Awards Scholarships to Two Quincy Students

South Cove Manor at Quincy Point, a skilled nursing care and rehabilitation community focused on serving Asian elders and their families, has awarded $1,000 scholarships to two Quincy seniors in recognition of their service to elders. 

Created in honor of South Cove Manor’s 30^th anniversary, the scholarships were awarded to Wei Zhen of North Quincy High School and Juliet Wilma Samson of Quincy High School.  The scholarship winners were selected based on their involvement with and commitment to elders in their communities. 

The scholarships, underwritten by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, may be used for any college-related expenses, including application fees, books, or other expenses.

The scholarship judges were Pastor Ryan Lun from the Good Neighbor Lutheran Church, Dean Rizzo, president of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, and Lisa Mui, South Cove Manor board member and senior corporate counsel at Granite Telecommunications.

“We were simply bowled over with the response we received to the call for applications,” Ms. Mui said.  “It was a very competitive process given all the wonderful work our young people are doing with elders.  Every student who applied inspired our panel of judges and deserves an award.  We thank them all for their service.”

Opened in Boston in 1985, South Cove Manor moved into their new state-of-the-art building at 288 Washington Street in Quincy in May 2014, expanding their rehabilitation capacity significantly, and creating a series of small resident communities for elders.

Governor Baker Announces Historic Federal Disaster Assistance for Last Winter’s Record Snowfall

Governor Baker Announces Historic Federal Disaster Assistance for Last Winter’s Record Snowfall

Municipalities, state agencies, private non-profits receiving over $120 million in FEMA reimbursements

FRAMINGHAM – Governor Charlie Baker was joined today by federal, state and local emergency management officials to provide an update on federal disaster assistance reimbursements to municipalities, state agencies and eligible private non-profit organizations for storm-related costs as a result of last winter’s record snowfall. The projected $120 million in disaster assistance, with nearly $60 million earmarked for municipal reimbursements, represents the Commonwealth’s largest public assistance disaster in history.

“Working closely with our federal and local partners, I’m proud that Massachusetts is securing this critical budgetary relief as a result of last winter’s damages, especially for our impacted cities and towns,” said Governor Baker. “The Commonwealth’s largest public assistance disaster in history will ensure resources are available to make important repairs as we focus on our ongoing disaster preparedness and the upcoming winter season.”

“These reimbursements provide crucial resources and support for our cities and towns after costly winter snowfall and damages last year,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I thank our emergency management officials and their federal partners for their hard work and close collaboration with our municipalities throughout this process.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), working in concert with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), has distributed nearly $24 million of the projected $120 million in federal reimbursements for eligible costs associated with the snowstorm and accompanying coastal flooding that impacted the Commonwealth between January 26-28, 2015.  This is the largest public assistance disaster undertaking in the history of the Commonwealth, involving more than 650 applicants and 1,200 project worksheets. FEMA expects to obligate 90 percent of federal disaster assistance dollars in the next 90 days.

“FEMA has worked diligently this past year to support the Commonwealth after the historic winter storms, and will continue assisting to increase their resiliency for future storms,” FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Mark Landry stated.

“The $120 million in disaster assistance represents FEMA’s 75 percent share of the $160 million total damage costs incurred during last winter,” stated MEMA Director and State Coordinating Officer Kurt Schwartz. “MEMA continues to work closely with FEMA to manage over 1,200 Project Work Sheets from more than 600 applicants in Massachusetts’ largest public disaster exercise to date.”

As a result of Governor Baker’s written request to President Obama for federal disaster assistance, assistance was authorized last April under a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance (PA) for ten counties that exceeded federal financial thresholds, including Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester Counties. Hazard Mitigation Assistance was also awarded to the Commonwealth.

Governor Baker was joined at the announcement by emergency management officials from Boston, Worcester and Nantucket. The City of Boston has already been reimbursed $2.8 million for a portion of their contracted snow removal costs. Worcester has been reimbursed over $500,000 for contracted snow removal costs and Nantucket has been reimbursed $17,000 for debris removal of a damaged pier and anticipates over $800,000 in reimbursements for pier repairs in the coming days. FEMA and MEMA continues to work with these, and all eligible entities, on calculating and distributing remaining reimbursements.

"In Boston, we have learned lessons from the challenges of last year's historic amount of snow and worked to take every step to prepare for this year," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "However, we know that's only possible when we work together, and I am grateful for FEMA and the Baker Administration for helping to secure this critical reimbursement funding as we prepare for another winter in Boston."

“The numbers from last winter are daunting: one-hundred twelve inches of snow, eleven-thousand nine-hundred tons of salt, over eighteen thousand service calls, and six-point-four-million dollars in costs to the City of Worcester,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty. “Through that historic winter both the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor were never more than a phone call away.  Every time they answered the phone their first question was simply, ‘What else can we do for your city?’”

“After winter storm Juno, our island sustained significant damage, specifically rendering our Town Pier unusable.  Working together in a coordinated effort with our state and federal partners we were able to secure funding for debris removal and repair of one of the most vital parts of our community,” said Nantucket Town Manager Libby Gibson. “It meant a lot to us that Governor Baker and members of his staff took the time to visit Nantucket in the hours immediately following the storm to see the damage first hand. We are extremely grateful to the Commonwealth for facilitating reimbursement for these costs.”

Under the PA Program for this Declaration, federal dollars are being provided to 650 public and eligible non-profit organizations to reimburse approximately 75 percent of eligible costs. Eligible costs include repairing, replacing, restoring or reconstructing storm-damaged public facilities, transportation networks, and coastal infrastructure; implementation of emergency protective measures, including storm-related overtime costs for first responders; and 48 hours of snow removal activities, including removal of snow from public roads, transit systems, sidewalks, and property (including roofs).