1The past decade has brought a relentless series of record-breaking heatwaves to many parts of the globe.
2Last summer, temperatures in some southern regions exceeded forty five degrees for several consecutive weeks.
3Climate scientists insist that such extremes are no longer natural variations but unmistakable signs of a changing climate.
4This year alone, devastating floods have destroyed thousands of homes in three different countries around the world.
5Meanwhile, prolonged droughts across several continents have reduced harvests and driven up food prices worldwide.
6At the recent international climate summit, nearly two hundred nations agreed on ambitious new targets.
7They promised to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by half within the next fifteen years.
8Richer countries also pledged billions of dollars to help poorer nations adapt to the changing climate.
9Critics point out, however, that very similar promises in the past were never fully honoured.
10Environmental groups are now demanding legally binding rules instead of weak voluntary commitments from governments.
11Most experts agree that the decisions made in the next few years will be absolutely critical for the planet.