During the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 midterm elections, the debate over the reality of climate change has become a hot topic of contention for many people. However, new information released by leading climate change researchers with the support from the United Nations may change the landscape of climate change discourse.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a statement this past month warning that vast reforms must be taken by government and individuals alike to prevent global temperatures from rising two point seven degrees Fahrenheit (one point five degrees Celsius).

“Human caused carbon dioxide emissions need to be cut by nearly half of 2010 levels by 2030 to stave off the worst effects of climate change. Scientists said rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society are required to limit the possibility of irreversible environmental damage,” Stephanie Ebbs, a reporter for ABC News, said.

However, these warnings conflict with modern American policies. Since being elected, President Donald Trump has promised to protect oil, coal and gas jobs regardless of whatever environmental risk they may pose. Trump has also pulled America from the Paris Climate Change agreement. The Paris Climate Change agreement was ratified in 2015 under former President Barack Obama and it went into affect in 2016. The agreement would have established regulations with the intended goal of keeping global temperature increases below three point six degrees Fahrenheit (two degrees Celsius). These regulations would potentially include outlawing the use of fossil fuels. The climate accords also pledged over a billion dollars to impoverished countries negatively affected by the declined use of fossil fuels.

While a three point six degrees Fahrenheit increase in temperature may sound inconsequential, the affects are undeniable. One major effect of rising temperatures would more intense natural disasters, especially hurricanes and typhoons, caused by the extra energy absorbed by the oceans. Another major change caused by the temperature would be the increased intensity and frequency of heat waves. These heat waves would occur all over the world, including the entirety of the United States. The heat waves are predicted to be so unbearable, they could make large swaths of working class individuals unable to properly function and threaten the lives of many elderly people.

One of the other major effects of climate change is the risk it poses to coral reefs. Coral reefs help to protect the coastlines from storms by safeguarding against excess erosion and weathering. Seeing as 39 percent of the world’s population lives on the coast, these coral reefs play a vital role in safeguarding the world’s coasts.

“It was given to me. And I want to look at who drew it. You know, which group drew it. I can give you reports that are fabulous and I can give you reports that aren’t so good,” Trump, about the reports on climate change, said.

This assuring response lets the American people know the Trump will continue to review the climate change issue and possibly enact legislation to safeguard against climate change’s negative effects. However, Trump’s response leaves a little more to be desired, as many voters were left without a confirmation on whether Trump and the Republican Party will back legislation that limits the effects of climate change.

Other countries, especially those apart of the European Union, have pledged to increase regulation on the market and consumer consumption to reach the United Nation’s goal of keeping global temperatures at the desired levels. Already, the European Union has banned one- use plastics in their entirety.

“The fight against climate change is by far the most significant struggle of our times… climate change adds further injustice to an already unfair world,” Emmanuel Macron, President of France, said.

While President Macron’s words may not be seen as entirely true, they characterize the sentiments felt by many European leaders, providing a further hope that the earth will remain as beautiful for the next generation as it was for this one and the ones that came before it.