The 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21), that occurred in December, stirred up the climate change debate and has everyone from Bill Gates to high school science teachers talking. However, the question has changed from whether or not climate change is real to how do we stop, or at least limit, climate change?

The general goals laid out in the COP21 agreement is to limit the rise in average global temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius by 2100 and that nations should reach carbon neutrality (zero carbon emissions) between 2050 and 2100. The majority of nations present at the conference proposed a plan for their country to contribute toward the 2 degree cap and carbon neutrality.

 This agreement, the numerous debates, and the very alarming, very realistic, words of President Obama, “no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than a changing climate,” are compelling reasons to believe that action is finally taking place. And this action and vision for a healthier planet will be passed on for future generations to take over.

That is, if the next generation realizes the importance and rapidity at which clean energy is required.

Cody Brandt, a junior at Whitefish High School, is one teenager who recognizes the need for action and one of the flaws in the COP21 agreement. Although these plans are headed in the right direction, there is no punishment for not adhering to the timeline or for not following the plans at all. Cody thinks that “accountability is the only way, otherwise people are going to do whatever is easiest.”

What may be “easiest” for one country could hurt the entire world. This is why the developing countries are to receive $100 billion a year from developed nations to aid them in switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. It’s hard to say “no” to a good idea when someone else is providing the money.

Although these plans sound good in theory, many studies have reported that if the countries do exactly what they have proposed, no more and no less, the average global temperature will still rise above 2 degrees, causing extreme climate events and displacing millions of people because of rising sea levels. According to Cody, countries need to be more ambitious with these plans, and “it will take everyone’s participation because no one can be left behind.”

Unless we want the earth to turn out like a dystopian novel, it’s time we all started contributing to the clean energy movement. Teenagers have the most responsibility because, although we didn’t create the harmful forms of energy and we didn’t start the deforestation of the rainforest, we are the ones who will be running the world when the most crucial decisions will have to be made.

Climate change is a crisis we are living in now, but it doesn’t have to be forever. When asked if humans have an obligation to restore the earth, Cody responded, “Absolutely, we live here. What other option do we have?”

— Cassidy Grady is a senior at Whitefish High School