World leaders have gathered in the northern Brazilian city of Belem for the annual United Nations climate summit, known as COP30. The meeting in the home of the Amazon rainforest is devoted to finding ways to fight climate change.
Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said it is "essential" for leaders to deliver "strong and clear outcomes." He added, "In Belem, we've got to marry the world of negotiations to the actions needed in the real economy."
In 2015, leaders signed the landmark Paris Agreement on fighting climate change, pledging efforts to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: "Without the Paris Agreement, the world would be doomed to catastrophic warming of almost 5 degrees by the end of the century. We are moving in the right direction but at the wrong speed."
Leaders at this year's summit have submitted new targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. However, they are still far from reaching the goal of 1.5 degrees. Island nations facing the immediate effects of climate change are calling for measures to fill the gap.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has rolled back its climate policies and slashed funding. It has sent no high-level officials to the summit. That leaves attendees facing serious headwinds in their efforts to adopt effective solutions.
The COP30 conference takes place through Friday, November 21.

Quiz 1:
What city is hosting the United Nations climate summit known as COP30?
A. Rio de Janeiro
B. Sao Paulo
C. Belo Horizonte
D. Belem

Quiz 2:
Which of the following statements best represents Simon Stiell's view about the UN climate summit in Belem?
A. The summit is not essential.
B. The summit is not needed in the real economy.
C. The summit should marry negotiations to actions in the real economy.
D. The summit is unnecessary for finding ways to fight climate change.

Quiz 3:
In what year were leaders expected to limit global warming according to the Paris Agreement?
A. 2015
B. 2020
C. 2030
D. 2040

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: D
Quiz 2: C
Quiz 3: A