The nations of the world gathered at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) last month to come to an agreement on the urgent mission of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, all they produced was an attractive vision statement that is more sham than solution.

It is imperative that the world invests significantly and quickly in climate mitigation strategies to reduce the human and economic cost of climate change, which is where COP21 fell short. The vague wording of the final declaration gives too much wiggle room for nations to avoid painful choices.

"This agreement is a great escape for the big polluters, and a poisoned chalice for the poor," concludes Asad Rehman from the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice. "We've got some warm words about temperature levels, but no concrete action."