In 2020, the world reeled from the worst public health crisis in a century and extreme weather events brought on by climate change. So, what challenges lie ahead in 2021?

2020 has been one for the record books. Not only will it be known as the year of the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s also likely to be the hottest year on record. Governments around the world have laid out ambitious climate targets in an effort to lessen the effects of global warming.

To discuss:

• Changhua Wu is the Executive Director at the Professional Association for China’s Environment.
• Sweta Chakraborty is a Risk and Behavioral Scientist and expert on climate science.
• Joseph Williams is the Senior News Editor with U.S. News and World Report.
• Alice C. Hill is a Senior Fellow for Energy and Environment at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

For More: 

One of the most significant energy events in 2020 was when China made the biggest and perhaps most far-reaching promise of all on climate change, pledging to zero out its emissions by 2060. Our best reads on the dramatic shift in energy policy:https://t.co/NgtaGO3Aur

— Foreign Policy (@ForeignPolicy) December 22, 2020

Biden wants to make the climate fight central to his presidency. What do big oil and gas firms think about that? https://t.co/9nDPZoHtQU

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 23, 2020

Billions of tons of carbon are locked away in environments that are being destroyed.

If we protect them, they can help tackle climate change. If we lose them, the impact on the planet could be devastating: https://t.co/ZmlCGxEeos pic.twitter.com/FLqWMtijzo

— CNN (@CNN) December 23, 2020

"Climate politics now has the momentum, and that will drive Biden's presidency at home and abroad," writes @StCollinson | Analysis https://t.co/tvwpRd4msR

— CNN (@CNN) December 23, 2020