Less than a year after the world was first hit by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak — which has gone on to become the worst pandemic in more than 100 years, killing almost 2 million people so far — the world already had its first vaccines.

The leaders of more than 70 nations who participated in the Climate Ambition Summit — hosted on Dec. 12 by the UN, UK and France — were no doubt patting themselves on the back at end of their virtual meeting.