Day 306 – This isn’t the first climate summit and it won’t be the last. However, it has become very clear that real change needs to happen and it needs to happen now. Climate change is no longer something we are trying to prevent, it is here and it is wreaking havoc across the world. Deadly droughts, wildfires, and major flooding are just a few of the extreme weather events that we can blame on climate change. The hope is that the COP26 will address the climate issue and create solid solutions. The time for talk has past. Action is needed now.
The climate meetings have been taking place since 1992. Countries signed a treaty promising to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and prevent dangerous changes to the climate. This Conference of Parties has been gathering almost every year. This year is the 26th meeting. As a result you have the COP26.
The Climate Summit started on October 31st in Glasgow, Scotland. It will last for two weeks. Diplomats from almost 200 countries are present, along with celebrities, industry groups, climate activists, academic researchers and protesters. They all have their own priorities, but the hope is they can at least agree that the planet is in crisis and desperately needs our help.
So, what is COP26 supposed to accomplish?
“There’s one main goal: get closer to fulfilling promises that nations made six years ago at COP21 in Paris. Under the Paris Agreement, countries pledged to collectively cut their greenhouse emissions enough to keep the planet from heating up more than 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), compared with pre-industrial times. Wealthy countries also promised large amounts of aid to poorer nations to help them cope with climate change and to reduce their own greenhouse emissions.” – NPR
Sadly, these meetings have not accomplished much over its 26 year history. The overall temperature of the planet has increased more in the last 25 years than it has in the last 150 years. We can only hope that our leaders choose to work together for the betterment of this planet.
The climate crisis can’t be solved in two weeks, but hopefully the summit will end with a solid plan to save the planet.
Tomorrow, forward-thinking recycling programs.
365 Ways to Save the Planet 