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by Jasmine Perkins
As the final week of COP 26 draws to a close and the leaders finish up their discussions on the worsening climate crisis, the world reflects upon the pledges made with cautious hope for progress. The two-week long Glasgow conference has generated both positive and negative reactions from varying societal groups, world leaders and influential figures but most of us share the hope that the decisions made will forge the change necessary for future generations to prosper alongside the environment.
So what is COP 26? COP stands for Conference Of the Parties and is usually held every year for world leaders to gather and discuss the framework on which they will make changes to slow the rate of destructive climate change. Due to the disruptive nature of COVID-19, the last COP occurred in 2019 in Madrid. Since pandemic restrictions have been reduced by many countries, COPs have resumed and this year’s conference was held in Glasgow. Leaders from all over the world have once again met up and many new policies and targets have been set in place, whether these will actually bring about the intended change is yet to be seen. However, many are skeptical.
Greta Thunberg has famously spoken out in distaste for the leaders within COP 26 and their false, empty promises, or ‘’Blah, blah, blah.’’ She believes that the conference won’t inspire the volume of change needed and that real alteration will have to come from outside of the power sphere: from empowered protesters and young people desperate to salvage their futures. A passionate speech in Glasgow last week from the young activist, stated these ideas and encouraged people to look upon this meeting as a ‘’failure,’’ as it is impossible to solve these self-inflicted problems with the same methods that created it. Although it is comforting to leave this crisis in the hands of large world leaders, Thunberg’s statements are grounded in fact. For example many have criticised the conference’s organisation as attendee’s arrived in private jets that are clearly raising the global carbon footprint. Additionally, it is evident that in the past, leaders haven’t been the quickest to enforce changes that don’t benefit themselves. Despite this, hands have been shaken ,or should I say elbows have been touched, to move humanity in a more positive direction.
Most recently, the world’s biggest carbon emitters (China and the US) have agreed to cooperate and work together to boost the rate of the reduction of CO2. China’s reluctance to tackle their high coal emissions, makes this collaboration all the more significant as they pledge to reduce methane emissions, quicken the transition to clean energy sources and de-carbonisation. Other countries have also made large promises: 100 pledge to stop deforestation by 2030, 100 pledge to cut 30% of methane emissions by 2030 and more than 40 have agreed to begin to shift away from the use of coal. Although small and possibly insufficient, these are all important steps and signal that most countries acknowledge the urgent need to change.
In reflection, opinions and viewpoints on the validity and actual effectiveness of COP 26 have been varied and polarizing. Some believe that it is still not enough and others cling to the hope it will prevent the worst that climate change promises from occurring in the future. There is no doubt of the significance of the conference being held after the slow lift of COVID restrictions and as the world returns to a new normal, it is both inspiring and eye-opening to see the agreements and disagreements decided upon in these past two weeks.
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