The Conference of Parties to the United Nation Framework on Climate Change (COP28) kicks off today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The conference takes place in what is already known to be the hottest year ever recorded in human history and as the impacts of the climate crisis wreak unprecedented havoc on human life and livelihoods around the world. This year’s COP marks … [Read more...]
Human and economic toll of climate change on the rise
The relentless advance of climate change brought more drought, flooding and heatwaves to communities around the world last year, compounding threats to people’s lives and livelihoods, according to the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO). WMO latest State of the Global Climate report shows that the last eight years were the eight warmest on record, and that sea level … [Read more...]
Few signs of meaningful implementation at COP27
Week one of COP27 ended with precious few signs of meaningful implementation in sight. The first week is dedicated to working groups wrangling with technical issues and drafting wording for ministerial negotiations in week two. Separating the two phases, Sunday saw the formal proceedings going into recess for a day, allowing delegates, observers, press and salespeople to … [Read more...]
COP27: voluntary initiatives should become a “new normal”
While a growing number of governments and non-State actors are pledging to be carbon-free, the criteria for net-zero commitments can have loopholes wide enough to “drive a diesel truck through,” the UN Secretary-General decried as his expert group on the matter published its first report on Tuesday. The report slams greenwashing – misleading the public to believe that a … [Read more...]
Pollution and climate change upsurge the risk of ‘climate penalty’
A rise in the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves will not only increase wildfires this century but also worsen air quality – harming human health and ecosystems, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched on Wednesday, the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. “As the globe warms, wildfires and associated air … [Read more...]
There’s no time for more oil and gas
With little more than seven (7) years till 2030 – by which time the world should have dramatically curbed its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as part of a global effort to keep global warming below 1.5°C – The Green Connection says that it will continue to oppose government’s worrying offshore oil and gas aspirations. In its comments on the Draft Scoping Report (DSR) sent … [Read more...]
G7 must show bold climate leadership now
In the face of mounting global crises, the G7 leaders must show bold climate leadership at its meeting starting on Sunday. The G7 is a grouping of countries representing the world’s seven most advanced economies - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The meeting will take place from 26 to 28 June, under the leadership of German … [Read more...]
Nature’s essential role in fighting climate change
The planet’s natural systems are vital for all our futures, and yet, the rate of global loss of nature during the past 50 years is unprecedented in human history. Nature not only provides us with food, water, clean air, and other services, it is also one of our strongest allies against climate change. We are already seeing the impacts of climate change in our warming world. … [Read more...]
Taking climate action now can secure our future
Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption in nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around the world, despite efforts to reduce the risks. People and ecosystems least able to cope are being hardest hit, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, released last month. “This report is … [Read more...]
Tipping points lead to drastic changes in ecosystems
The danger of irreversibility. This is the big message from Monday’s new IPCC report. We’re reaching irreversible tipping points that will lead to drastic changes in ecosystems with devastating effects for all life on this planet. This report is yet another wake up call and it is finally time for a different response. For some time now, many of us focused on solutions to the … [Read more...]
Financing the future we want
With the climate crisis threatening over half of the global GDP, there can be no business-as-usual when the world begins to plan for a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, we have a unique opportunity to change our relationship with nature by shifting our development pathway to one that is equitable and sustainable. Development Finance Institutions may be the … [Read more...]
Only 12 years to avert 2 degrees of global warming
Only half a degree warmer would result in double the severity of the consequences to this planet. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report was released on 8th October. It focuses on the differences between a 1.5- and 2-degree global warming future climate scenario. The main points of the report, based on 6000 scientific papers and approved by all … [Read more...]
UN climate report set to establish ‘global carbon budget’
The UN's landmark climate science report is likely to set a figure on the amount of fossil fuels that can be burnt if global warming is to be limited to safe levels. It could warn that less than a quarter of the planet’s oil, coal and gas reserves can be consumed between now and 2050, and set a worldwide ‘carbon emission budget’. Previous studies have indicated that the … [Read more...]
