SW News 18

COP till you drop

The long anticipated COP26 has finally started. As we write this, watching from afar via media coverage and twitter feeds, it feels like being in the back row of a theatre observing the choreographed speeches of presidents and prime ministers on stage, while hearing real life dramas unfold amongst the protestors outside. There are lots of different voices all vying to be heard and it will be fascinating to see who will emerge as the real leaders and influencers – the politicians or the people.

As with previous COPs, there is a focus on numbers. We know we must limit global heating to 1.5°C, but scientists tell us that in reality we are on a trajectory towards 3°C. In his speech at COP26 yesterday, Sir David Attenborough added another number to the mix: 419 parts per million – the current level of CO2 in the atmosphere. He said:

“The people alive now and the generations to come will look at this conference and consider just one thing: did that number start to drop and stop rising as a result of commitments made here.”

That’s it in a nutshell. After all the promises and pledges, the negotiations and the agreements, it will come down to a single number and the actions we take as governments, businesses and citizens to bring it down in a fast and fair way.

On a global scale, it feels like an overwhelming task. But it is still possible – just. As Kevin O’ Sullivan writes in the Irish Times, the essential ingredient for big action is “hope that is not masquerading as naivety. It is the antidote to fear and powerlessness.” 

So at a time when you may be feeling powerless as you watch the COP26 drama play out, here are some articles that we hope will give you hope:

Kevin O’ Sullivan on 12 reasons we can be optimistic about climate action;

Bill McKibben on how the cost of renewables is falling and citizen power is rising;

Solitaire Townsend on how businesses can take meaningful action by being honest, calling for policy change, and selling climate solutions.

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