2023 has seen one of the most devastating wildfires in more than a century in America. The wildfire in Hawaii claimed 100 lives according to The New York Times.
While climate change did not explicitly cause the fire, it did aid in the speed the fire spread across the country. During the period leading up to the wildfire, Hawaii was experiencing a period of severe drought before the fire broke out on 8th August 2023 according to the US drought monitor.
With the drier than normal conditions it allowed the fire to spread quicker through the drier grass. Droughts can be attributed to one of the consequences of climate change. One of the locations where drought is becoming a higher risk is Southwest America.
COP 28, what was achieved?
Three months after the tragedy, the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) began in the United Arab Emirates.
As the conference concluded, it marked the “beginning of the end” as an agreement was reached to begin phasing out the use of fossil fuels.
During the closing speech of the conference, the UN’s Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said: “While we didn’t turn the page of fossil fuel era in Dubai, this outcome is the beginning of the end.
“Now all governments and businesses need to turn these pledges into real-economy outcomes, without delays.”
While there were landmark announcements made at the summit, there was also controversial statements made.
One of the standout moments of the conference was when the President of the summit, Sultan al-Jabier said there was “no science” behind the phasing out of fossil fuels, The Guardian reported.
Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, an environmental psychologist from the University of Bath said: “The summit this year made a historical breakthrough in acknowledging the need to phase out fossil fuels, and also made progress in compensating developing countries for loss and damage from climate change.”
During the conference, one of the measures that took a priority was the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The fund saw 31 countries contribute a total of $12.8 billion which is a new record.
Dr Gabrielle Thongs, a Geography lecturer from the University of The West Indies, explained how she would like to see funding split and utilised: “I just hope that the persons who do have access to the funds make sure that it is more comprehensive, that it goes beyond buying the equipment, that more communities are involved.”
How important are the conferences?
Professor Whitmarsh explained the importance of the COP conferences: “COP summits are the only forum for international negotiation and cooperation on climate change; as such they are essential.
“By themselves they are insufficient to limit climate change, as they have only curbed the rise in emissions and not cut emissions far enough or fast enough to keep us within the safe warning limits.”
Discussing the effectiveness of COP summits, Dr Thongs said: “Sometimes the things that are discussed in the COP summits or the decisions that have been made do not trickle down to the everyday man.
“These bigger meetings should have more participation from the people who make the decisions on the ground, because it does not always translate to the impact that you wanted to at these higher-level meetings.”
Summary of Proceedings
From the summary of proceedings, one of measures from the summit that will play an essential role in keeping global warming below the 1.5-degree Celsius target.
The target is measured from the temperatures from the pre-industrial era. Keeping to this target will have multiple benefits on a national and global scale.
According to The Royal Society some of the risks that can be reduced are:
River and surface water flooding from heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding and erosion from sea level rise.
Higher temperatures, including effects on wellbeing.
Water shortages.
Impacts on the natural environment such as further declines in native wildlife, decreased soil quality, reduced traditional fish stocks.
Spread of invasive pests and diseases.
It is important to remember that in the Paris Agreement they outlined that the goal was to keep within 2 degrees Celsius target rather than the 1.5-degree aim.
By using the 1.5-degree goal, it will result in the following changes globally:
At least 10cm less average sea level rise by 2100 than for 2 degrees Celsius, with 10 million people facing risks as a result.
Fewer droughts and floods.
Significantly less damage to ecosystems and biodiversity, including highly vulnerable coral reefs and polar regions.
Reduced impact on humans' health from heat stress and vector-borne disease.
Reduced tendency for conflict in severely affected regions and consequent increased migration pressures.
Dr Thongs explained if the 1.5-degree goal is realistic: “I don’t think we are at the point where we can think if because of what we have experienced... [and] seen worldwide.
“It is a matter of must because as difficult as things are right now, I can see it getting exponentially worse.
“The time we needed to act was years ago.”
Dr Thongs has seen first-hand the impact that climate change has had on Trinidad and Tobago.
“There have been indications that the higher temperatures we are experiencing... we have seen temperatures reach 33 or 34 degrees Celsius.”
What can be done to help?
Professor Whitmarsh offered guidance on what people can do to help lower their impact on the climate: “People can drive and fly less, eat less red meat and dairy alongside saving energy and cutting waste.
“Talking to other people... about climate change and encouraging them to act is also important. Everyone can act as consumers, citizens, employees or employers, members of communities and parents to cut their carbon footprint and also trigger wider action.”
Looking ahead to COP29
COP29 is set to take place from November 11th through 22nd 2024 in Azerbaijan.
Looking ahead to the next summit, Dr Thongs shared some of her concerns: “I just don’t think it is as inclusive as it could be. I think there are other ways to make sure that more people feel involved.
“I don’t expect tickets to be distributed to everyone who wants to go, but if there are virtual sessions, then make sure the invitations for the virtual sessions people are aware of them.”
While these summits are useful to help with implementing key strategies to help with the climate crisis, there is still work needed to ensure the maximum benefit is felt across the board as some organisations and people are unable to access the summits.
Dr Thongs said: “It’s not something that everyone and anyone can go to and obtain the funding to go there... to have their voice heard... and to be in a space where people are experiencing the same issues as you are.
“[Currently] It’s not as accessible as it should be, to the persons who are involved in not only doing the policies or the implementation on the ground.”
What role does the media have when reporting on climate?
Alongside changes to how people can access COP summits, academic experts would like to see a change in the way that media organisations are reporting on climate change and the climate emergencies that are being faced globally.
Professor Whitmarsh said: “The media must show that these events are probabilistically linked to climate change, [it] increases the chances of them occurring and their severity, and it does not directly cause individual events.”
Dr Thongs added: “The press has a very important role in showing persons not only the heightened risk that is coming, but the heightened risk also that is here and the heightened frequency and intensity of climate emergencies.”
While there have been radical plans announced during the summit, whether they will help towards reach milestones that have been is remaining to be seen.
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