Thought For The Day – Monday 21st November 2022
COP 27
After going into extra time, the United Nations’ Conference of the Parties (COP) Summit 27 on Climate Change in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt concluded at the weekend.
Almost 200 countries pledged to launch a fund to support “the loss and damage” of developing and vulnerable nations worst-hit by climate change and global warming.
This was an historic breakthrough with regard to climate justice.
The initiative was led by Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister, Sherry Rehman. A third of Pakistan was devastated by floods earlier this year.
However, many said the summit did not go far enough on cutting the carbon emissions that cause climate change.
Mr. Alok Sharma, the UK government representative at the conference, who was president of last year’s climate talks in Glasgow, highlighted omissions in the agreement in a speech: “Emissions peaking before 2025, as the science tells us is necessary – not in this text. Clear follow-through on the phase-down of coal – not in this text. A clear commitment to phase out all fossil fuels – not in this text.”
UN Secretary General Mr. António Guterres stated that the agreement did not address the need for drastic reductions and the planet is still “in the emergency room”.
The overarching (main) agreement from COP27 maintains the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. But experts say current policies set us on track for a rise of about 2.7C.
Many in the world, including us here at TBSHS, will continue to raise awareness of vital environmental and ethical issues, so important for our present and future, so crucial for our children’s children and our children’s children’s children.
