CAN COP26 KEEP TO THE 1.5 DEGREE GOAL ?

The Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland is at the most critical stage.  This is where the nations must agree on goals for the next few years and to give some hope to those watching that these promises (if the nations can agree) will be put into practice at home.  As Boris Johnson, host of the summit said, it is a matter of survival for some island nations. For the rest of us, not meeting the goal, means a continuation of extreme storms, droughts, floods, wildfires and sea level rise.  For this reason, Johnson again addressed the COP26 Wed, Nov. 10, 2012, with a draft proposal.  He is asking for nations to come together to improve on their target goals for 2030, phase out the coal and fossil fuel subsidies and to boost financial aid to developing countries to cope with impacts and move faster toward green energy. It was met with disagreement especially from India and others who are struggling to provide energy to their people.  African nations want to make sure the creation of a carbon market is developed to aid developing countries.  Alok Sharma, president of the COP26, said that compromise is essential and, “what we agree on in Glasgow will set the future for our children and grandchildren”.  While agreeing that compromise is important, Neil Harris, professor of atmospheric informatics at Cranfield University in England, says that some national goals will miss the mark and allow warming to rise to between two and 2.4 C.  This would assure disastrous consequences and may prove to be a tipping point for the planet.  There are many concerns, with some progress in pledges of both actions and funds. However, the draft compromise is a work in progress   This is the time for courage in decision making.  After the summit, words need to turn into actions.  The question remains, do countries really believe the science and can they use political will to truly begin to solve the problem?  No country is immune--we are truly connected in this struggle. 

EARTH STEWARD ACTION:  Please pray for all the nations of the world as they make decisions that will affect all of us.  Continue to work on personal carbon footprint goals.

SOURCES: www.bloomerg.com/news/articles/2921-11-10/draft-urges-nation-to-tighten-2030-climate-goals-cop26-update  and www.theguardian.com-environment/2021/nov/09/cop26-sets-course-for-disaterous-heating-of-more-than2.4c-says-key-report