Why is climate change denied by so many? How is it possible to believe in conspiracy theories that some “dark forces” are at work to control the elements? These hidden rulers, not climate change, caused the unbearable rise of global warming. That they schemed and caused wrecking hurricanes, out-of-control forest fires, devastating floods, fatal droughts, and other disasters?
To borrow a quote: This is a puzzlement!
We were told the decade 2010–2019 was the warmest on record, and we all know of the disruption this caused in affected regions, with disastrous results for the most vulnerable! According to the UNFCCC, global climate finance flows were $803 billion on average annually in 2019–2020, up 12% from the previous years. This was not enough to limit warming. Fossil fuel flows exceeded climate financing in 2020.
The 2015 Paris Agreement had an impact, with creative solutions ready for implementation, according to the September 2023 first global stockade report. However, it also stated that implementation “must be accelerated rapidly.” The technical discussion was based on the “best available science,” which will underpin political messaging and identify opportunities for enhanced climate action and support.
The actions already taken have significantly reduced forecasts of future warming. At the same time, scientists call for urgent reform of energy, industry, transport, food, agriculture, and forestry systems to keep the global temperature well below 2°C, at best below 1.5°C. The report’s technical findings show that more is needed to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.
In recent years, awareness of the crisis has increased. Yet dependency on fossil fuels continued and grew in some sectors and countries. Continued economic growth is still the goal of many businesses, investors, and governments concerned only with short-term business and the bottom line.
Business as usual has to change if the 1.5°C target is to be achieved. Therefore, a plan of action was proposed to the September gathering to achieve a soft change and deliver what is needed.
With migration already at an alarming point, impacting the lives of so many, the time for action is NOW.