What is COP26, and how can I get involved?
COP26 comes to Glasgow this year. This is a pivotal point in the discussions around climate change. But what’s it all about, and how can we be a part if it?
What is COP26?
COP26 is the coming together of over 200 nations to discuss, and find solutions to, the global climate and biodiversity crises.
COP stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’; this is the 26th one, and in the time since the first COP, climate change has not only worsened, but found its way dramatically up the political agenda, and into people’s awareness. These conferences are essential to review global approaches to the issue, since the impacts of one nation can have far reaching effects around the world.
This year, COP26 is being hosted by the UK, in Glasgow, in November. This is a particularly important COP because, as well as being widely regarded as the most pivotal point yet in our need to stop runway climate change, it marks 5 years since the Paris Agreement - the agreed time when those commitments must be reviewed and updated.
What is the Paris Agreement?
This was a unique commitment by all attending parties at COP21 in Paris in 2015 to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees, and make funds available to tackle this global issue. Why is this important? We’re already starting to see the effects that warming our planet is having - floods, fires and melting ice caps are just the tip of the iceberg. Global heating has severe implications for human health from loss of livelihoods to death of some of the most vulnerable people around the globe, many of whom live in nations with some of the lowest carbon emissions. This is a global humanitarian crisis as well as an ecological one.
Gannets at Troup Head, Scotland. By James Appleton Photography
Much of the discussion around climate change is understandably focussed on carbon emissions, which is without doubt one of the main drivers of our changing climate. However nature and biodiversity loss also have a vital role to play, and our planet’s ecosystems are threatened by over-exploitation and destruction. I have serious concerns that much of the discussion around climate change and COP26 is around decarbonising our societies, not around restoring and protecting nature. Nature, in particular biodiversity, is in crisis. The Living Planet Index, which synthesises trends in vertebrate populations, has declined rapidly since 1970, falling by 40% for terrestrial species, 84% for freshwater species and 35% for marine species.
The importance of biodiversity is discussed in my next post here. Briefly - biodiversity - the variation both within and between species, is essential for the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. But it is also vital in sequestering and locking away carbon.
My friends at Save Our Rivers wrote a really important article interpreting the 2019 IPCC report. Please have a read.
How can I get involved?
The statistics and conversations around climate change and biodiversity loss can be really overwhelming, and many folk suffer with what has been coined Eco-anxiety and Eco-grief; the very real feelings of overwhelm, worry and sadness at the state our planet is currently in.
I wrote a blog with some of the things I find most helpful for handling Eco-Anxiety.
I strongly believe that one of the antidotes to the overwhelm of eco-anxiety is action, and here are just a few ways you can be involved with the activities at COP26.
1. Join the Global Day of Action on 6th November. The COP26 Coalition is organising decentralised mass mobilisations of people around the world on 6th November. I will be in Glasgow itself with my friends from Save Our Rivers and Protect Our Winters.
2. Get involved with the conversations happening on the ground at COP26. There is a programme of public-accessible events, the “Green Zone” at Glasgow Science Museum. You can register for them here. There are also many non-official Fringe events, which you can find out more about here.
3. Get involved locally - join a local organisation or community group such as one of the XR or Wildlife Trust groups; write to your local MP and advise them of what is important to you, and look out for nature restoration and protection projects in your local area that you can get involved in.
4. Tell someone else about COP26. Not everybody knows about this conference, or the implications of climate change and nature loss. Who can you talk to about it? Who can you inspire to learn more?
School Children in a Fridays for Future protest in Keswick, October 2021
It can be really challenging to stay positive amongst the scary facts about our planet’s current trajectory, but I find myself focussing on the increase in passion and understanding from the public, and especially from children, that we’ve seen in bucket loads recently. This will provide the political will to make the bold changes that are needed to protect what we love. Whatever you do, don’t lose faith in your ability to change things for the better. We all have a stake in the health of our planet; all of our voices are valid, and I hope you find a way to make yours heard this November.
Thank you for reading.
Useful links:
COP26 Website: https://ukcop26.org/
Save Our Rivers - Outdoors For Action - https://saveourrivers.org/cop26-outdoors-for-action/