The COP26 climate summit taking place in Glasgow has been ongoing for ten days, to mixed reactions from leaders, activists and the public alike.
COP26 – for the Few, not the Many? Activists Call the Validity of the Climate Summit into Question
In recent days, the very legitimacy of the 26th “Conference of the parties” has been called into question by climate justice activists. Global figures, such as Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, and members of the public recently attended a 100,000 strong protest march through the streets of Glasgow, decrying what they see as the hollow words and familiar inaction of global leaders. Prominent Ugandan climate justice activist, Vanessa Nakate, was one of the primary speakers at the event. Ms Nakate addressed the assembled protesters, saying:
“The climate and ecological crises are already here. But so are citizens from around the globe. Leaders rarely have the courage to lead. It takes citizens, people like you and me, to rise up and demand action. And when we do that in great enough numbers, our leaders will move.”
As well as Ms Nakate, many speakers from indigenous communities worst affected by the climate crisis addressed the crowd, detailing the struggles of their communities and the need for serious – and swift – action from world leaders. The march is the largest climate protest recorded in the city’s history.
“Many speakers from indigenous communities worst affected by the climate crisis addressed the crowd, detailing the struggles of their communities and the need for serious – and swift – action from world leaders.”
Forgotten “Global South” – Not Enough Being Done, Claim Activists
Activists identified and drew attention to the fact that those who live in less economically developed nations – the so-called “global south” – are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Those who live in regions like Latin America, Asia and Africa (among others) are responsible for a lot less pollution per capita but are the ones bearing the brunt of the changing climate, including colossal deforestation, forest fires, and destructive geological events such as tsunamis and hurricanes. People living in these conditions and the activists interested in addressing these issues accused certain leaders and delegates attending COP26 of not doing enough to aid these nations worst affected.
African nations are attempting to open discussions regarding financial aid, stating they need $700 billion (£520 billion) a year – starting from 2025 – to help tackle the climate issues their countries face.
Old Boy’s Club – Fossil Fuel Industry’s Delegates Outnumber Every Nation
It has been revealed by activists that delegates associated with the oil and gas industries – that trade in the very finite resources that many climate activists want to move away from – number higher than any other group or nation at COP26. Analysing the UN’s provisional list of named attendees, campaigners claim 503 delegates are associated with the fossil fuel industry – two dozen more than the next most numerous contingent.
Barack on the Attack – but Offers Hope on the Horizon
Popular former US president Barack Obama has arrived in Glasgow and had much to say to world leaders, in a speech urging them to “step up and step up now” in an attempt to galvanise the slow-moving political machine. Mr Obama was also critical of China and Russia in particular, arguing the lack of either nation’s leader appearing at COP as a sign of a “dangerous absence of urgency” among both nations’ leadership.
Mr Obama admitted that he felt hopeless and that the future could be bleak at times, but he also offered notes of hope and optimism for those in attendance:
“Cynicism is the recourse for cowards and we can’t afford hopelessness” and he added, addressing those activists and delegates of the younger generation, “If those older folks won’t listen, they need to get out of the way. Vote like your life depends upon it, because it does.”
This is the second entry in our three-part series on COP26. To find out more about the objectives of COP26, click here, and check out this link, to read about how actors are greenwashing at the COP26 forum.