The urgency of addressing global warming is more apparent than ever, with climate change-induced extreme weather events wreaking havoc across the world. As COP28 engagements occur in Dubai, the United Nations has chosen youth as a central force in the battle against climate change. The WMO predicts that, for each of the next four years, the global average temperature is likely to swing between 1.1 and 1.8 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels, largely driven by human-induced climate change.
The consequences of delayed action are already evident in global warming. Globally, June was the hottest in the 174-year records kept by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This year the amount of sea ice measured was the lowest global June sea ice on record, primarily due to record-low sea ice levels in the Antarctic. Over 93 million people in the United States were under excessive heat warnings and heat advisories. Record high fires caused some of the worst air quality around the world.
In Southeast Asia the transboundary haze plagued Malaysia and Singapore this year as peatland fires intensified in Indonesia. This toxic haze in turn becomes a serious driver of climate change. The combination of anthropogenic climate change and El Niño has spiked some of these extreme events. At a different level, a record number of people died while attempting to climb Mount Everest this year with the thinning of the glaciers, the topography of the mountains has become less reliable.
With Climate science we have begun to reshape our understanding towards the collapse of ancient civilizations. The Roman Empire, for instance, thrived during a period of stable warm weather, enabling prosperity. Triggered by volcanic activity, the "Late Antique Little Ice Age" brought crop failures, famine, and poor health. Similarly Angkor, the Khmer Empire's capital in Cambodia, supported 750,000 people over 400 square miles. Two prolonged "megadroughts" followed by heavy monsoons caused devastating floods that destroyed Angkor. Using techniques like carbon dating, isotope analysis of sediments, and tree coring researchers have unveiled the role of climate change in the demise of civilizations.
COP28 Conference: A Pivotal Opportunity
COP28, the 28th annual UN Climate Change Conference running in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, brings together representatives from over 190 countries.
The United States has taken a leadership role by setting a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. With seven years to go,
The US government is engaged in multiple sectors, including electricity, transportation, and agriculture to meet this ambitious target.
The commitment to reaching the 1.5-degree goal extends beyond the United States. Countries representing 65 percent of global GDP have set targets to keep global warming within a 1.5-degree limit. Per International Energy Agency global clean energy spending must rise from USD 1.8 trillion in 2023 to USD 4.5 trillion annually by the early 2030s to meet the target.
Encouragingly, the COP28 conference has started on a high note with 124 countries committing $1 billion towards Climate and Health, a financial support for developing countries integral to addressing adaptation and mitigation efforts. Although a significant breakthrough, this is the starting point. While mitigation efforts help, success in achieving the environmental goals can only come by addressing their root causes. The political will of nations will continue to be tested as these efforts call for urgent sacrifices with potential economic impact, in exchange for long-term sustainability. While most nations have lagged in their commitments, credit goes to India in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The imminent global warming crisis, exacerbated by extreme weather events, requires swift and decisive action. COP28 offers a critical opportunity for nations to recommit to ambitious climate goals. Youth-led climate activism is at the forefront of this movement, demanding stronger climate policies and implementing them with passion and dedication.
The transition to clean energy, investment in innovative technologies, and international cooperation are key components of this multifaceted approach. Achieving the 1.5- degree Celsius goal is a monumental task, but it represents a collective responsibility to protect our planet for future generations. As we stand on the precipice of a climate emergency, it is time for humanity to act with unwavering commitment and dedication to secure a sustainable future.