This week at COP25 has definitely been a unique and eye-opening experience; I am so glad I had the opportunity to attend. I feel exhausted from the overload of information, and I only attended for one week; I can’t even imagine how much negotiators or others have had to deal with when attending these past two weeks. As I reflect back on my time, I realize how much I have learned about climate change, climate solutions and differing perspectives in this past week alone. Some of it has been very sobering -like the fact that between 70-90% of all coral reefs will die because of the warming that is already occurring and that there is 75% less arctic ice in the summer than 50 years ago. In addition, one of the sessions I attended about the “Planetary Emergency” even discussed that in order to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, we will need complete systemic transformation of our society. This idea was an especially disheartening one as it seems to be quite difficult and ambitious to achieve, but understandable after hearing about how much of our government, economy and society is ingrained in ways that are not compatible for a sustainable lifestyle (including my own). But despite these sad realizations, I’ve also learned that there is still a lot that can be done.
For instance, I learned about work being done to create lasting protections for the entire Arctic Circle from drilling and destructive industry (Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary), protections for regenerative coral reefs that include adaptation pathways for local communities (Coral Reef Rescue Initiative), and nature based solutions which would include co-benefits for food security and biodiversity, just to name three of the many solutions discussed at COP25. These solutions were the glimmer of hope in an otherwise not so hopeful week of side events, negotiations and speeches.
Several of the sessions that I attended had already started discussing the steps that need to be taken to prepare for the COP26 in 2020. Ambition needs to be significantly increased, natural climate solutions has been has shifted to be a focus for mitigation and adaptation, and financing has been of huge debate that needs to be resolved. Many experts led convincing discussions about what they think is the best solution is- ranging from carbon markets to social change. One idea that I agree with was mentioned by a few panelists; it was the idea that there needs to be a shift towards implementation. Yes, we need international climate policy and a framework for how things need to be achieved- transparency, monitoring and reporting and funding mechanisms are all very important. But it seems to be at a point where action at the national and sub-national level is, in my own opinion, just as vital, or even more so.
Ultimately, the overall feeling of this week has been tiring and a bit disheartening, but all underlain with hope after seeing all of these experts, government officials and observers gather in hopes to create real change in climate action.
