Hi John,
Today marks the final day of COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland – the UN Climate Change Conference bringing together nations to limit the earth's warming. We've got staff on the ground working tirelessly to make sure that the voices of those on the frontlines and of the people are being listened to during these pivotal negotiations.
While we'll be breaking down the results of the talks over the coming days and weeks – I wanted to quickly sit down with a couple 350's team members, Jo Zane from 350's Pacific team and Cansın Leylim from 350 Turkey, who have been on the ground in Glasgow to hear their thoughts about the conference.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to read our interview with Jo and Cansın, then please consider chipping in $3.50 to support our global movement and amplify the voices of climate activists and communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Q: What were our biggest challenges this year at COP?
From Jo: The biggest challenge this year was accessibility. Between the global inequity of COVID-19 vaccine access, visas, and the high cost of attending the conference from flights to lodging meant that there was a lack of representation of not just who was in the room, but what was being said in the negotiation rooms.
The grassroots movements and delegates from first adapter countries (i.e., those that will be hit first and worse by the climate crisis) made sure that 1.5 degrees was in the Paris Climate Accord. Their voices were needed this time around to advocate for the people – especially given that the fossil fuel lobby had a larger delegation than any country.
Q: What were you surprised by?
From Jo: I was most surprised that developed countries still couldn't reach the $100 billion per year goal in climate finance to poorer nations to help them develop clean energy and adapt to climate impacts (even after we saw rich countries mobilize two to three times that amount during the pandemic for just for one country alone).
Q: What are you hoping to see happen next?
From Cansın: Complete phase out of ALL fossil fuels– not just coal. We want to see binding decisions within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) including ending fossil fuel subsidies and finance. We need to direct funding away from fossil fuels and toward not just mitigation to keep heating to 1.5, but also for adaptation to address the impacts we're seeing right now.
Generally, I'm hoping to see our movement rise up to hold the high emitting nations and corporations accountable to the commitments and promises that have been made at COP.
Q: What's giving you hope?
From Cansın: The leadership of the Pacific Climate Warriors and Indigenous communities across the world. They are advocating for all of us inside and outside the hallways of Glasgow and around the world.
And people power. It's enraging that the polluters are adopting our messages, but we will not let them get away with co-opting our movement.
Q: Any final thoughts?
From Jo: The only way COP26 will be a failure is if we let it be. But if we work together to rise up, demand the action that is needed to keep global warming to below 1.5 degrees, demand finance flows to vulnerable communities for loss and damage, and demand real action to reach zero carbon emissions – then we are doing what we should be doing.
The time for talk is over, the time for action is now and the flame that has sparked within the movement during COP26 needs to burn more than ever. It's really in the people's hands from here.
Keep an eye out on your inbox for more reflections on COP in the coming days, but in the meantime, please consider chipping in $3.50 — or whatever you can — to support 350's climate activists around the world. Our people power is stronger than the fossil fuel industry's greed, and together we can take them down.
Thank you for reading and for being a vital member of the climate movement.
Emily Southard
Associate Director Campaigns & Mobilizations
350.org
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PO Box 843004, Boston, MA 02284-3004
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