The world’s eyes are squarely on Glasgow right now, as the long-awaited COP26 climate summit finally begins. The Scottish city is buzzing already with more than 30,000 delegates descending on the conference. Despite the breadth of representation here with people from different countries, organisations, and charities there are some notable exceptions. A combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of getting to (and staying in) Glasgow, and other logistical issues mean key voices are at risk of being left out of the conversations.
The world’s eyes are squarely on Glasgow right now, as the long-awaited COP26 climate summit finally begins. The Scottish city is buzzing already with more than 30,000 delegates descending on the conference. Despite the breadth of representation here with people from different countries, organisations, and charities there are some notable exceptions. A combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of getting to (and staying in) Glasgow, and other logistical issues mean key voices are at risk of being left out of the conversations.
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Advocating Accessibility
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Only four Pacific island nations are sending their leaders, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu and Palau. The rest either have limited or no representation, largely due to COVID-19 restrictions. The US, on the other hand, has sent a delegation of around 1,000 people.
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But it is these low-lying Pacific islands that are being seriously threatened by the climate crisis - far more than anywhere in the Global North. From rising temperatures to shifting weather patterns, there is a multitude of risks. Most pressingly, however, are rising sea levels which could leave entire countries submerged.
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The sentiment of unfairness and inaccessibility is echoed by young people who have also been shut out of participation, with many expressing frustration for missing out on knowledge sharing that can only be gained through a physical presence at COP26.
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Despite these setbacks, there is still a push to make the most of the online opportunities to engage with COP26, such as campaigns for online access. But it was only recently made clear that online participation is still limited to those who are officially accredited - for which there is a cap on numbers.
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For those lucky enough to be in Glasgow, there are an equal number of obstacles. Many scientists, activists and communicators are finding that they cannot enter the Blue Zone, where the bulk of the networking and action is taking place, due to accreditation limitations. Media accreditation closed more than 20 days earlier than promised leaving many shut out from proceedings.
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Greener Grassroots
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In the mean national leaders from the 190 countries represented in Glasgow have made only slow progress. They came to a consensus in Paris six years ago that we must keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5º Celsius above the preindustrial average - the point beyond which scientists say the earth will suffer dire consequences from climate change. (The global temperature has already risen about 1º C since the preindustrial age because of greenhouse gas emissions.)
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That consensus and related commitments to reduce emissions are good news, but not nearly enough. After 26 years, the national governments have not delivered on their promises to take urgent action. Lofty commitments haven’t translated to significant action on the ground and less climate pollution.
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As with many of todays significant movements - it’s grassroots organisations and unrest that may be paving the way for real and significant change change. Not more talking between governments, but more talking between people: about what climate change means and about what they are doing about it.
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For citizens to be able to act on mass, greater communication and education is needed in tandem, and to motivate and incentivise the snowball of further action. This requires collaboration amongst multiple disciplines and across silos - the idea that science alone will not solve problems and faces challenges integrating with the humanities to build a new picture is not a new one.
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Some unlikely solutions could like in the arts - which are a universal language blending multiple disciplines, telling emergent stories and possessing the ability to touch hearts. This is what’s needed in order for people to be able to reconnect with important issues on an emotional level, having become disembodied and numbed by the often endless bombardment of negative news.
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The second element to this is community and collaboration - and it’s how individuals define community to their unique essence that matters. We already know that peer to peer engagement builds people’s confidence to take action, and improving access to hubs and events where people can meet and find likeminded others could add fuel to the fire of passion.
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Less Talk, More Action
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On the 11th November x+why will be hosting COP26’s challenge to deliver on actionable outcomes. Members Seismic will be presenting an interactive and impactful evening of debate, discussion, and objective-setting for your business as COP26 draws to a close. The panel includes Chairman Love (activist and co-founder in residence at B Lab UK, Dr Ash Brockwell (associate professor and sustainability lead at The London Interdisciplinary School), Amy Bourbeau (co-founder and chief impact officer of Seismic) and chairman Ed Boyd (cofounder and executive director at ReGenerate).
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This will be a live event at the People’s Mission Hall in Whitechapel - come and join us for an evening of actionable change at a time when it’s more urgent than ever. Leaders and teams around the globe are facing surmounting pressure to commit to actions over words, at a time where the need for rapid change is being slowed by outdated bureaucratic structures, COP26 are stepping in to start walking the walk and not just talking the talk.
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