26th UN climate conference to begin
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will begin today in Glasgow, continuing until November 12.
The conference will convene leaders and environmental officials from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s 197 member parties to discuss counteracting climate change.
This conference is seen as vital for the future of the Earth’s environment after scientists have repeatedly stated that immediate action must be taken to avoid the worst effects of climate change within the next fifty years. As such, expect most attendants to again pledge commitment to ensuring average temperatures will not rise more than 2ºC above mid-19th century levels.
Despite these ostensible commitments, however, expect agreement on how to achieve this goal to be severely lacking. Experts agree that the only way to prevent a sharp increase in average temperatures globally is to immediately reduce or eliminate dependence on fossil fuels altogether. Despite this, a recent leak of documents shows that many key nations are lobbying the committee to reduce language criticizing fossil fuels. Given these countries’ continued economic dependence on fossil fuels, it is unlikely that any concrete goals or mandates will be set, potentially defeating any efforts to prevent a global climate catastrophe.
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