We live in a world where individuals are often blamed for climate change, and therefore the burden of reversing its effects ends up being placed on us. However, I believe that the climate movement should place less attention on our consumptive flaws and instead encourage awareness of events like the climate summits, which quite literally dictate what our leaders will choose to fight for. Did you know that COP27 is happening right now? And that its outcomes may shape the future of the climate crisis? Whatever your answers were, on this page you will find a bit of history on climate change conferences and their importance.
Introduction to COP
The COP Conferences, or Conference of the Parties, began in 1992 at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There, 197 parties signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, where they agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, almost every country on Earth has been brought together every year to negotiate the steps that will be taken to achieve that goal.
Previous Achievements
Historically, COP conferences have succeeded in bringing nations together to fight a common enemy. In practice, this occurs through the creation of agreements where countries pledge their commitment towards a specific goal. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol aimed to lower the emissions of 6 greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Decades later, in 2016, the infamous Paris Agreement was created to limit global warming to 2°C below pre industrial levels.
A Debatable Success
Now, the actual success of COP conferences may be questionable to some readers, since they have happened for almost 3 decades and yet our emission rates are worse than ever. Although both aforementioned treaties were signed by numerous countries around the world, targets were often not reached and efforts were insufficient. I understand that it may feel like nothing has and will ever change, that these efforts are repetitive and meaningless. However, it is clear that actions pursued at a global scale will have the largest impact, and one of our few success stories related to the climate crisis is a prime example of that. The Montreal Protocol (1987) aimed to reduce the consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances in order to reduce the hole in the ozone layer. Through the restriction of chemicals and the financial support of developing countries, the ozone layer was able to recover. Ratified by every country on Earth, the rate of compliance was 98%!
Your Input Matters
All in all, although a sense of apathy may overwhelm our generation towards these issues that seem way out of reach, our input still matters. As a citizen, you may be able to join the next COP Conferences within the delegation of NGOs or IGOs. Furthermore, you may be able to volunteer for the event, or to exhibit a performance within public zones of the conference. Lastly, you matter as a voter and a citizen of your state. You elect the representatives that will decide whether to allow their industrial complex to keep pumping out tons of CO2 each year, or to restrict their behaviour. Your voice matters and your vote matters, so try to remain aware and well informed.
Educate yourself and your community!
Chloé, Head of Activism
Pangea
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