The Road to Climate Hell is Paved with Good Intentions: Why We Need More than Just Talk.

In 2016, the Paris agreement was signed.

As we reflect on the progress made since then it's important to ask ourselves - are our existing policies and actions effective enough? While the agreement was a significant milestone, it's clear that signing it was only the first step in a long journey towards combatting climate change.

What is The Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement is a global agreement between countries to work together to tackle climate change. It was signed in 2015 and aims to limit global warming below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

To achieve this goal, each country sets its own targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and works to achieve them. Countries also cooperate to support each other's efforts through technology transfer, financial assistance, and capacity building.

The Paris Agreement recognizes that climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution, and it provides a framework for countries to work together to address the issue. It is an important step towards a sustainable future and protecting the planet for future generations.

The Conference of Parties (COP) serves as a platform for representatives from around the world to set new goals and take concrete steps towards achieving them. But is this enough? Are we really making progress towards our goals? Or are we simply going through the motions, attending conferences and making pledges that never come to fruition?

Over the years, there have been numerous promises made at the Conference of Parties (COP) that have yet to be fully realized. One such example is the promise made at COP21 in Paris in 2015 to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020 to help developing countries address the impacts of climate change.

While progress has been made towards this goal, the reality is that as of 2021, the $100 billion per year target has not been met. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), climate finance flows to developing countries reached $78.9 billion in 2018, but this is still far short of the $100 billion target.

Furthermore, while it's important for governments and businesses to take action, it's equally important for individuals to do their part. The youth have been particularly vocal in demanding action, but are we really listening to them? Are we taking their demands seriously, and are we doing enough to engage them in the fight against climate change?

And when we consider the lack of engagement with climate change in the curriculum of many schools, particularly in developing countries, we must ask ourselves - are we really doing enough to educate future generations about the importance of this issue? Or are we leaving them to face the consequences of our inaction?

These are important questions that we must ask ourselves as we continue our efforts to combat climate change. It's up to all of us - governments, businesses, and individuals - to take concrete steps towards achieving our goals. So let's not just talk about the problem - let's take action and make a real difference.

Are there consequences of climate change ?

According to the United Nations, the impacts of climate change are expected to cost Africa up to 3% of its GDP by 2030, with an estimated 1.5 million people being forced into poverty every year. In addition, the World Bank reports that climate change could push an additional 100 million people in sub-Saharan Africa into extreme poverty by 2030.

These statistics are alarming, and they underscore the urgent need for action. It's not just about protecting the environment - it's also about protecting the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people across the continent.

One example of people suffering the consequences of climate change despite not directly contributing to it is the story of Magdalene.

Magdalene used to rely on her farm for her livelihood, but as droughts have become more frequent and severe due to climate change, her crops have been destroyed. She now struggles to feed her family and send her children to school. Magdalene is just one of many small-scale farmers in Africa who are being hit hard by climate change.

We cannot afford to ignore the impact of climate change on individuals and communities like Magdalene's.

Until we do more than just talk, there will continue to be cases far worse than that of Magdalene.

We need to take bold and decisive action to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and build a more resilient future for all.

And that's a wrap! Stay tuned for our next topic “The Great Climate Robbery: How Corporate Greed is Destroying Our Planet”

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