It’s been nearly ten years since the Paris Agreement was established. You’d expect significant climate action by now, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. The latest COP summit revealed little to no progress on critical issues like phasing out fossil fuels or halting deforestation. What’s happening?
The world is heating up, and instead of a rational response, we seem to be reacting more irrationally. This shift could worsen climate impacts, leading to severe consequences for our civilization.
Looking back to 2015, the idea of an international climate agreement where each country sets its own emission targets seemed far-fetched, especially with the aspirational goal of keeping temperature rise below 1.5°C. Critics, myself included, viewed it as more of a greenwashing effort than a feasible solution.
Initially, I thought that over time, nations would recognize the urgency of climate change and ramp up their efforts. However, the opposite has happened. In 2015, the Climate Action Tracker projected a possible temperature rise of 3.6°C by 2100 based on current policies. By 2021, thanks to some movement towards better practices, that number had improved to 2.6°C. But recent reports show this progress has stalled.
The latest Climate Action Tracker findings reveal that global actions have stagnated for four consecutive years. While a few countries are making strides, others are delaying or even rolling back their climate policies. A staggering 95% of countries missed the deadline to update their climate targets, which raises concerns about collective motivation.
Yes, renewable energy sources are growing faster than many expected. However, investments in fossil fuels are still substantial. It’s essential to realize that merely increasing solar energy generation won’t resolve our climate crisis. Progress in tougher sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing, is crucial, but it hasn’t kept pace.
Beyond emissions, there’s a lack of preparation for the challenges ahead. We’re still constructing on flood-prone areas. Recent reports indicate that adaptation efforts are lagging, with some even heading in the wrong direction.
So, why is climate action stalling? Some nations have elected leaders who prioritize other issues or outright deny climate change. Others, even well-intentioned governments, point to pressing challenges like the cost of living crisis, which is also tied to climate instability. Extreme weather events are pushing food prices higher, emphasizing the intertwined nature of these problems.
Could there be a point where governments feel too strained to act on climate issues due to profound economic consequences? Despite polls showing that many citizens want stronger climate action, fears of worsening conditions might lead them to support less action-friendly political figures.
Naively hoping that clearer evidence of climate change will galvanize leaders seems misguided. We live in times where misinformation can overshadow facts—even within institutions like the CDC, which is facing challenges in public health messaging.
After years of unprecedented heat and environmental changes, the reality of climate issues is unmistakable. However, philosopher Martha Nussbaum argues that fear can lead people away from rational thinking, focusing instead on immediate survival rather than long-term solutions. Environmental stress may even drive irrational behaviors and conflicts.
It’s easy to quickly jump from “things are bad” to “we’re doomed.” But we aren’t doomed—at least, not yet. The longer we delay rational action, the darker the future looks. There might be a chance that the current stagnation is a temporary setback due to pandemic aftermaths and geopolitical conflicts. Yet, it’s essential to remain vigilant and proactive before the situation deteriorates further.
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