The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) is happening in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, but there are worries about the effectiveness of climate talks as some countries pull back from commitments.
Limited Attendance from Key Countries
Due to rising tensions and economic challenges, many leaders are focusing on national issues instead of international climate cooperation. Reports indicate that fewer than 60 world leaders plan to attend COP30. Notably, U.S. President Donald Trump isn’t sending high-level officials, just a few representatives from the U.S. Embassy. On the other hand, delegates from 26 U.S. states will be present. China will have Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attending, while Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, won’t be there. In contrast, leaders from several European countries, including the U.K., France, and Germany, are set to participate.
The absence of top officials from major polluting nations might slow progress on crucial topics like climate financing and responsibilities for emissions reductions. Long-standing divides between developed and developing countries make it harder to reach agreements.
Impact of Digital Industries on Resources
As digital technologies advance, they create new challenges for urban governance and sustainability. While innovations such as AI and cloud computing can drive low-carbon initiatives, they also consume vast amounts of energy and water. Experts predict that by 2030, freshwater demand could outstrip supply by 40%, leaving 1.6 billion people without safe drinking water.
Training AI models, for instance, requires significant electricity and water. As tech giants invest billions in infrastructure—like a joint data center in Michigan expected to cost around $50 billion—questions about resource sustainability grow.
Climate Disasters and the Need for Action
Climate change is leading to more frequent and extreme weather events, creating disruptions that even advanced technologies struggle to manage. Outages in digitally reliant urban areas can significantly disrupt daily life. For example, in April 2025, a power outage impacted around 60 million people across Spain and Portugal, causing chaos in urban supply chains and affecting essential services.
Similarly, in June 2025, extreme heat and flooding in China led to widespread power shortages and disruptions in communication and transport, with instances of looting during chaos drawing significant media attention.
The Interconnected Nature of Climate Challenges
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a complex challenge that intertwines with energy, technology, and social stability. Scientists note that critical Earth systems are interlinked. A shift in one area can trigger changes in another, potentially leading to a cascade of issues.
Climate policies are becoming crucial for national security and economic strategies. While the U.S. has scaled back its involvement in international climate negotiations, global efforts toward reducing emissions are gaining momentum. Developing countries are now stepping up, eager to participate in climate discussions and create green supply chains.
To tackle climate change effectively, countries need a cooperative approach where diverse groups can collaborate and develop solutions. Everyone has a role to play in making necessary changes.
Source link
Climate Crisis,Environment,Opinion
