COP26: A FRACTIOUS WORLD IN A FRACTURED PLANET

Climate Change is no longer the abstract term that it once was. At that time, devastating droughts or ravaging floods and all-consuming fires were distant events in some corners of the earth, with little or no consequence to most people in the affluent parts of the world. Climate change is all around us now, with each passing year bringing evermore freakish and destructive weather and making a total collapse of the environment almost inevitable. Just in the last decade, we have seen increasingly devastating weather and various natural catastrophes, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, regularly occurring in all parts of the globe. No wonder the West, in particular, sees Climate Change not as a phenomenon anymore but increasingly as the greatest threat to the human race on earth. The United Kingdom will be hosting the world at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26 (31 October – 12 November) in Glasgow this year, when the eyes of the world will focus on a momentous event that could have a lasting impact on the future of our beloved planet! This conference could be the final opportunity for humankind to fight climate change and save the world for future generations to exist in a meaningful way. It may well be the last chance to keep the vital parts of the environment intact. In which case, governments and people across the globe will have to work in concert to mitigate the worst effects of the current climate change. And, at the same time, forestall future change with a drastic reduction of greenhouse gasses in the shortest possible time. It is no longer the case that climate change sceptics are a severe impediment to bringing effective measures to stave off climate change. However, there are still enough climate change sceptics holding high office and occupying key posts and positions of power to undermine collective, coordinated action across the globe. Nevertheless, environmental activists have won the climate change argument, and the vast majority of the public is entirely behind them and their concern for the alarming degradation of the environment and the looming ecological disaster facing all living beings on this planet. Aware of the scientific communities’ conviction in climate change and the impending environmental catastrophe, and the growing public concern for their future, governments across the globe are following the scientists and the general trends and are willing to participate in a meaningful discussion and engage in concrete actions. COP26 in Glasgow is that vital opportunity for the governments to participate in that discussion and bring substantial and feasible measures to reach the agreed emissions targets and other objectives. However, even before the start of the conference, some people, climate experts among them, are already expressing doubts about the success of the much-awaited conference in Glasgow this year. It seems clear that some of the leading experts and environmental activists have little faith in our political leaders. They doubt the current political leaders’ ability to cooperate and coordinate to make this conference a genuine success. Above all, untimely divisions, misunderstandings and conflicts between the big powers have already surfaced. And they seem to herald a failed opportunity in Glasgow. The ongoing trade war between the US and China and the ominous military posturing in the South China Sea and the Pacific between the Western allies, on one side, and China and Russia, on the other, have led to President Vladimir Putin and Chairman Xi Jiping to absent themselves from the conference. The apparent fact is that most political leaders have neither the will nor a compelling vision to bring the world together to fight a concerted battle against the biggest threat to humanity in modern times. Narrow national interests and political and economic considerations far outweigh even the most pressing environmental concerns. Australia is the biggest exporter of coal. India and China are still considerably dependent on coal. Hence, these three countries will oppose total curbs on the production and use of coal by the end of this decade. Undoubtedly, some economic considerations pose serious issues, such as the livelihoods of communities living in abject poverty or giving up traditional occupations and sources of vital income. Resolving such issues is where genuine, strong leadership and global and cross-border cooperation and solidarity should come into play! The UK, as the host, has made a great play of the event. It wishes to see it as a momentous occasion for all humankind and the global environment. The UK is undoubtedly keen to show its leadership in a conflict-ridden, divided and unequal world. However, it has no vision to captivate the “haves” and the “have nots”. It has no imagination that genuinely encompasses the conflicting interests of the Western Alliance and the growing Eastern Alliance of China and Russia. It has spent the best part of this year antagonizing both Russia and China. And it has made little or no effort to appease the two countries to ensure their wholesome commitment to a successful conference. Indeed, without the direct participation of some of the key national leaders, it seems only likely that the event will end up being yet another talking shop with grandiose promises and meaningless pronouncements.