GOT IT, SO WHAT’S THE PLAN?
As was made loud and clear in the IPCC report earlier this year, it’s not too late for the planet, but we need to act quickly to save it. The UNFCCC have defined four goals to help turn the down dial during this ecological tipping point.
1. SECURE GLOBAL NET ZERO BY MID-CENTURY, AND KEEP 1.5 DEGREES WITHIN REACH
This goal is focused on cutting our carbon by phasing out coal and curtailing deforestation, as well to accelerate into a future of electrical vehicles and renewables.
2. ADAPT TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND NATURAL HABITATS
Much of the climate is already changing and in many countries the impact of the climate crisis is already being felt. COP26 requires everyone to work together to support and protect the affected countries by restoring lost ecosystems, as well as proactively building resilient infrastructure to combat climatic impacts.
3. MOBILISE FINANCE
Many countries will feel the effects of climate change regardless of whether we meet our net zero targets. And the reality is that areas which are forecast to be most affected by climate change are often the least financially equipped to mitigate or recover from the damage. International financial institutions must play their part in mobilising the finance as a global effort to support everyone feeling effects.
4. WORK TOGETHER TO DELIVER
This goal emphasises the need for true global cooperation and collaboration to make any of the above goals possible.
SO, HOW CAN I DO MY BIT?
We know what the government needs to do to get those goals off the ground. But as outlined by COP26’s #onestepgreener campaign, we all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and our planet.
And while it’s easy to feel our actions are insignificant when faced with something as huge as the climate crisis, let’s remember that collectively we can make a huge difference! We’ve covered 9 practical steps you can take for your planet in this article to help us all do gooder.
