The world is continuing to explore solutions to the environmental crisis that is global warming. This year up to 200 countries have come together to hold a climate change summit, the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29), with efforts of fixing global issues.
The annual conference was based in Baku, Azerbaijan, and was led by Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources. The summit ran from Nov. 11 to Nov. 22, giving international leaders a total of 12 days to discuss their growing lists of problems and possible solutions to major environmental issues. The focus of their funding goals was poverty-stricken, developing countries that have been hit hard from the effects of climate change.
These developing countries face a variety of climate effects such as an increase in the severity of storms in tropical areas and an increase of droughts in drier areas. Approaching this year with optimism, countries attending wanted to fund $1 trillion to bring about some change; in the end, a plan was devised to fund $300 billion to countries with more direct need.
While the summit was not able to reach their fundraising goal, leaders were still able to generate a significant amount of money for the developing countries. Unfortunately, this budget left many outraged and believing they deserved more after years of wealthier countries making profit off the poorer ones.
“Wealthy nations that have long relied on polluting energy sources have the money to move away from them,” E&E News writers said in an article. “Poorer ones don’t.”
One prominent complaint from this year’s conference is towards Babayev, as some believe he struggled in directing negotiations. The discussions seemed to be going at a slow pace, leaving many to wonder how much more work the summit could have accomplished.
“Climate change is a cumulative problem,” Professor Joeri Rogeli said at Imperial College London. “That means that with every year of delay, there is additional warming that we commit our planet to. Now is the time that we need to take action.”
Climate change continues to pose a threat to our environment. While big conferences like COP29 try to support the environment through raising money, everyday people can pitch in by recycling, cleaning up local parks, or trying to lower their carbon footprints.
Next year’s conference will be held in Belém, Brazil, and will be held from Nov. 10 to Nov. 21. The conference will discuss similar topics like funding for developing countries but also expand on how to lower greenhouse gas emissions, build plans of adapting to climate change, and how to preserve forests.
