On September 23rd, the U.N Summit highlighted the silence of the U.S regarding the global warming and put on the foreground 16 year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
Experts called the summit a “general disappointment” as nothing concrete was signed between countries – only a third of the world leaders agreed to reduce their emissions – about 60 countries out of 150.
Not only environmentalists fear that the buzz around Thunberg might hinder the 30 year-long efforts of scientists to put in light the risks of global change and hinder the credibility of climate change advocates.
Concrete steps were made…
On Monday, the U.N Climate Summit gathered the world leaders in New York in order to accelerate the race against climate change.
More than 60 countries confirmed they will revise their contributions and fight against greenhouse gas emissions, faster and in more efficient ways.
At the UN Climate Action Summit, the Emir of Qatar highlighted the facts and proud to say that FIFA 2022 will be the first Carbon Neutral tournament. Qatar used solar power system for stadiums’ cooling and lightning that is water & energy efficient. pic.twitter.com/kNbKzDsjz5
— Copa America (@CopaAmerica2O2O) September 24, 2019
For example, many of them promised to “deploy more clean energy and retire fossil fuel power plants, and wealthier ones pledged international assistance for countries dealing with the most severe consequences of warming,” reported CNN.
Major international films such as insurance company Allianz promised to end their use of fossil fuels and fund research to find new solutions regarding climate change.
… But activists were unhappy
However, activists said the steps were taken too little too late. Out of 150 member countries, only 60 confirmed they improve their policy. As for the United States and China, the two biggest carbon emission producers in the world.
A few days after the summit, about 70 countries confirmed they would make effort... But they only represent 6.8 percent of global emissions. A very small portion, when China produces on its own more than 10 percent.
"You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. How dare you." https://t.co/0SCGMhbTBM
— LADbible (@ladbible) September 25, 2019
Last but not least, Swedish 16 year-old Greta Thunberg’s speech scared off a few activists, as the emotional tone might hinder some of the scientist’s credibility.
Read on Alvexo: “Oil Prices Reach New Record High After Saudi Attack”
More funds for the Green Climate Fund
Last but not least, several countries confirmed that they would help funding new and existing programmes from the UN’s Green Climate Fund that thrives to find new solutions for countries to reduce their carbon emission.
Among them, South Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom but also France, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway confirmed they will all help – totaling an envelope of $7 billion.
Countries double contributions to @theGCF @UN #ClimateActionSummit. #ClimateAction #UNGA https://t.co/4ZaWUCAstm
— Green Climate Fund (@theGCF) September 24, 2019
Wealthy individuals also made announcements such as former Microsoft founder Bill Gates who has reportedly confirmed he will contribute to a global donation of $790 million aiming to help small scale farmers from third-world countries, in order to fight against desertification.
The next global environmental meeting, COP 25, is expected to happen in Santiago de Chile, in Chile, in December. World leaders will have to show they are able to deliver solutions and change their emissions, in order to stop global warming.