We are witnessing climate change creating significant risk to nature, buildings, infrastructure, and human health. Severe weather events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity.
This week, the State of the Climate 2024 Update was published by the World Meteorological Organization and the period from 2015-2024 is described as the warmest 10 years on record. Climate change has resulted in the loss of ice from glaciers, a rise in sea level and acceleration of ocean warming.
The consequences are extreme weather causing havoc on communities and economies across the world.
The State of the Climate 2024 Update was issued to inform decision-making on the first day of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
At this climate conference, from November 11 to 22, world leaders must agree real climate action and succeed where previous summits have failed.
According to Climate Action Tracker, Government climate action has not reduced future global heating predictions for the last three years. If the current policies are allowed to continue, the world is on a path toward 2.7°C of warming.
We know that every fraction of a degree of warming is significant and increases climate risks for us all.
There are calls for trillions to invest not only in reducing emissions but also to increase the capacity to adapt to this climate crisis.
Funds are needed to pay for the losses and the damages that communities are already experiencing around the globe.
Due to our global economy, any severe weather events
bring about shocks to the supply chain and raise costs across the world.
The United Nations have highlighted how destroyed harvests push up global food prices and the destruction of homes increases all insurance premiums.
To date, we have seen significant investments in renewables and electric vehicles but also record fossil fuel subsidies. COP29 needs to bring about the action needed for a transformative shift from fossil fuels and polluting infrastructure to clean, green renewable energy that Scotland has in abundance.
We need a housing investment programme and large-scale improvements in public transport and active travel.
The only way to address climate breakdown and support social justice is to radically reduce inequality.
Recognition of the catastrophic climate impacts of the richest individuals in the world is needed. The yachts, jets and polluting investments of the 50 richest billionaires are accelerating the climate crisis.
As global temperatures are set to rise, we must act now to curb the emissions of the super-rich and make rich polluters pay. Governments should ensure that those who pollute the most also pay the most. In the UK, a crucial first step should be the proper taxation of private jets and superyachts.
We also need to ensure that our public services and infrastructure are supported to adapt to severe weather events and shocks. Cooperation is required at COP29 to avert, minimize and address loss and damage from climate change.
