The Failures of COP28
Rethink What Climate Leadership Means to You
In the wake of COP28, the much-anticipated global climate summit, we're left pondering a pivotal question: why does top-down leadership consistently fall short in tackling climate change?
Hosting COP28 in the UAE raised eyebrows and challenged the sincerity of the discussions held within an oil superpower. The final text emerging from COP28 was riddled with compromises & loopholes that rendered urgent actions optional. The main point of contention was around whether the final agreement should “phase out” or “phase down” fossil fuels.
The fossil fuel industry strenuously opposed a "phase out" with the secretary general of the oil cartel OPEC sending a letter urging members to reject proposals targeting fossil fuels. Ultimately, the staggering presence of more than 2,400 oil and gas lobbyists at this conference outweighed the scientific consensus of the need for drastic action needed to mitigate emissions.
It points to a global epidemic of valuing opinion and vested interests over truth. Top down leadership on energy policy has lagged since the 1970’s in part by the undeniable influence lobbyists wield to sway decisions, stall progress, and perpetuate a status quo thereby placing a finger on the scale of the political process in a way that's detrimental to our collective future.
What this signals is that we cannot entrust the entirety of this monumental task to global leaders and policymakers alone. If companies like Shell announce plans to boost oil production the day after COP28 is closed, it's a stark reminder that systemic change requires more than lofty declarations.
The repercussions loom ominously over regions like the Monterey Bay. Failure to mitigate climate change will inevitably cast a long shadow over our delicate ecosystem. We have already witnessed the impacts in our community: rising sea levels have led to coastal erosion at West Cliff & Capitola, prolonged droughts have primed our hills for wildfires like CZU, and flooding has displaced families in Pajaro Valley.
For Every Season…
However, amidst these concerning realities, there's a glimmer of hope: the burgeoning demand for climate action.
We're witnessing a shift where climate-consciousness is no longer an afterthought but a central tenet in discourse. The power of the people is undeniable, and it's this collective push that fuels optimism for a sustainable future.
We must each take ownership of this crisis. We need to move beyond the realm of expectations from governments and corporations and embrace our individual roles in mitigating climate change. Let's not wait for others to solve what is undeniably a global challenge.
Our everyday choices collectively form the bedrock of change. Where we work, the brands we buy from, the banks who hold our deposits, and the companies we invest in are ways in which we can apply leverage in a system that responds most effectively to market demand. Our collective actions hold immense power.
In conclusion, the failure of top-down approaches underscores the urgent need for bottom-up action. The time for waiting is over. Each of us holds the capacity to create change; our decisions today will shape the legacy we leave for the Monterey Bay, for future generations, and for the planet.
Written by William Wiseman / CEO & Co-Founder of Climatize
Climatize makes it incredibly simple to invest in renewable energy projects across the US while potentially earning up to 10% annually. For press inquiries on climate action and the role of individuals in combating climate change, please reach out to our press contact: Joshua Moffitt at josh@climatize.earth