Sharm El Sheikh / COP 27

PLATFORM for COP 27 in EGYPT

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference took place 6-18 November. Postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the ➡️ 27th COP seems over due in more ways than one.

Labelled as the Africa COP, many in the global south are hoping for talks to focus on the huge climate debt that rich nations owe to developing ones. On the frontlines of climate change, they are suffering the worst of its affects, whilst contributing very little to the causes.

Responsible for 79% of historical carbon emissions, developed countries have a lot to answer for. In the words of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the recent devastating flooding in Pakistan, “We are suffering from it but it is not our fault at all.”

Shockingly, none of the planets 30 most vulnerable countries to climate change are among the 30 highest receiving countries of adaptation funding.

 

COP 27 was shrouded in controversy before the talks even began. High profile climate activist Greta Thunberg will not attend due to lack of confidence in the effectiveness of the talks, the limited space provided for the voices of civil society, and massive corporate greenwashing by soft drink giant Coca Cola, who rather inappropriately were this year's sponsor.

They justified this move due to Coca Cola’s laughable net zero by 2050 goal. We suppose this makes the 3.3 million tons of plastic waste created each year ok then! The move has angered green groups and activists, and does not bode well for those of us eagerly waiting meaningful long-term climate action.

Of interest, Rishi Sunak, the UK’s current Prime Minister, only made the trip due to public pressure after he announced he wasn’t going to attend. His decision makes his promise to prioritise the environment seem weak, and sets a terrible precedent.

What's at Stake in Sharm El Sheikh?

The latest Emissions Gap report by the UNEP confirms that very limited progress has been made in meeting the targets set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. As we near climate tipping points, the only option now is rapid, large-scale, systematic transformation.

Current rates of change are simply insufficient to reach the 1.5°C target. With many countries still to pass meaningful policies to follow through on the net-zero commitment, it leaves us sceptical that COP 27 will produce anything different.

We simply cannot afford another set of vague promises.

We MUST accelerate global efforts to curb the worst of the effects of climate change. We need tough climate policies and action to avoid global climate goals from slipping away.

 

Why is Egypt a Controversial Host for COP27?

COP 27 has dragged the abysmal human rights record of host country Egypt into the limelight. Harassment of activists, restrictions on NGOs, arbitrary imprisonment, attacks on freedom of expression, internet censorship, and a general crackdown on civil society are plaguing the country.

Activists and protesters are being silenced, shut out, and potentially at risk of arrest. With less inclusive participation, is Egypt aiming to keep critical voices away?

Other criticisms of Egypt as host include their new exploration for oil and gas reserves, tightened security against NGOs, increased surveillance, its frankly terrible environmental record, and discriminatory treatment of the LGBTQI+ community.

The military state is also rife with corruption and impunity. Currently there are over 60,000 political prisoners in the country. They face systematic torture, are denied their basic human rights, and refused trial. Hundreds have been sentenced to the death penalty, and hundreds more seemingly disappeared.

What does Better World Info have to Offer on Climate?

As a platform for a positive change, this central information hub covers the Global Climate Crisis in great depth. Discover the best and most accurate climate information all in one place – skip the fake news and greenwashing and save yourself valuable time.

Find the most up-to-date climate news,  an independent guide to all of the COP Conferences, including of course the upcoming COP 27, and an extensive resource on climate movements and campaigns.

The site provides a comprehensive guide to climate change causes and solutions including divestment, ending fossil fuel subsides, carbon capture, climate policy, and zero carbon initiatives.

Likewise, there is an eye-opening resource on the disastrous consequences of inaction. You will find extensive topics on wildfires, rising sea levels, hurricanes and flooding, drought and hunger, agricultural impacts, financial costs, and many more.

At Better World Info you can find information on all the Players and NGOs, including Greta’s Fridays for Future climate strikes, Extinction Rebellion and the UK’s Just Stop Oil. Here you can follow the global climate movements who are raising awareness for the most pressing climate issues affecting us all.

Climate activists, experts, and concerned global citizens will find our COP27 guide invaluable. There are more than 400 links to trustworthy news sources, the NGOs supporting action, events, and informative videos. Not to mention over 10,000 links covering every aspect of the global climate crisis.

Better World Info is a truly unique and remarkable platform covering COP27 – let’s make this year the year of COP ACTION.

Climate Crisis on Social Media

Better World Info is also very active on Twitter raising climate change awareness, and encouraging climate action. In their unique Twitter lists you will find the latest campaigns, progress in the climate movement, and access to climate scientists and experts in the following categories - Climate change, environment, fossil fuel divestment, renewable energy, and the SDGs.

Visit Better World Info’s full Twitter lists. By following our carefully selected climate experts, journalists, scientists, and NGOs, it becomes very easy to stay up to date with the latest climate change developments.

Bessere Welt Info – The German Platform for COP27

Better World Info is also available in German – Bessere Welt Info. Just like the English version, it also serves as an excellent resource for the COP27 climate negotiations. Here you will find the main category Klima Krise which has over 5,000 links to climate news, IPCC reports, movements, and NGOs, information on all the COP conferences, and climate issues in Germany.

How can I get Involved with Better World Info?

Better World Info is also an interactive platform and users can contribute their own knowledge and expertise. If you have relevant information that you would like to share with others, then you are in the right place. Climate experts, scientists, and activists in particular are encouraged to share informative links and help improve our content. Contact us today.

For those looking to get more involved in the climate movement, Better World Info offers useful tools to support those who want to help change the world. For example, they offer suggestions on how to launch high profile campaigns, and how to become active online with expert social media skills.

You can also find information on how you can reduce your carbon footprint, and tips on living more sustainably.

Outcome of the COP27 Climate Talks

Better World Info will continue to follow the progress and developments of this conference. Keep checking for updates as various policies are set in place.

The outcome so far has received mixed reviews. One big success is the creation of a climate fund to cover loss and damage for developing countries. We eagerly await to see how this finance will be provided, and exactly where it will be coming from.

Devestatingly, commitments to reach the 1.5C goal were not strengthened. Some countries attempted to abandon them entirely, and ultimately no resolution was agreed upon.

With a vague provision to boost low-emissions energy, there are widespread concerns that this excuses countries to expand their gas output, and boost investments in nuclear energy. Sadly, no commitments were made to phase-out fossil fuels.

The large number of lobbyists surely played a factor in the limited progress made. One thing is very clear, adaptation and reparations are the new focus, as opposed to actual climate change prevention.

Although positive steps have been made to take responsibility for climate damage, it seems that our world leaders have given up on the now inevitable. The expression ‘band-aid on a bullet wound’ comes to mind.

Afterthoughts on the Climate Crisis

COP27 is not just a reminder of the threat that climate change poses, but it is our warning that we are very close to irreversible damage. Crossing that point means that we can no longer leave our children with a world worth living for.

24 million people were displaced by weather related disasters this year alone (Climate & Migration Coalition). As the climate becomes more extreme and unpredictable, we will see more loss of lives, homes, employment, food stability, access to drinking water, wildlife, and nature.

The Institute for Economics & Peace predicts that by 2050, there will be 1.2 billion climate refugees.

The greed of multi-national corporations, the super-rich, and corrupt politicians must be overcome.

Better World Info is the COP27 climate platform you shouldn’t be without. It is a wonderful tool for networking, and provides a bounty of excellent free resources. It helps raise awareness, fights misinformation, and climate change denial.

Better World Info, a remarkable tool for global climate action.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 24.11.22 licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

Further reading on COP27 below  ⬇️