From Nov. 10 through 21, the 30th annual UN Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties (COP), took place in Brazil. Each year, leaders, activists, and scientists gather to assess global environmental progress and develop strategies that can help limit global warming to 1.5°C. 1.5°C is important because if global warming goes over this number the world would be at risk, extreme heat, greater threats to food supplies, and severe drought. Progress like this conference shows that climate change shouldn’t be a dreary topic, it should be an uplifting one.
The debates can change the trajectory of global climate policy, which makes each summit critical. Over the past decade, the COP have recognized a miscommunication in what nations have done towards the prevention of climate change and what science is proving. Many countries have found ways to reduce global emissions, prevent deforestation, and increase renewable energy.Ahead of the conference, countries were told to submit plans on how they planned to cut carbon emissions, though only one third completed this by the end of October.
Climate change should not always bring down spirits, there are ways to help and things to do. Climate change doesn’t just have to be addressed at the international level, it can also be addressed at the local level. Throwing away less food, eating more vegetables, and changing your home’s energy source are all ways to help the environment, according to the COP website. “Globally, the 10 per cent of the population with the highest income account for nearly half of all emissions,” COP website said.
The Bay Area is already feeling the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels put communities close to shore at risk, all the way from Marine to Alameda. Wildfire seasons have become long and more intense, and on top of all of this, changing weather patterns and droughts are causing a burden on our water supply and local ecosystems. But there is so much more we can do to help. A local organization, Save the Bay, works hard to keep the Bay clean. “One thing our policy team is super proud of is our advocacy to reduce trash flows into the bay. We supported the adoption of a regional permit that requires cities to bring their overall trash flows to the bay to zero,” policy manager Laura Walsh said. Save the Bay is not the only environmental protection organization in the Bay; in fact, many local organizations work to help our climate.
Even though the Bay Area deals with challenges of climate change, it is also one of the most inspiring places for climate innovation. Local scientists, students, and community groups work together to find ways to reduce waste. Many schools and neighborhoods are getting involved, proving that small actions can lead to big change. The Bay Area’s teamwork is a great example of how communities can come together to protect the environment and build a brighter and more substantial future. “Local actions are exactly what lead to big change. If you simply can’t bring yourself to believe that, then get involved simply as an individual pursuit towards fulfillment. Do you feel better doing nothing, or doing something?” Walsh said.
