COP30 And Climate Justice
By Norbert Fidelis
Recently , the world converged in Belem, Brazil, for the conference of parties , (COP30). This year’s gathering marks the 10th year of the summit.
The COP event is a United Nations climate change conference , that brings countries all around the world together , to discuss about climate change , the devastating effects it has on humans and the environment , as well as discuss climate action, on how to mitigate and reduce gas emissions, and other problems associated with climate change .
We all know that industrial activities from big industries and humans , have depleted the earth’s ozone layer , causing environmental pollution and climate change. This climate change is what results in global warming and excessive heat . At COP30 , nations are expected to update the world on their countries contribution towards climate change mitigation , and also highlight the challenges they are facing
Counties like the host nation , Brazil, are expected to intimate the world, how it hopes to protect the Amazon forest and it’s natural resources , while big emmiters like Japan , Italy , China and the likes , are expected to update on how they hope to reduce emissions and develop alternatives that will be environmental friendly. Also, transitioning away from fossil fuel , will be a major point of discussion .
Be it as it may, the small emmiters , like we have in African countries and other poor nations of the world , are the worst hit in climate change devastating impacts and environmental pollution, despite it’s low level of emission. This is why the world is calling for climate finance , where the rich nations will raise funds , to support the poor nations ,who emit less green gas , to fight climate change and mitigate it’s effects .
However, the problem of aligning with past agreements and commitments , as it concerns climate funding , corruption from the poor nations and lack of corporate social responsibility , are some of the major challenges mitigating against climate justice .
The rich nations are not funding the poor nations well enough , and even the one they give is being embezzled , or diverted for selfish reasons . Also , most people in Africa don’t take responsibility in climate change issues , because of lack of knowledge and apathy in some cases , while some companies don’t even live up to their corporate social responsibility , as it concerns climate change and the environment. It is necessary that climate change issues and environmental sustainability , be included in the school curricular, to enable children know and grow with climate change issues. Also, youths should be engaged more often , by way of sensitization.
On a final note, with big emitters like the USA, backing out of the COP30 summit ,and with corruption and lack of adequate funds crippling climate justice , what hope is there for the African nations and the poor counties at large
