Patrick Omeja, Makerere University; Abay Yimere, Tufts University; Desta Mebratu, Stellenbosch University, and Jennifer Fitchett, University of the Witwatersrand Can our planet recover from climate change? Commissioning Editor, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, asked scientists to share the reasons they believe there is hope. Jennifer Fitchett, Associate Professor of Physical Geography, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies,Continue reading “Climate change can be beaten – why some scientists are hopeful”
Category Archives: 13. Climate Action
Avoiding climate breakdown depends on protecting Earth’s biodiversity – can the COP15 summit deliver?
Nathan Cooper, University of Waikato Thousands of delegates have gathered in Montreal, Canada, for a once-in-a-decade chance to address the accelerating pace of species loss and the dangers of ecosystem breakdown. COP15 brings together parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) with a goal of negotiating this decade’s biodiversity targets and a newContinue reading “Avoiding climate breakdown depends on protecting Earth’s biodiversity – can the COP15 summit deliver?”
COP27 key outcomes: progress on compensation for developing countries, but more needed on climate justice and equity
Imraan Valodia, University of the Witwatersrand and Julia Taylor, University of the Witwatersrand There were high expectations for COP27, the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. COP conferences broadly provide a platform for the negotiation of international climate change agreements. This was to be the first COP heldContinue reading “COP27 key outcomes: progress on compensation for developing countries, but more needed on climate justice and equity”
COP27: one big breakthrough but ultimately an inadequate response to the climate crisis
Matt McDonald, The University of Queensland For 30 years, developing nations have fought to establish an international fund to pay for the “loss and damage” they suffer as a result of climate change. As the COP27 climate summit in Egypt wrapped up over the weekend, they finally succeeded. While it’s a historic moment, the agreementContinue reading “COP27: one big breakthrough but ultimately an inadequate response to the climate crisis”
Burning waste must end: African leaders look to recycling for better health and value
Desta Mebratu, Stellenbosch University When African environment ministers met in Senegal in mid-September, they made one of the most important decisions in the history of waste management in Africa. The ministers laid the foundation to end the open dumping and burning of waste. Putting this decision into action will have multiple economic, environmental and socialContinue reading “Burning waste must end: African leaders look to recycling for better health and value”
Climate finance for Africa: the key challenges and what needs to be done about them
Ademola Adenle, Technical University of Denmark Climate change is a significant threat to development across Africa. Important sectors, such as agriculture, health and water will feel a considerable adverse impact from 1.5⁰C-2⁰C of global warming, according to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In the agricultural sector, negative climate change impactsContinue reading “Climate finance for Africa: the key challenges and what needs to be done about them”
COP27: how young climate activists are changing international human rights law
Aoife Daly, University College Cork World leaders and climate scientists aren’t the only ones who have gathered in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, for the latest UN climate summit, COP27. Children and young people are also a big part of the conference. For the first time, COP will have a Youth Envoy, Omnia El Omrani, aContinue reading “COP27: how young climate activists are changing international human rights law”
‘What am I supposed to do about all this really bad stuff?’ Young people identify 7 ‘superpowers’ to fight climate change
Phoebe Quinn, The University of Melbourne and Katitza Marinkovic Chavez, The University of Melbourne Many young people feel anxious, powerless, sad and angry about climate change. Although there are some great resources on children’s eco-anxiety and climate distress, the vast majority are designed for and by adults. So, what resources do children and young peopleContinue reading “‘What am I supposed to do about all this really bad stuff?’ Young people identify 7 ‘superpowers’ to fight climate change”
Climate change will cause more African children to die from hot weather
Cathryn Birch, University of Leeds; John Marsham, University of Leeds, and Sarah Chapman, University of Leeds Climate change has already increased global temperatures, greatly increasing extremes. This will continue unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to “net-zero”. The 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement requires emissions reductions of around 50% in the next 10 years.Continue reading “Climate change will cause more African children to die from hot weather”
Earth Day: 5 ways we’re working to repair the damage to our planet and combat climate change
International Mother Earth Day is a chance to reflect on how humanity has been treating our planet, and let’s face it: we’ve been poor custodians. And while a steady stream of IPCC reports has painted a legitimately worrying picture of the current state of the planet, don’t lose hope – here’s why: there are more innovative ideas for serious climate action than ever and around the world, people are working together on solutions to help repair the damage that’s been done to our fragile home.
Youth For SDG 