Byron Blake | Planet at the brink

June 2023 was recorded as the hottest June on record with July as the hottest month in recorded climate history. July 3 marked the hottest day ever recorded. Record-breaking triple-digit temperatures and wildfires in parts of the United States south-west, while the north-east experienced record rainfall and smoky skies due to Canadian wildfires. Southern Europe, Japan, China, and South Korea are facing record high temperatures.

We have experienced an unprecedented number of continuous hot days from June to July 2023. Jamaica experienced its highest electricity demand in history due to extreme heat. This has been the pattern for the last five years, with each summer being the hottest on record in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The last five winters have also been extremely severe.

UNMET PROMISES AND MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

Thirty-one years ago, it was acknowledged by science and policymakers that human activities were severely affecting the planet. In 1992, 172 nations, along with the Holy See, gathered in Rio, Brazil, for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The conference resulted in the Rio Plan of Action, aiming to mediate climate change and its consequences.

The Rio Summit built on previous environmental conferences and established key principles and actions, including:

• Shared but differentiated responsibility and the polluter pays principle.

• Limiting greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 1999, with developed countries taking the lead.

• Addressing production and consumption patterns, and waste.

• Reducing poverty and managing natural resources sustainably.

• Stop deforestation.

• Providing financial resources and technology access to developing countries for adaptation and mitigation.

The summit led to global follow-up conferences, but progress faltered due to reluctance from industrialised countries to make the significant lifestyle changes and financial contributions needed. Over the years, reviews of the Rio decisions showed increasing emissions from developed countries and diminishing Official Development Assistance (ODA).

CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION

In 2007, the IPCC’s report revealed catastrophic global temperature changes, yet commitments remained vague, and ambitious goals were not pursued. The Copenhagen Accord released the firm 1.5 Degrees Celsius and set an aspirational goal of limiting temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius, failing to address the level and the urgency.

Fast-forward to 2023, and the consequences of inaction are everywhere. Extreme weather events have become the norm rather than the exception. The planet is experiencing relentless heatwaves, devastating wildfires, severe storms, and rising sea temperatures and levels, causing widespread human and animal suffering and possibly irreversible ecological damage.

The increase in global temperatures has far-reaching implications, affecting economies, agriculture, tourism, health, and ecosystems. Small island nations, like those in the Caribbean, face an existential threat, grappling with the loss of coastal areas, freshwater resources, coral and marine life, and biodiversity.

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED

In the face of these alarming developments, the international community’s response has been grossly insufficient. Developed countries have not fulfilled their commitments to reduce their emissions and provide financial and technological support to developing nations. The promise of mobilising $100 billion annually by 2020 to address developing- country needs remains unfulfilled, and access to appropriate technology continues to be expensive.

The consequences of this lack of action have disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, exacerbating poverty and inequality. Despite overwhelming evidence of the need for urgent and ambitious climate action, vested interests and short-sighted policies continue to hinder progress.

As a former CARICOM and G77 and China Lead Negotiator, I lament the failure of industrialised nations to internalise the lessons of the Rio Summit and act with the required urgency. I highlight the cynical effort of certain countries to strategically downplay their responsibilities and commitments over the years, leading to the systematic watering down of international agreements.

In hindsight, the international community’s response to climate change has been marred by political manoeuvring and corporate influence. The lack of meaningful action by major polluters reflects a disregard for the well-being of present and future generations and the natural world.

POWER OF UNITY

The situation now demands a drastic shift in behaviour, global policies, and practices. It is already too late for many of our brothers and sisters, animals, plants, and systems. We must heed the warnings from nature and scientists and act with determination, integrity, and unity to mitigate the impacts that are on track to be much worse. We must hold ourselves accountable for the consequences of our actions and inaction and prioritise the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants over our short-term gains.

While the challenges are immense, the potential for positive change is within our capacity. We have the knowledge, technology, and resources to still transition to a sustainable and equitable future. Clean and renewable energy sources, regenerative agriculture, and circular economies offer viable solutions.

International cooperation is crucial in this endeavour. The world must come together, setting aside geopolitical tensions and economic interests, to address the existential threat of climate change. Developed nations must honour their commitments to support developing countries in their efforts to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Public pressure and activism play a crucial role in driving change. Citizens must demand accountability from their governments, corporations, and neighbours, pushing for bold climate policies, sustainable practices, and appropriate local actions. Grass-roots movements and civil society organisations can exert significant influence at all levels as history has shown.

CALL TO ARMS

The urgency of the climate crisis demands immediate and bold action. Governments, businesses, communities, and individuals must all play their part in transitioning to a sustainable and resilient future. It is time to rise above self-interest and work collectively to safeguard the planet for current and future generations.

In conclusion, the 2023 headlines of extreme weather events are a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. The world has witnessed the hottest summers, severest winters, and devastating natural disasters. Thirty-one years after the Rio Plan of Action, the time for complacency and for voluntary national action is over. We need binding commitments and must act decisively and collectively if we are to avert the climate crisis and protect the planet for generations to come.

- Ambassador Byron Blake is the Jamaica’s former deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, CARICOM and G77 and China Lead Negotiator. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com