COP26 Newsletter - October 4
We are back with our next newsletter with lots of new COP26 updates and ways to get involved!
* Cue drumroll please *
Our first bit of exciting news this month is our Youth Hub that will be available for all of COP26 at the Renfield Centre in the heart of Glasgow! In collaboration with FYEG (Federation of Young European Greens) and GYG (Global Young Greens) we are working hard to organise some amazing COP26 events that all are welcome to come along to. Keep an eye out on our social media over the next couple of weeks for our event schedule, BUT in the meantime, if you or a youth organisation you know would be interested in hosting an event during COP26 with us, send them the link below!
COP26 News
There has been lots going on in the build up to COP26 over the last couple of weeks, but here are a couple of our highlights!
Biden Coughs up on Climate Funding
In a sign that America wants to position itself at the forefront of climate geopolitics, President Biden has pledged to double his country's climate financing to $11.4bn annually, bringing the world closer to a target of $100bn a year in finance to be provided to vulnerable nations in the Global South that was set a decade ago. The funding announcement was cautiously welcomed by some, and heavily derided by others as being too little, too late at a time when big polluters like America need to be massively ramping up their commitments.
Xi Jinping ends China's Foreign Coal Projectss
In another significant move, China’s leader Xi Jinping has proclaimed that China will no longer finance the construction of new coal plants abroad. This marks a fatal blow for the coal industry as other major coal-investors like South Korea and Japan made similar commitments earlier this year, which paired with the poor economics of such a dirty fuel source may finally bring about the coal-free future that we will need to stay within 2 degrees. However, huge questions hang over China’s domestic power production, which was not included in the announcement and remains a fuel that China is heavily dependent on to power its growth. Without a commitment on its domestic power, activists are gravely concerned that Jinping’s promise is of minimum benefit to the world.
Boris calls for Action at the UN
At the UN General Assembly last month Boris Johnson pleaded with world leaders to step up their efforts against climate change. It has become increasingly clear that the UK government has not taken seriously its diplomatic role as host of COP. With his government slashing foreign aid, approving new coal mines and lacking any kind of legitimacy with its own climate plans, it’s likely that his strong words will fall on ears deafened by his own inaction.
If that isn't enough to motivate you...
Here are some incredible organisations fighting for true climate justice to support!
Young Friends of the Earth Scotland (YFoES) are a grassroots network specifically for 16-30 year-olds which offer spaces for young people to come together as well as training for young campaigners. Speaking of which, there are a host of resources available through their People Power Network. There’s information about organising, campaigning, lobbying and more. Not only that, they have a bunch of webinars accessible from their website on just and green COVID recoveries and Scotland’s response in various areas to the climate emergency.
There’s plenty to explore and it’s all right here on their website - just click the link below!
Finding out more!
Interested in climate justice and want to know more? Here are three fantastic YouTube channels to get you started.
Our Changing Climate is a great place to start for summaries and more detailed explorations of the main topics which climate justice covers. Whether you want to know more about degrowth; how corporations use personal carbon footprints to shirk responsibility; or even strange, new ideas like solarpunk - this channel has something for you.
Here’s a video on Eco-Socialism because we’re all watermelons here:
Aime Maggie’s video look specifically at the various intersections between climate activism and the wider social justice movement - perfect for finding out more about climate justice. She also has videos with tips on eating, shopping, and working sustainably.
Here’s a video on how companies greenwash and how you can resist their tactics because corporate propaganda can get in the bin:
Health for a Green New Deal
Who are they?
Health 4 GND are a group of health workers, strudents, researchers and activists mobilising for a more equal society with a green new deal that centres justice for all.
What would the Green New Deal mean?
Creation of millions of secure green jobs - including in healthcare.
Our towns/cities would become healthier places to live.
Supports communities around the world to decarbonise in a way that is fair.
How can you get involved?
There’s a range of ways for you to get involved whether you are a health worker or not. Check out your local medact or health for a green new deal group, volunteer for the COP people’s summit, lobby your local MP from a public health lens or even set up a climate clinic in your local area.
Check out the link to find out more: