Table of Contents
- 1 Solar energy is also booming in Great Britain. In 2023, almost five percent of the electricity there came from this energy source. Shown here is an aerial photo of a facility in Wiltshire in the west of England.
- 2 International tensions are making the conferences more difficult
- 3 The climate summits are becoming less important
- 4 – Considering the article’s emphasis on technological solutions, are we placing too much faith in technological advancement to solve climate change, potentially neglecting the urgency of immediate behavioral and policy changes?
After the climate summit in Baku, many complained about the pitiful results. The mammoth conferences should be slimmed down. Decisive steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have long been taking place without them.
Solar energy is also booming in Great Britain. In 2023, almost five percent of the electricity there came from this energy source. Shown here is an aerial photo of a facility in Wiltshire in the west of England.
Toby Melville / Reuters
The UN climate summit in Baku ended with disappointment at the weekend: rich countries want to raise $300 billion a year for adaptation to climate change and other measures in poor countries. This sum only corresponds to around three per thousand of the gross domestic product of the G-20 countries.
The developing countries had demanded more than four times as much money. The reactions from them and from large environmental organizations were correspondingly harsh. The summit was only narrowly prevented from failing.
However, such events are no longer crucial for progress in climate protection. The rapid expansion of solar systems and the spread of electric cars, for example, can be promoted much more efficiently through research and economic policy.
The climate conference did not have a good star from the start. At the beginning of November, the UN Biodiversity Conference ended without any tangible results. Then Donald Trump was elected President of the USA, who announced that his country would withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.
International tensions are making the conferences more difficult
In general, geopolitical tensions between autocratically ruled countries and Western democracies are making it increasingly difficult to reach international agreements. It remains to be seen whether the UN conference on preventing plastic waste this week will be more successful.
The signatory states to the Paris Climate Agreement should actually announce new climate goals soon. The idea was that states would commit to stricter targets every five years. But hardly any country has put its cards on the table so far. The summit in Baku did not give this process any real impetus either.
At least the states have agreed on rules for carbon certificates. But you shouldn’t expect miracles from projects that are intended to help offset carbon dioxide emissions. There have been too many errors and cases of fraud in the past. Experts doubt whether the rules will be enough to prevent cheating in the future.
The climate summits are becoming less important
As with previous disappointing world climate conferences, many observers are saying this time: If so little comes out of it, there will no longer be a need for the mammoth events. This is easy to say, but the forces of perseverance are strong.
For example, developing countries have a great interest in high-profile events where they can demand funding to address the consequences of climate change. Agreeing on an alternative negotiation procedure would take years.
However, the expectations of such summits must be lowered – as with similar topics, such as biodiversity or plastic waste. We should move away from exaggerated demands to finally “save the climate,” as it is so often said with absurd pathos. The conference program should be slimmed down: smaller summits that focus on key issues such as promoting climate protection measures and financing adaptation to global warming would be more beneficial.
If everything is not wrong, the decisive progress in global climate protection will not come from politics, but from research, technology and trade. Solar cells and batteries have become significantly cheaper in recent years, electromobility is spreading inexorably, and new types of nuclear reactors are being developed.
Anyone who pushes forward such developments – for example by investing in research and development and by reducing trade barriers – is doing as much for climate protection as can hardly be achieved through the huge annual conferences.
– Considering the article’s emphasis on technological solutions, are we placing too much faith in technological advancement to solve climate change, potentially neglecting the urgency of immediate behavioral and policy changes?
## Open-Ended Discussion Questions from the Article:
This article discusses the dwindling importance of UN climate summits and proposes a shift in focus towards technological solutions and economic policy. Here are some open-ended questions to encourage discussion and explore different viewpoints:
**Section 1: Disappointment at the UN Climate Summit**
* How realistic are the financial demands of developing countries for climate change adaptation? What are the potential consequences of not meeting these demands?
* Do you agree with the article’s assertion that climate summits are becoming less important? Why or why not?
* What alternatives to large-scale international summits might be more effective in tackling climate change?
**Section 2: The Role of Technology and Economic Policy**
* The article emphasizes the importance of technological advancements like solar energy and electric vehicles. What other technological innovations hold promise for combating climate change?
* How can governments best support the development and deployment of these technologies? What role should subsidies, regulations, and international cooperation play?
* Is it enough to rely on technological solutions? Should there be a greater emphasis on behavioral changes and lifestyle adjustments to address climate change?
**Section 3: Balancing Global Interests**
* How can the international community balance the needs of developing countries, who are most vulnerable to climate change, with the concerns of developed countries who may be expected to bear a larger financial burden?
* The article mentions geopolitical tensions as a barrier to progress. How can these tensions be addressed to facilitate more effective climate action?
* What role can civil society organizations and businesses play in promoting climate solutions and holding governments accountable?
**Section 4: The Future of Climate Action**
* What are your hopes and concerns for the future of international climate negotiations?
* What individual and collective actions can we take to contribute to a more sustainable future?
**Open-Ended Prompt:**
* If you were to create a roadmap for tackling climate change, what would be your top priorities and strategies?
These questions are designed to stimulate critical thinking, debate, and ultimately, a deeper understanding of the complex challenges and opportunities associated with addressing climate change.
