“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

—Proverb

With 200 countries convening on climate change in late October, what opportunities are there for real climate action that prioritizes climate justice within and among nations?  International leaders are gathering in Glasgow to attend the UN’s climate summit, COP26.  It’s been said and ignored many times before – but this event really is the world’s last best chance to commit to the emissions reductions needed by 2030 in order to stave off the most catastrophic climate consequences.  We are watching to see what commitments countries make.  What will world leaders promise before and at the conference, and then what will they actually do when they go home? 

What Is the Glasgow Climate Conference?

The upcoming United Nations Glasgow Climate Change Conference, known as COP26 (the 26th Conference of the Parties), will involve 200 nations and take place from October 31st to November 12th.  The summit is the biggest international climate event since the Paris Agreement of 2015 (COP21).  The Paris Agreement was signed by 196 countries, who committed to limit global warming to an increase of below 2 degrees Celsius and preferably 1.5 degree Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

As we know, climate modeling from the recent IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report and other sources shows that without drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, our chances of avoiding apocalyptic consequences are low.  Such consequences include vast ecological devastation, frequent and severe natural disasters, devastating economic effects, and widespread climate displacement and migration of affected people.  COP26 is one of our last timely chances to commit to meaningful international reductions, and is also the first time that countries will update their commitments under the Paris Agreement.  

What Should We Look for?

Countries will be announcing their commitments beforehand and also at COP26.  Per 350.org, recent commitments include China stating that they will stop building overseas coal plants, the US doubling our climate finance pledge for developing nations, and Turkey ratifying the Paris Agreement.  Countries in the No New Coal Compact, including Sri Lanka, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, the UK, and Montenegro, committed to stop issuing new permits for coal-fired power generation projects and cease new construction of coal-fired power plants.

Demands from advocates include:

• More focus on international climate justice, and on richer countries supporting and compensating developing countries. Developed nations are not meeting their Paris Agreement commitment to spend $100 billion/year to developing nations for climate change by 2020.

• A global Green New Deal involving a societal transformation to decarbonize the economy, create good green jobs, and prioritize climate justice among countries, genders, and races.

• Stronger and faster requirements to transition to electric vehicles.

• Faster phase out of fossil fuels.

• More commitments for preservation of forests and other natural carbon sinks.

• Strong commitments related to climate adaptation and protection of vulnerable populations.

What Can We Do?

Although few of us will be attending the Glasgow conference, there are things we can do. If you are interested in thinking about actions to influence this process at different levels, here are some ideas and actions that we’ve developed and gathered from our partners and friends:

1.    Global

• Support strong US commitments in Glasgow: Tell President Biden and Vice-President Harris that you support the strongest commitments by the US to international joint action on climate change through COP26: “Please commit to the strongest possible action for the US as part of COP26.  One in three Americans lived through a climate disaster this past summer, but that is just the beginning of the catastrophes that climate change has in store for us.  Our economy and quality of life will be destroyed if the world cannot take strong action.  I support your action on methane and our climate finance pledge. I demand stronger actions on climate justice and eliminating coal and fossil fuel extraction and power generation, starting by canceling Line 3, protecting frontline communities, and ending offshore oil drilling.”

2.    National

• If you can, join the People versus Fossil Fuels week of action October 11th to 15th in Washington DC.  Led by youth and indigenous leaders, the events will include protests and civil disobedience to fight for climate and protest Biden’s greenlighting of the Line 3 tar sands pipeline.  Line 3 has just gone online and will add 50 coal plants’ worth of carbon pollution to the atmosphere every year.  If you can’t make it, publicize People versus Fossil Fuels actions through social media.

• The Build Back Better Act is a key opportunity to address climate change. Quoting the Environmental Defense Fund, “the U.S. has set a goal of reducing its climate emissions by at least 50% by 2030. It’s an ambitious goal, but one that’s both necessary and achievable to meet. The transformative investments proposed in the House’s budget bill point the way.” This bill cuts emissions more than any other action taken by the federal government, ever. It supports millions of jobs in the clean energy economy. It covers a wide range of environmental justice and equity priorities, including air quality monitoring in highly polluted communities, affordable and sustainable housing, weather-proofing low-income homes, community-owned solar projects, and direct grants for community-led projects. It protects the nation’s drinking water supply, cleans up the air we breathe, and safeguards public health and safety from the impacts of climate change. So, as negotiations continue over the size and scope of #buildbackbetter, reach out and keep the pressure on your members of Congress to pass this bill as close to as-is as possible. Those who are standing strong deserve our thanks. Find contact information for your representative here and senators here.

3.    State

• Write your state representatives demanding a state Just Transition or Green New Deal: “I am writing to share my concern about the current effects of climate change and my request that you take action to move us toward a just transition and a Green New Deal in our state.  This summer we saw record heat, fires burning across the United States, hurricane force winds in the Midwest, and tornadoes in the mid-Atlantic. I’m scared for the future.  While the world’s countries meet to take action in Glasgow, our state needs to step up with our part.  Please be a climate and jobs leader.”  State coalitions have formed or are forming in most states to unite progressive voices from labor, environmental justice, green, and equity groups in a demand for bold state action that reduces carbon, creates good jobs, and addresses racial and economic justice – find and support yours. 

4. Local

Local governments are a key place for climate action.  Actions that you can work towards include: 

• Local climate action plan: Determine whether you have one and when it is due for an update or an implementation report. Demand that your local elected and appointed leaders include strong commitments and implementation around mitigation, adaptation, and equity in your local climate action plan.

• Commitments to reduce and ban fossil fuels: This spring, Petaluma, California, became the first city in the nation to ban new gas stations. Cities across the nation are passing building electrification ordinances that ensure no new gas hook ups in new construction. Building electrification not only assists with climate goals, but also reduces risk of gas exposures and indoor air pollution. Demand that your local decisionmakers embrace these actions!

• Climate justice at home: Demand local climate actions that prioritize climate justice and racial justice. Although that looks different in different communities, it can include support for air pollution reductions in environmental justice communities, budget commitments for tree planting to reduce heat islands in low-income neighborhoods, and plans to prioritize the safety and health of low-income communities and communities of color in plans to respond and adapt to climate change.

• Our local policies and resolutions: Check out our resources page to get the latest local action focused factsheets and model policies from Climate Equity Policy Center.

5. Personal

• Be the change: Although we believe that collective action and policy change are the most important ways to make change, our personal actions on climate matter too.  They reduce emissions and harm, they show that we are willing to make change, and they can also show how climate responses can better our lives, rather than just involving sacrifice.  So, consider making a new personal climate commitment.  Can you reduce your meat consumption, hang your laundry to dry, get solar, create a habit of taking transit, biking, or walking instead of driving for a weekly errand, or explore how an e-bike could change your transportation emissions?  See if you can find a way to make a personal change.