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COP28 - The Climate Conference of 2023
COP28 - The Climate Conference of 2023
Sophie Turner, Y12
In 2023, the United Nations held their 28th climate conference, better known as COP28. With 198 parties being represented, it was held in Dubai, and lasted from the 30th of November until December 13th.
Background
Back in the 1990s, countries began to realize that the issue of climate change and sustainability was going to require a united, global effort to help get it under control. So the member nations of the UN met at the Rio Conference, sometimes called the Earth Summit, in June of 1992. Some of the key issues covered included: the need to protect our oceans, the limited amount of clean water sources, and alternative sources of energy. After this first conference, a COP conference as they are known as, has been held every year since 1995, apart from in 2020 when it was canceled due to the pandemic.
Controversies
Many people around the world were critical of the conference being held in the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of greenwashing and “suppressing protests”. The UAE is a country known for having a very high energy demand, as well as having issues with water scarcity. There was also a debate over the president of the conference, the UAE’S Sultan al-Jaber, claiming there's “no science” behind the calls to phase out fossil fuels, with some claiming that he’s only saying this because the UAE has the 7th largest natural reserves of oil in the world so they want to continue selling this valuable resource. The protesters who appeared at the summit were confined to an area under UN control, because demonstrations generally aren’t acceptable in the UAE.
Outcomes & Future Plans
A total of 10 pledges were made at the conference, with a combined 85 billion dollars being pledged to different climate issues. Some of the notable pledges include:
Energy efficient pledge: 130 countries signed the pledge to triple the capacity of renewable energy by 2030
Declaration on food and energy: 159 countries, including the United States, agreed to commit to making the global food system more environmentally friendly
Joint statement on climate, nature and people: endorsed by 19 countries, including China, the USA, and the UK, the statement agrees that climate change and other environmental problems cannot be solved independently
COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan, in November of 2024.
2023 in Three Pictures
2023 in Three Pictures
Vana Lui, Y11
1. The Tital Submersible Accident
This summer, an event that took place 3,500 metres beneath the ocean's surface had us fixated on social media. Five individuals passed away when a demonstration submarine dived to inspect the Titanic wreckage. It's fair to state that this was one of the worst technological mistakes made in 2023.
2. Iran Women's Rights Movement
Since September, Iran has experienced an upsurge in protests due to the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman who was taken into custody shortly after disobeying the strict dress code of the nation and imprisoned by the Islamic Republic's morality police. With the motto "Woman, Life, Freedom!" men and women from various ethnic communities assembled together to fight for women's rights.
3. Israel's War on Gaza
The cross-border Hamas attack on Israeli urban areas on October 7 kicked off the conflict, with Israel claiming 1,200 deaths and the return of some 240 held captives to Gaza. The majority of the region has been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes since then.
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