World Oceans Day: What is the blue economy?
World Oceans Day has been hosted annually since 1992 and is an international event spearheaded by the UN. It was first put forward by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the intention of giving ocean and coastal communities a greater say in the development of international environmental agreements and ensuring that such agreements recognised the role of thriving oceans in creating a sustainable future. Fast-forward 30 years and the fact that healthy oceans are needed for social and environmental sustainability has only become clearer, due to improved science. The oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the extra heat generated by man-made activity since 1970 and sequestered about a quarter of human-caused emissions in the same timeframe. Around half of the global population depend on oceans for their livelihoods, according to the OECD. Scientists have also been tracking how ocean health is being jeopardised by a myriad of human-caused issues. A landmark 2019 scientific report on ‘The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate’ concluded that no parts of the world will be spared from the adverse impacts of rapid sea-level rise. The report also set out forecasts for more frequent, wide-reaching and intense marine heatwaves; increased ocean acidification; and an increase in ‘superstorms’ at sea. Add all of this to plastic pollution and species decline and the result is an ocean left less able to support life and sequester carbon, which could soon pass irreversible tipping points.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.