Opinion
3 Reasons to Be Optimistic About COP28
COP28 skepticism is understandable, but we owe it to the planet and future generations to remain hopeful, ambitious, and bold.
Dec 02, 2023
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COP28 skepticism is understandable, but we owe it to the planet and future generations to remain hopeful, ambitious, and bold.
"Voluntary pledges cannot be a substitute for a formal negotiated outcome at COP28 for countries to address the root cause of the climate crisis: fossil fuels."
"These actions undermine the integrity of the COP presidency and the process as a whole," former Marshallese President Hilda Heine wrote in her resignation letter to COP28 chief Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
"The United States refuses to acknowledge historic responsibility for the decades of damage that has been done to communities bearing the brunt of climate change and the fossil fuel industry," said one advocate.
The conference presents a rare opportunity to break down the silos of distance and borders and problem-solve together, as a global community.
"Humanity's fate hangs in the balance," said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres at second day of global climate conference.
We can't let those opposed to a livable future win the battle now being waged over where our energy comes from.
"World leaders are not listening to the younger generation, so what if we turn young climate advocates into older versions of themselves—into their future voices?"
One project in particular, the CP2 export terminal, "would be the most harmful facility built in the United States," one frontline activist said as campaigners delivered petition signatures.
Progressive members of Congress, including Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, urged the president to support a complete phaseout of fossil fuels.