COP26: A Major Step Towards Changing The Climate Crisis

The world is warming because of emissions from fossil fuels used by humans, like coal, oil and gas.

Extreme weather events linked to climate change such as heatwaves, floods and forest fires - are growing.

The last ten years have been the warmest on record and governments agree urgent collective action is needed so that future generations are not threatened.

Read Hitchin teenager Sam Johnson as shares his opinion on COP26 and what the conference means to people of his generation.[.B]

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For many young people, including myself, climate change is seen as one of the biggest issues facing us.

While most issues pose the question, 'what will our future look like?' Climate change asks a much bigger question for the younger generation, 'will we have a future?'

That is why events such as COP26 are so significant, as the outcomes of these events should make sure that the answer to that second question is, without a doubt, a yes.

The targets set by the COP26 conference seem to be quite ambitious, with $100bn per year being mobilised to help the climate, and more specifically to: protect natural habitats and communities, secure net zero by 2050, and limit global warming to 1.5.

The UK has been particularly ambitious in its promise of leadership in achieving these targets, including a promise of £11.6bn yearly by 2025 to support developing nations and the ending of petrol and diesel car sales.

If the promises made are all carried out, COP26 will have an undeniably positive impact.

What the results of COP26 could mean for Hitchin

On a local level, I hope that the UK's commitment to plant 30,000 hectares of land with trees yearly by 2025 might breathe new life into local woodland areas and that some of the 2m green jobs promised by 2030 will boost the local economy and open more opportunities for the future generations in Hitchin.

I believe the industry for electric cars needs to make major advancements to make them more appealing to consumers who drive long journeys, and remove the disadvantage of having to be charged every few hundred miles.

Most importantly, any progress must be sustainable for years to come. I believe that successfully reaching all the targets set at COP26 will achieve that necessary sustainable improvement.

Hypocrisy of some at COP26

Unfortunately, despite all the ambition, the pure hypocrisy of some of those in attendance turning up in private jets to a meeting regarding climate change is something that I find extremely frustrating and really does make me question their motives.

However, I hope that the considerable coverage of the event, and the protests surrounding it, will lead to the people there being held accountable to the goals they have set, especially with the future generations being extremely passionate about the climate crisis.

Greta Thunberg

As for climate activist Greta Thunberg, who has created quite a stir surrounding the event, while I do share many of her concerns, I would not say that speaks for all young people, and certainly does not speak for me.

As much as I am cautious when it comes to politicians, I do not believe that their climate talk simply amounts to blah, blah, blah because success in helping the environment will win votes in the future when those who are young and passionate about the climate are able to vote.

Furthermore, I disagree with her stance on the Insulate Britain protests because annoying people is not an effective way to gain support for any cause, and leaving cars in traffic jams, with their engines on, and fuel being used, will only increase pollution.

Also, as hard as this may be to say given the urgency of the situation, if change is to be achieved, and to be sustained for years to come, it will take time.

While I may seem overly optimistic about COP26, it is arguably one of the biggest steps taken towards solving the climate crisis, and saving our planet and future, and it is for that reason why I feel I have to focus on the positives, and hold onto hope that the long term impact of this event will improve the situation.