COP26
The world's biggest negotiation
A series of articles by scientists and researchers centred around the Glasgow climate conference
Climate change is the greatest challenge faced by species that inhabit our planet. The 26th United Nations Climate Change conference brought together world leaders, scientific experts and political decision-makers with the goal of aligning international interests towards achieving the terms of the Paris Agreement – in particular, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Start here for comprehensive, evidence-based coverage of the summit and its ramifications from researchers and academics from around the world. Amid a rising tide of climate news and stories, The Conversation is here to clear the air and make sure you get information you can trust.
Five things you need to know about the Glasgow Climate Pact
Simon Lewis, UCL and Mark Maslin, UCL
Academic experts react to the UN climate summit and Glasgow Pact
Christina E. Hoicka, University of Victoria; Daniel Sperling, University of California, Davis; Ian Lowe, Griffith University; Kate Dooley, The University of Melbourne; Kyla Tienhaara, Queen's University, Ontario; Mark Maslin, UCL; Piers Forster, University of Leeds; Ran Boydell, Heriot-Watt University, and Simon Lewis, UCL
The ultimate guide to why the COP26 summit ended in failure and disappointment (despite a few bright spots)
Robert Hales, Griffith University and Brendan Mackey, Griffith University
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Emissions
Caused by burning fossil fuels, decimating forests, generating electricity and travelling across the planet, greenhouse gas emissions – and how to curb them globally – are a central focus of COP26 discussions because of their ability to significantly alter the Earth's climate. Read more about greenhouse gas emissions.
COP26 leaves too many loopholes for the fossil fuel industry. Here are 5 of them
Matthew Paterson, University of Manchester
The new Global Methane Pledge can buy time while the world drastically reduces fossil fuel use
Jeff Nesbit, Yale University
What Big Oil knew about climate change, in its own words
Benjamin Franta, Stanford University
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Experts take you inside the fight for our future planet
Explore some of the big issues feeding into the COP26 negotiations:
- net zero – and the technology needed to get there
- trade-offs – required to transition away from fossil fuels, particularly for those communities hit hardest by the shift to renewables
- money – and how much the world's richest countries should give to protect the poorest parts of the world
- young people – impact their voices are having on the climate fight
Renewables
Energy derived from renewable sources – like the sun, wind, tides and rivers – is key to reducing worldwide carbon emissions and protecting the health of our planet. But while clean power is hailed as the answer to energy crises, governments will need to honour their commitments if we are to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Read more about renewables.
Seven reasons global transport is so hard to decarbonise
Christian Brand, University of Oxford
Cities create over 70% of energy-related emissions. Here’s what must change
Anna Hurlimann, The University of Melbourne; Georgia Warren-Myers, The University of Melbourne, and Judy Bush, The University of Melbourne
To dos
The more we see our environment as a part of us, the more we're driven to protect it. Transforming the small spaces around us into havens where the natural world can flourish can positively impact local ecosystems in ways that ripple out further than we can imagine: keep reading for our experts' suggestions.
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Our forests
In a world that's lost one third of its forests, it's more vital now than ever to protect what remains. Forests not only act as giant carbon sinks offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, they're also home to countless endangered and undiscovered species. They also purify air and water and fortify soil against erosion. Read more about our forests.
Forests can’t handle all the net-zero emissions plans – companies and countries expect nature to offset too much carbon
Doreen Stabinsky, College of the Atlantic; Kate Dooley, The University of Melbourne
Why tackling deforestation is so important for slowing climate change
Tom Pugh, Lund University
Our oceans
Water, water everywhere – and much of it filled with plastic. Our mistreatment of Earth's oceans has slashed biodiversity, damaged irreplaceable coral reefs and polluted our source of water. To build a better relationship with these sustaining seas, we must protect what remains for the sake of all life across our planet. Read more from our Oceans series.
The world’s ocean is bearing the brunt of a changing climate
A Conversation series
We analysed data from 29,798 clean-ups around the world to uncover some of the worst litter hotspots
Lauren Roman, CSIRO; Britta Denise Hardesty, CSIRO; Chris Wilcox, CSIRO
How marine protected areas help safeguard the ocean
Julie Reimer, Memorial University of Newfoundland
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