Time to Act Now!
Action on the climate crisis is needed now. The recent IPCC Sixth Assessment Synthesis Report states that it is likely that warming will exceed 1.5°C during the 21st century and make it harder to limit warming below 2°C. Every increment of global warming will intensify multiple and concurrent hazards.
We are in the 21st century; it’s happening now. We all collectively need to make conscious changes within the next 10 years to reduce the devastating impacts. The Resilient40 has a critical role in advocating for climate diplomacy to build political consensus and commitment, and ensure that action is taken.
Key messages from the IPCC report:
The IPCC report clearly highlights that climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health. Our activities are responsible for increasing surface temperatures, affecting weather and climate extremes worldwide. This is causing adverse impacts to nature and people worldwide, but disproportionately affects those who have historically contributed least to climate change. Current adaptation and mitigation efforts are falling short of what is urgently needed to reduce warming and global financial flows are insufficient to meet our climate goals.
Urgency
Speed and urgency are needed to make change. With every increase in temperature, the risk and adverse impacts escalate. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced. Mitigation efforts must increase and implementation of adaptation plans must be accelerated. Transition sectors must secure a sustainable future for all. Action this decade will make the difference for people and nature.
Equity
Equitable climate action is critical. Prioritising equity, social inclusion and just transition processes leads to more sustainable outcomes and supports transformative change. Equitable and just actions greatly support those who are most vulnerable to climate shocks. Aligning climate actions to sustainable development offers many benefits and all efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be made redundant if they’re not climate resilient.
Political commitment
For climate action to be effective, the decision makers need to be aligned and committed to clear goals. Governments need to work across levels and domains on institutional frameworks, policies, and strategies.
Climate finance
Current levels of climate financing are inefficient. To meet our climate goals and reduce warming, more funds need to be redirected to climate action. These funds need to reach those most in need.
Our recommendations as The Resilient40
It’s imperative that loss and damage funding does not repeat the mistakes of other climate funds, which are difficult to access at local level. This money is needed now, not in five years. The international community and the Transitional Committee will have their work cut out to define exactly what loss and damage financing should look like.
It is important to build on the momentum of solidarity among the international community, but also to empower local communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. They have the first-hand experience and knowledge of responding to climate impacts. National governments will need to work effectively with local level actors majorly youth, to ensure those who know how best to respond in their area can access funds.
Climate change is not a problem for our future selves. It’s a problem to solve today. It will continue to affect us all more severely if action is not taken in the next ten years. Decisions need to be made with urgency, equity, and political commitments, while ensuring the financial resources are there to implement them.
The Resilient40 will continue to wield its convening power to ensure momentum isn’t lost, bringing together African youth alongside government officials, policy makers, academics, civil society and those on the frontline of climate change to develop actions and solutions to climate threats across the continent.
The time to act is now, and every minute counts.
