Megan Hermes explains what COP26 is and why it's so important this year.
Reset 21 Campaign Launch
The international movement ‘Renew Our World’ has today launched a new campaign called ‘Reset 21’ calling on world leaders to commit to a clean and fair recovery from the pandemic and set the world on track for a safer and more sustainable 21st Century. 2021 presents an opportunity to reset our economies and climate as we recover from the pandemic and as global leaders prepare to meet for the biggest climate summit since 2015, COP26.
The work of Justice is not just for Justice warriors
Last year’s UK justice conference is a vivid memory in my mind. Not least because it was just weeks before the world would go into lockdown, but at that point it was still normal to meet with hundreds of others packed tightly into a room.
Biden's Climate Leaders Summit
What did we get at the US Climate Leaders Summit?
We’ve had a big step forward to give thanks for, and we need to pray for many more. I guess that’s the verdict on the climate summit President Biden hosted on 22-23 April.
Let’s Dance
We’ve got some good news to thank God for. This week the UK announced their new climate target - they’re going to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 78% from 1990-2035. It will be legally binding. It includes the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping for the first time, which is particularly good. It’s all based on the advice from the independent Committee on Climate Change, and it’s brilliant.
Why COP26 is key - Part 2
What makes you hopeful ahead of COP26?
There have been some encouraging signs recently. China has recently announced some quite ambitious carbon reductions commitments, which sets a good precedent for other countries ahead of COP26. The US also has a new government, which should aid climate negotiations because President Biden's administration comes with quite a different perspective to the previous one. The US, like China, is such a huge player in terms of carbon emissions and international negotiations generally. So the fact that President Biden has recommitted to the Paris agreement is really positive. However, a recent UN report found that current national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions) would reduce emissions by less than 1% between 2010 and 2030. We know we need global emissions to be cut by almost half by 2030 - so this is a huge gap! We need these hopeful signs to turn into even greater action.
Why COP26 is key - Part 1
What will be happening at COP26 and why is it so important?
The big thing about COP26 is that this is the first real stocktake of how things are going since the landmark Paris agreement in 2015, where global commitments were made to limit warming to 2℃, or preferably 1.5℃. We at Tearfund and Renew Our World know that 0.5℃ will make a massive difference for the people we support, so we’re calling for commitments to reduce emissions in line with 1.5℃.
Renew Our World Church leaders conference
Great minds working together
Latin America speaks up for the environment
Protecting Environmental Defenders in Latin America
It is well known that Latin America and the Caribbean are areas of our planet incredibly rich in biodiversity. A myriad of landscapes supports the abundance of life in this region, with tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, grasslands, glaciers and deserts. Environmental defenders typically live within or nearby these natural environments and play a key role in their conservation.
Supporting migrants and agricultural workers in Peru
Supporting Venezuelan migrants
Like so much of Latin America, Peru has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.Despite being quick to implement lockdown measures in March, the country has struggled to contain the spread of the virus. Huge inadequacies in the country’s health and social support systems have contributed to Peru recording over one million cases and 38,000 deaths from COVID-19.
Peruvians Take to the Streets
Against the backdrop of a government already overwhelmed with the task of addressing one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the world, on 9 November 2020, Peru’s President Martín Vizcarra was impeached and forced out of office. It is thought that his strong anti-corruption agenda caused him to clash with members of Congress who then utilised the charge of “moral incapacity” on the grounds of alleged corruption to seize his political power and avoid being judged for corruption themselves.
Love is not in Lockdown
It’s been said over and over again: We’re living through uncertain and unprecedented times. This year has been so different from what we might ever have hoped or imagined. For many, it’s come with immense challenge, grief and pain. For others, it’s been a time of rest, reflection and possibility. There’s no doubt this year will shape us indelibly.
