Climate Crisis at UN Summit: What Leaders Need to Know

Climate Crisis at UN Summit

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — International Climate talks in Dubai turned into a power game as world leaders lamented the impact of climate change, but Biden and Xi Jinping were absent.

World leaders, including Saudi Arabia's crown prince and India's prime minister, will address a UN climate conference in Dubai. The goal is to reduce global warming caused by human actions. Over 170 leaders are expected to attend the two-day event.

UN Secretary-General urges leaders to prevent planetary crash and burn by addressing inequality and conflicts, including the return of bombing in Gaza.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges leaders to prevent planetary crash and burn, citing Earth's vital signs failing

Major Problems

• COP28 is a climate conference hosted by an oil-rich country, highlighting the need for action on climate change
• Activists urge policymakers to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls
• Return of bombing in Gaza is mentioned as a potential issue at the conference

GAZA WAR

Climate chaos causes injustice, Guterres warns. Climate action can solve the crisis. King Abdullah says climate change is linked to Gaza's war. Inclusive action is needed for vulnerable Palestinians.

General Antonio Guterres  And King Charles III

Kenya President William Ruto called climate change the defining issue of our era. Leaders repeated goals of triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said eliminating oil, coal, and gas use is the only way to limit warming. King Charles III warned of a starker and darker world unless leaders change course.

Leaders must take action with ambition and imagination to address the climate emergency. The Earth belongs to all, not just humans. Brazil's Lula da Silva criticizes empty speeches and claims the planet is tired of unfulfilled climate agreements.

Probelm of Hunger

Brazil is facing tragic droughts, tempests, and hurricanes in the Amazon region and destruction in the South. Lula calls for climate justice for poorer nations and $2 trillion spent on weapons instead of fighting hunger and climate change. War should be spent on hunger, not wars.

Deforestation

Brazil plans to stop Amazon deforestation by 2030. China and China, the world's biggest carbon polluters, are not attending the COP21 summit despite announcing a bilateral agreement to cut methane emissions. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and China's First Vice Premier will attend instead.

Pollution In India

Indian PM Modi proposes hosting climate talks in 2028. India is the third biggest carbon polluting nation. India will spearhead a green credits program to offset emissions. Details unclear.

India is on track to meet its climate goals. Developing countries should be given their fair share in the global carbon budget. Leaders from countries hit by climate change are speaking.

Flood

Leaders from countries affected by climate change are speaking, including Palau, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Libya, whose economies have been devastated by natural disasters.