Purpose’s Post

Summer Reading List: 📚 For those who know me, I don't read novels, I read to learn. First up: "False Alarm" by Bjorn Lomborg, former director of the Danish government's Environmental Assessment Institute in Copenhagen. This book debunks misinformation about the climate crisis and the push for carbon neutrality. Lomborg, uses UN reports to show that Earth has been experiencing climate change for billions of years, not just the last century. Remember, our Sun plays a significant role in our climate, too. Being mindful of our environment is crucial, but extremism is not the answer. It's a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional views. Be prepared, it might stir some strong emotions about carbon tax. 🌍 #summerreading #climatechange #falsealarm #BjornLomborg #carbonneutral #Energynow #Trudeau Link to the book: lomborg.com/false-alarm

My first post on LinkedIn in 2024 is on my last op-ed for the previous year, on lessons from the incident at COP28 regarding some CSOs (including the Philippines's largest network, Aksyon Klima Pilipinas) being initially excluded from the Philippine Pavilion until we made our voices not just heard, but listened to. From what we experienced, I can say that some in the government (and I will remember them) have a long way to go before they truly understand what CSOs really do in the climate field. We do not lack knowledge of climate science, go missing at the ground level, or just be activists that cause chaos. As the Philippines's leading CSO network for climate action, we from Aksyon Klima will do what we can to make sure that what happened last year will not happen again. We are always open to working with the government, but if the higher-ups in the government are truly serious about the "whole-of-society" approach, then prove it. The work continues. #ClimateActionPH "One dialogue with someone from civil society does not count as genuine inclusive decision-making. Selecting one person who happens to be part of a sector does not mean the sector itself is truly representative. Only choosing to work with a few groups does not constitute a “whole-of-society” approach."

The world today faces unprecedented threats of climate change and environmental degradation. The future of our species is at stake, in addition to all the chaos caused by war conflicts. The poorest and most marginalized are often the most affected by these changes, while political systems around the world often fail to take decisive steps to address these challenges. However, there is a compelling argument to suggest that democracy can be a key force to save our environment and planet.

We're at #COP28UAE to support our members, push for global climate action, and host the #Under2Coalition General Assembly on Sunday, 3 December. Check out a snapshot of our speaking moments and panel conversations for the next week: ⭕ Friday, 1 December • Decoding G20’s Green Development Pact (Blue Zone) • Local Climate Action Summit: day one   ⭕ Saturday, 2 December • Climate Action at the Frontline: Sharing Kenya’s experiences at the Subnational Level (Blue Zone) • Local Climate Action Summit: day two • SCALE event: Advancing ambitious multilevel climate action (Blue Zone)   ⭕ Sunday, 3 December • Under 2 Coalition General Assembly   ⭕ Monday, 4 December • Climate Change agendas at a national level: to strengthen effectiveness with multilevel governance (Blue Zone) • Goldwin Climate Action White Paper (Green Zone) • Governing the Net Zero Transition (Green Zone) • Jiangsu's green and low carbon development practice (Blue Zone) • Taiwan Climate Partnership: High Tech and Net Zero Initiative (Blue Zone)   ⭕ Tuesday, 5 December • Accelerating the ZEV Revolution (Blue Zone) • Action for Climate Empowerment ACE (Green Zone) • Oliver Wyman: Climate Action at Scale (Green Zone) • Subnational roundtable (Green Zone)   ⭕ Wednesday, 6 December • Global Cooperation Facilitating Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Resilient Development (Blue Zone) • Launch of ‘Indian States’ Collaborative for Leadership in Policy Development and Deployment of Electric Vehicles (Blue Zone) • Subnational leadership in leading a Fossil Fuel Phaseout to accelerate a Just Energy Transition (Blue Zone) • Subnational government leadership in driving National Adaptation Plans (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) implementation (Blue Zone)

🌍 Smart climate #EUpolicies matter! 🌍 🎉 Our #ClimateSolutionsHub partner Future Matters has just launched their groundbreaking study “8 EU Policy Priorities for Global Decarbonization Pathways to European Climate Leadership” with the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP). Congratulations on this excellent work!   📌 The study applies a novel, systematic methodology for policy prioritization and presents 6 global policy priorities with vast #impactpotential. 💡 Key takeaway: Pursuing comparatively neglected policies with high greenhouse gas mitigation potential and political feasibility promises the largest additional positive impact. Dive straight in ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ejj5r8xa 🧩 What else can you do? ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e94VEBcK By #donating, you can support Future Matters to put the most effective policies on the EU's international #climateagenda, ensuring that the #EU lives up to its potential and its #climateresponsibilities.  

The West’s Net Zero policies are the ultimate act of zealous faith? The climate change debate is frequently couched in quasi-religious terms. There are the ‘believers’ on one side, and the ‘sceptics’ and ‘deniers’ on the other. Religious concepts like original sin (our carbon footprint), penance (carbon credits), fasting (a meat-free diet), and an apocalyptic vision of the future (complete with a Noah-like global flood caused by melting polar caps) are all features of modern climate change activism. And there is little wonder why. https://lnkd.in/d8S5BCeC

Here are some innovative solutions proposed by the new climate leaders mentioned in the article: Clean Power Investments: Mexico’s president-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, has pledged to invest billions in clean power and advance the energy transition. National Climate Committees: Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has set up a bipartisan National Climate Change Response Committee to develop national and global policies. Experienced Climate Politicians: The UK’s Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has appointed Ed Miliband, a seasoned climate politician, to oversee the energy transition. These leaders are focusing on swift action and strategic planning to address climate change effectively. 🌍 #ClimateLeaders #NetZero #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture

People worldwide, regardless of political views, often underestimate the support for climate action. This “perception gap” is crucial. Here’s why: 📔 Policy change: Governments are more likely to implement climate-friendly policies if they believe they have strong public backing. 📝 Business practices: Companies need to know that consumers demand low-carbon products and sustainable practices. 👥 Collective action: We’re more likely to make changes if we believe others will too. If governments, companies, innovators, and our neighbors realize most people are concerned about the climate and want change, they’ll be more willing to act. Conversely, underestimating widespread support may keep us quiet for fear of causing disruption. This impacts both national and international cooperation. No country can solve climate change alone. If we think other countries don’t care or won’t act, we might consider our efforts pointless. So, your voice matters. Speak up when you care. Source: https://lnkd.in/eM-SvdzB #climateaction #sustainability #collectiveeffort

Why bother involving people in climate? There are lots of reasons. Only some of them are because in principle it gets you better / fairer / more popular / more efficient climate policy. Two others I've been thinking about today with help of Gurpreet Kaur, PhD, LLM Nameerah Hameed and others. 1) because it's a right. Rights to participation are enshrined in all sorts of international conventions. And the international court of common sense. We should get a say on important stuff, because we just should*. 2) because people want to be involved! Check this out from Nesta. 71% of people want a say on how we get to net zero. https://lnkd.in/d2-Nt55N These are arguments not about climate really, but about citizenship, and giving people a say over *something* in their lives. In an age of distrust, weird populists and the rise of the robots, the climate transition could be a way to rebuild a sense that 'democracy' in its broadest definition still works and can actually change stuff. Posssssibly some of what I wrote there is airy fairy nonsense, but not all of it. * A whole other debate to be had about whether giving people a say on net zero means we don't get net zero, or don't get it in the way that wonks think it should happen anyway. I think more wonks and campaigners than would admit think this, which is one of the reason 'public engagement on climate change' has been paid lip service to all this time, but never really seriously done in the UK at least. (See also the 'just transition', for the same reasons.)

Today is International Day of Climate Action 🌍, a global movement that started with younger generations worried about climate change and global injustices. Let's take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, as called for in the UN's Sustainable Development Goal on Climate Action (Goal 13). "We Can Change the World and Make it a Better Place," as Nelson Mandela wisely said. Some Actions To Take 1) Speak up and voice your concerns 2) Invest in quality products, not quantity 2) Eat more plant based foods 3) Carpool or drive a fuel efficient vehicle 4) Reduce, reuse and recycle 6) Use energy wisely 7) Invest money responsibly 8) Spread the word to other Visit the link below to learn more about what you can do about climate action and other United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. #ClimateAction #SustainableDevelopment #InternationalDayOfClimateAction #livesustainably