If all African nations were to reduce their global emissions by 100%, it would only result in a 4% reduction in the world’s total emissions.
This startling statistic has stayed with me since I attended a panel discussion titled “Just Climate Finance Requires a Regenerative Economy: a Black Liberation Analysis” featuring Analyah dos Santos.
On that same day, I observed Australia obstructing a conversation on financing for the global south while simultaneously hosting Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander speakers at their pavilion, discussing the very topic they were blocking.
While navigating through the Green Zone where business pavilions held their panels, I overheard two CEOs leading a crowded session for energy companies on crisis communication strategies in response to accusations of greenwashing directed at their organization or leadership.
During an interview with the UNFCCC youth communications representative, I emphasized the concept of “hope as a discipline” in the midst of the firm dedication of those in power to safeguard their interests and uphold capital dominance. In light of all this, it might sound unrealistic to propose that local solutions are the key solutions.
I witnessed people taking concrete actions with significant, specific impacts rooted in community empowerment worldwide. Just because our efforts are local doesn’t mean they lack global significance.
One persistent thought is that the United States is among the leading greenhouse gas emitters. When considering this, actions at the state or local level can actually have tangible global repercussions.
While grabbing coffee between sessions at COP29, I met an environmental law student from Alaska studying in Hawaii due to the absence of a university in her home state. Her dedication to her place of origin, as evidenced by her willingness to study law she may need to relearn through clerkship, and her vision for implementing environmental law to make a difference in her state were truly inspiring.
The connections I established at COP have fueled my commitment to this cause, emphasizing my main takeaway: we cannot depend solely on our leaders, but we must still advocate, educate, and take action for climate justice in our local, state, and national political spheres. Our actions can have a meaningful impact.
Zoe is a Climate Generation Window Into COP delegate for COP29. To learn more, we encourage you to meet the full delegation, support our delegates, and subscribe to the Window Into COP digest.
Zoe Redfern-Hall is the Senior Communications and Marketing Manager at Climate Generation and YEA! Alumni. She graduated from Clark University in 2021 with a degree in Political Science. Upon returning home to Minnesota, she became deeply involved with organizing against the Line 3 oil pipeline. Last year, more than 2,000 oil lobbyists were allowed to attend COP, influencing the negotiations, stories, and transparency of the conference. She is excited and honored to join the Climate Generation delegation of climate leaders, educators, and activists advocating for real change and ambition for a just cultural, economic, and energy transition away from fossil fuels.
