President George Weah has informed UNESCO 41st Conference in Paris, France that the future well-being of the entire planet is not only threatened by the devastating consequences of global warming, caused by the high emission of greenhouse gases from the industrialized nations of the world, but that the time-window for corrective behavior is rapidly reducing.
According to the United Nations, Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.
Examples of greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building, for example. Clearing land and forests can also release carbon dioxide. Landfills for garbage are a major source of methane emissions. Energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main emitters.
The UN reported that on Day 12 of COP 26, Countries were still locked in negotiations as night descended on the last official day of COP26, with all indications pointing to a long night of working out a final agreement. Earlier in the day, parties met for over three hours to discuss draft texts for the agreement. Many countries voiced general support for the proposals but stressed that various elements needed strengthening or balancing. An overriding concern was to sustain the global effort to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. As Frans Timmermans, lead negotiator for the European Commission, said, “We need to make sure that major emitters reduce their emissions so that we keep 1.5 alive.
Speaking at the 41ST GENERAL CONFERENCE OF UNESCO, President Weah said, the conference is aware that the world is still suffering from the terrible Covid-19 pandemic, which for almost two years now has caused the unfortunate deaths of millions of people around the world, and has taken an record toll on the ways of life and on the livelihoods of all survivors.
According to him, the unfortunate developments should remind world leaders of their collective responsibilities and the roles they must all play in looking ahead, beyond present and pending disasters, to find global solutions that are sustainable, equitable, and inclusive.
photo credit Executive Mansion
