Gen Z “Climate Change Anxiety”

As COP28 rolls on and “countries and oil companies” at this event talk promises to make “major” (??) progress in tackling climate and treble renewable energy use by 2030.  Still no discussions as to limiting human population growth, nor reforming the global economic models from those that encourage same population growth and the resultant consumerisms – both essential if we want to reduce the rate of climate change.

With no penalties for missing targets, and no way to make promises “binding”, then other than a trade and networking event (which is seems to be); what purpose does COP 28 serve?  It would be a curious benchmark against what tangible and real actions and positive change came from COP 27, COP26, COP 25, COP 24… and so on back to COP 1 in Berlin, 1995.  Global Citizen has taken the time to compile such a list, should anyone choose to read it.

Reference: What Are the Biggest Achievements From Previous COP Climate Summits? (globalcitizen.org)

Whilst previous COP events have been mostly “pledges”, I would understand that this COP(28) seeks to make actual commitments; although it remains to be seen how such commitments will be enforced? Perhaps we need to wait for COP29..or COP30 for that one? Given the UN has totally, resoundingly and absolutely failed to resolve hostilities in Ukraine, does little to nothing to resolve or drive the 2-state solution needed for Israel and Palestine, and seems unable to take any meaningful action to stop/limit undocumented migration into Europe; then how much hope should we have?  To my view, these COP events are becoming as inept a talking shop as the UN has long since become.  One of the few things I seem to agree with Greta Thunberg upon is the meaningless talk that seem so proliferate at such events.  Sadly, I’d also level that against Greta Thunberg and it was somewhat surprising that I found myself in agreement with the BBC (Reference: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49918719 ) and their article that stated “Greta Thunberg has not devised any specific environmental strategies”… and goes on to say ”she is credited with raising public awareness of climate change across the world, especially amongst young people.”

…. And what have the Gen Z’ers done with this “awareness”…. Seemingly, spawned an industry in dealing with THEIR climate change anxiety. An internet search of “Climate Change Anxiety” will open a whole world of scholarly articles on such for those who would choose to read them.  For those who don’t want to read this mass of literature and research, there is the “BBC Future Earth. Eco Anxiety” to watch or one of many short articles on the very subject (Climate change is harming my mental health – BBC News).

Perhaps the Greta generation should spend more time listening to people like Susan Hunt of Oneka Technologies who are doing real things rather than yelling intangibles ( The floating desalination machines powered by the waves – BBC News) and feeling anxious?  Is it not also a time to be hopeful and be positive that the rate of climate change can and could be addressed should be have the collective will to do so.