COP29—The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024. Ahead of this year's conference, with unprecedented record-breaking temperatures, devastating natural disasters, and greenhouse gas emissions at an all-time high, the UN urgently calls for 'more ambitious, credible climate action plans.' The time to act is now; we must all be committed to this cause.
It's crucial to recognize that the climate crisis is not a distant threat but a pressing issue with grave impacts and consequences. It is a human-induced product of unsustainable overconsumption, corporate greed, and toxic waste, creating climate refugees and driving our relatives to extinction. To be complicit in destroying the world’s lands, oceans, and air is a crime against all our relations.
Long before the inception of the Conference on Climate Change, Indigenous Peoples were at the forefront, warning the international community about the severe consequences of ignoring natural law. These early warnings, rooted in nature and the wisdom of our ancestors, highlight humanity's vital role in this global issue. These warnings should not just be acknowledged but respected and appreciated. We are not mere observers; we are land defenders, water protectors, and caretakers of Mother Earth. ‘Free, prior, and informed consent’ should be the norm, not the exception.
The new UN Climate Change Report shows that national climate plans 'Fall Miles Short of What's Needed.' This report synthesizes information from the 168 latest available nationally determined contributions communicated by 195 Parties to The Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change, and recorded in the registry of nationally determined contributions as of 9 September 2024. The report underscores the need for parties to focus on developing and implementing honest and practical solutions to the climate crisis. Real solutions include protecting our last remaining wild places and sacred sites, transitioning to renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, and investing in clean and safe technologies.
For a deeper understanding of the climate crisis and the actions needed, Native Children’s Survival encourages you to read the UN Emissions Gap Report 2024. Consider what you can do to contribute to climate action and real solutions to the climate crisis. Whether mobilizing on the frontlines, reducing your carbon footprint, supporting sustainable initiatives, or advocating for policy changes, every action, no matter how small, counts in the fight against climate change. Remember, you, as an individual, have the power to make a significant difference. Your actions matter and can inspire others to join the fight for the coming generations.