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&nbsp;The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the <a href="https://unfccc.int/">UNFCCC</a>, or COP27, took place earlier this month from November 6th until November 18th in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.From 6 to November 20th, COP27 held high-level and side events, critical negotiations, and press conferences, hosting more than 100 Heads of State and Governments, over 35,000 participants, and numerous pavilions showcasing climate action around the world and across different sectors.What is COP??? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=712uAGtorck">Learn more&nbsp;</a> Climate and biodiversity crises have been treated as separate issues for many years. However, this year's COP has highlighted an alarming reality. There is no viable solution to limiting global warming to 1.5°C without urgently protecting and restoring nature. Therefore, the main goal now is to collectively drive action across climate, biodiversity, and desertification to help close the finance gap for nature-based solutions.With this goal in mind, on November 20th, the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP27, decided to establish and operationalize a loss and damage fund.Welcoming the decision and calling the fund essential, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that more must be done to reduce emissions now. He stressed that we, as humanity, must take action and fight for climate justice.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The world still needs a giant leap on climate ambition." - UN Secretary-General António Guterres.&nbsp;"We can and must win this battle for our lives," he concluded.&nbsp;<h1>COP 27 Thematic Days</h1>The conference had various discussions covering different topics, from gender to biodiversity and decarbonization, finalizing in a day dedicated to solutions.&nbsp;<h2> November 9th - Finance Day&nbsp;</h2>Finance day addressed several aspects of the climate finance ecosystem. Including financial tools and policies that have the potential to enhance access, scale up finance and contribute to the transition to more sustainable living practices and economies.&nbsp;<h2>November 10th - Science Day</h2>Science day held different panel discussions and events to bring forward the outcomes of scientific reports and their recommendations. It also looked into engaging with the scientific community, practitioners, and stakeholders.&nbsp;<h2>November 10th - Youth &amp; Future Generations Day</h2>Ensuring that the voice of Youth and Future Generations is heard loud and clear is one of the objectives of the CoP27 Presidency.<h2>November 11th - Decarbonization Day</h2>Since adopting the Paris Agreement and going to Glasgow in 2021, several energy-intensive sectors and companies have come forward with plans, policies, and actions to reduce their carbon footprints and gradually move towards decarbonization. The decarbonization day provided an opportunity to discuss such approaches and procedures and showcase technologies to encourage and facilitate the much-needed transition towards a low-carbon economy.<h2>November 12th - Adaptation &amp; Agriculture Day</h2>This day focused on the current climate impacts on agriculture and how to prepare for the future.&nbsp;<h2>November 14th - Gender Day&nbsp;</h2>Gender Day aimed to highlight the role of women in dealing with all aspects of climate change and discuss the challenges women still face to be heard. In addition, the day will shed light on the woman's role in adapting to climate change.<h2>November 14th - Water Day</h2>Water day focused on discussing water scarcity, drought, cross-boundary cooperation, and improvement of early warning systems.<h2>November 15th - Ace &amp; Civil Society Day</h2>Power to the people. Climate action requires engagement with Civil Society. That is you, us, the people. With this in mind, CoP27 offered a platform to share best practices and identify challenges and networking opportunities.&nbsp;<h2>November 15th - Energy Day</h2>Energy day looked at all things related to energy and climate change, including renewable energy and energy transformation. It also looked at renewable energy, smart grids, energy efficiency, and energy storage for the future.&nbsp;<h2>November 16th - Biodiversity Day</h2>One of the most crucial aspects of discussion during COP27. Biodiversity day looked at all things related to nature and ecosystem-based solutions. It also touched upon the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and the actions needed to prevent further biodiversity loss and to reduce the effects of climate change and pollution. Climate change on oceans, endangered species, coral reefs, sustainability of protected areas, and the impacts of plastic waste on ecosystems and species were discussed during biodiversity day.&nbsp;<h2>November 17th - Solutions Day</h2>The most critical day, solutions day, focused on proposing real actionable solutions to all the issues discussed.&nbsp;Such as greening national budgets, creating sustainable cities, sustainable transport, sectoral solutions like waste management, and alternatives to plastic and green building.&nbsp;Solutions day also offered companies an opportunity to bring their creativity, funding, and innovation into the effort toward combating climate change.&nbsp;Learn more about the thematic days and access videos and actions by visiting <a href="https://www.cop27.eg/#/presidency/events">here</a>&nbsp;<h2>Actions Speak Louder than Words: The COP 27's Climate Action Hub</h2>The Climate Action Hub showcases the beautiful work being done around the world by local governments, the private sector, and civil society. The Climate Action Hub was launched at COP24 in Katowice in 2018. The main difference between the Action Hub and COP is that while COP is dominated by Party negotiations among the governments, the Action Hub is a place for everyone else to showcase their efforts in tackling the climate crisis. It's a space to share, network, engage and learn: a transparent, participatory space that is always one of the highlights of the COP.&nbsp;Everyone from billionaire investors to polar explorers to athletes, musicians, actors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and activists all highlight their own climate actions.&nbsp; &nbsp;

COP27 met in Sharm El Sheikh - Egypt, from 6 to 18 November 2018, and discussed how to increase political support for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

COP27  Focusing on Sustainability and Growth!

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Thinking Caps onCreate your own Action Hub with your friends and family.&nbsp;Looking into your local area and the environmental issues or challenges around where you live, develop an agenda and create your own Action Hub. Remember to focus on solutions and take action together! Start small; small changes can make a big impact. &nbsp;

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<h2>What is Climate Change?</h2>Climate Change is somewhat controversial for many reasons. Many people believe climate change is a natural process where temperature, rainfall, wind, and other elements vary over the years. Therefore, there is little we can or should do. However, others supported by scientific data believe the extreme and unprecedented rapid warming we are experiencing is caused by human activities, primarily due to burning fossil fuels that generate greenhouse gas emissions.Whether you believe in one theory or another, one thing is for sure. Staying still and doing nothing about a situation will never produce any changes. The reality is that humans are growing and expanding rapidly, and in one way or another, we are making the planet less hospitable for us in the long term. Earth might continue to exist, whether cold or hot, but what about humans? We must ensure we protect the environment that allows us to live and thrive on Earth.&nbsp;<h1>Transforming climate issues into solutions&nbsp;</h1>Let's look at the most pressing climate issues we face today and focus on the solutions.&nbsp;<h2>Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge – and key to the solution.&nbsp;</h2>The issue: Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, are the biggest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.Scientific research affirms that to avoid climate change's worst impacts, we must reduce emissions by almost half by the year 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.The solution: We need to end our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative sources of energy that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable. We've talked about clean and renewable energy in the past - see the blog post "<a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/clean-energy-using-earth-s-gifts-to-power-the-world?redirect_to=%2Fsearch%23clean-energy-using-earth-s-gifts-to-power-the-world">Clean Energy Using Earth's Gifts to Power the World</a>" for more detail about clean energy sources.&nbsp;Today, according to the International Energy Agency, about 29 percent of electricity comes from renewable sources. However, we still need to do better and stop fossil fuel consumption across the world.&nbsp; &nbsp;Actions:&nbsp;<ul><li>Renewable energy is all around us. We have the power to pressure our current governments into looking for more renewable energy solutions and investing in developing the industry. This can also create more local jobs and expand economies. Join the conversation, email or write a letter to your local government, talk about it in school, and ask friends and family to get involved.&nbsp;</li><li>Ask your family to change energy providers to one that offers some, if not all, power from clean energy sources. Websites like https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/energy/green-energy/ in the UK allow you to search for clean energy suppliers. Encourage your family to research and find a deal that works for your household and the environment.&nbsp;</li><li>Save energy, and get in the habit of turning all lights off when not in use. Unplug unused appliances, and always ensure you use only the power you need.&nbsp;</li><li>Disconnect from the tech and digital world and enjoy some time playing outdoors or engaging in activities that don't require the use of electricity—like board games, playing ball, talking, and sharing with friends and family.&nbsp;</li></ul> &nbsp;<h1>Biodiversity - our strongest defense against climate change</h1>Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms, from genes and bacteria to entire ecosystems such as forests or coral reefs. All the animals on Earth and all the plants are considered biodiversity. Today's biodiversity is the result of 4.5 billion years of evolution, and it is still constantly evolving.&nbsp;The issue: human activity, and more importantly, human expansion, is affecting biodiversity – primarily for food production. Farming displaces local plants and animals to make way for crops and cattle, completely changing the ecosystem in the area. Agriculture is also one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases which accelerate climate change. In addition, climate change has altered marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems around the world. It has caused the loss of local species, increased diseases, and driven mass mortality of plants and animals, resulting in the first climate-driven extinctions.Conserving and restoring natural spaces on land and in water is essential for limiting carbon emissions. Around one-third of the greenhouse gas emission reductions needed could be achieved by improving nature's ability to absorb emissions.&nbsp;The solution: Governments deal with climate change and biodiversity through international agreements – such as the <a href="https://unfccc.int/">UN Framework Convention on Climate Change</a> (UNFCCC) and the <a href="https://www.cbd.int/">UN Convention on Biological Diversity</a> (CBD)- established at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Similar to the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/paris-agreement">Paris Agreement</a> made in 2015, parties to the Biodiversity Convention are currently working towards an agreement for nature, known as the <a href="https://www.cbd.int/conferences/post2020">post-2020 global biodiversity framework</a>. But is this enough? Can governments ensure biodiversity is preserved? Again, actions speak louder than words. We can only hope that together we can achieve the positive changes needed to protect lives around the world.&nbsp;Actions: You can help. We need your help and all the future generations to come.&nbsp;<ul><li>Support local and national parks by visiting and/or participating in biodiversity activities to protect and preserve local ecosystems&nbsp;</li><li>Become a conscious consumer, buy less and reuse more, and do your research when buying new products. Learn about what they are made of and where they come from, and avoid products that entice unsustainable actions.&nbsp;</li><li>Reduce waste of consumer goods: food, clothes, electrical appliances, etc.&nbsp;</li><li>Recycle or compost when possible.&nbsp;</li><li>Educate others about the importance of biodiversity and the dangers of extinction. Speak with friends and family, and watch documentaries together.&nbsp;</li><li>Get involved with local youth nature programs.&nbsp;</li><li>Participate in a beach or park cleaning as a volunteer.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Find out the truth about global warming, what you can do to fight it, and where to get more information.

Climate Change: What does it mean for our future?

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Thinking Cap OnDo some research about the ecosystem where you live, whether near the beach, the mountains, or even a city.&nbsp;Find out and make a list of the following:&nbsp;<ul><li>Trees in the area, how old they are, what they are, and what animals like to live/eat in them</li><li>Animals that are natural to the area</li><li>Any animals brought to the area by humans. Did they misplace other species? When did they come to the area, and how?&nbsp;</li><li>How do the seasons affect the local animals?</li><li>Are there any extinct animal or plant species where you live?</li></ul>Discuss with your friends and family. Some might need to learn about the ecosystem and how it has evolved in the area.

Stockholm+50 was conveyed just last week in Sweden. This year's meeting marked the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.&nbsp;Stockholm +50 focused on climate change, emphasizing pollution and waste, nature, and biodiversity loss. One hundred twenty-two countries attended, and participants adopted a series of principles on the environment, including the <a href="http://undocs.org/en/A/CONF.48/14/Rev.1">Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan for the Human Environment</a>. The two-day international meeting concluded with a statement that contains several recommendations for an actionable plan.&nbsp;These include:&nbsp;a. Placing human well-being at the center of a healthy planet and prosperity for all.&nbsp;b. Recognizing and implementing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.&nbsp;c. Adopting system-wide changes in our current economic system and accelerating high-impact sectors' transformations.It is time for action! If we don't act now, we might reach a point of no return for humanity. But where can we start?&nbsp;Actions speak louder than words, which is why delegates at Stockholm 50+ have developed Leadership Dialogues to enable us to measure progress toward a healthy planet.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>The Leadership Dialogues address the following themes:</h1>Leadership Dialogue 1: Reflecting on the urgent need for actions to achieve a healthy planet and prosperity for all.What can you do:&nbsp;Leaders around the world are working on actionable plans to make this happen. However, change starts at home. So what can you do to achieve a healthier planet? you can start by:- Avoiding overuse of resources. For example, turn off the water tap while brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, or even taking showers to avoid water waste. Turn the lights off and unplug the TV and computer when not in use.&nbsp;- Ask your family to buy only local and seasonal fruit and veg and cut down on food miles - this will reduce your carbon footprint.&nbsp;- Get involved, and use your voice to educate your friends, family, school, and your local community. Participate in beach and park cleaning days and avoid littering.&nbsp;- Buy second-hand clothes, swap clothes with friends, or repair and recycle clothes that no longer fit you. Avoid adding more clothes to landfills and participate in circular economies.&nbsp;- Take the bike or walk when possible, to avoid unnecessary car travel, and reducing your carbon footprint.&nbsp;-Read food labels and avoid foods with ingredients that are harmful to yourself and the environment. For example, palm tree oil is causing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.&nbsp;-Plant a tree, or get involved with organizations that work on carbon offsetting by planting trees, such as<a href="https://ecologi.com"> Ecologi</a>.&nbsp;Sustainable development goals activated by taking action: 11, 12, 13 and 17 &nbsp;Leadership dialogue 2: Achieving a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.What can you do?The global pandemic and the lockdowns that happen as a result have taken their toll on many communities. Many people lost their lives, but many more have lost their jobs, leaving them and their families struggling for food and shelter. So what can you do?&nbsp;-Ask your parents to buy local. Small businesses have been affected the most. By buying locally, you are helping your community and boosting the local economy.&nbsp;- Lockdowns also deprived many children of school time and educational resources. Look for local charities, after-school clubs, libraries, or schools in deprived areas and find ways to help them by donating old books or volunteering.-Support businesses that pay fair wages to their employees.&nbsp;- Take the train or bus, and support local transport links in your community. Maintaining these helps mobility and allows people to get to work and school when they don't own a car.&nbsp;- Advocate for gender equality and inclusion.&nbsp;Sustainable development goals activated by taking action: 1, 8, 11, and 12&nbsp; &nbsp;Leadership Dialogue 3: Accelerating the implementation of the environmental dimension of Sustainable Development in the context of the Decade of Action.What can you do?The Decade of Action is directly tied to the 17 UN Sustainability Goals. By making sure you learn, share and take action on any of the 17 goals, you are already working toward accelerating the implementation of substantial efforts to save the world.&nbsp;Additionally, to all the goals, you can also:&nbsp;-Get involved in a local cause, charity, or project to help create awareness and take action.&nbsp;-Learn more about the Youth Assembly and how young people like you are helping create actions.&nbsp;-Learn about the UNEP-YEA Green Jobs initiative, which focuses on improving education for green careers and job placement processes for educators and employers.-Join the conversation online #OnlyOneEarth&nbsp;-Participate in our 2022 drawing contest&nbsp;Sustainable development goals are activated by taking action: all 17 goals.&nbsp;<h1>Pathways to Action: The 5R's</h1>Whenever you think of the future, use the 5R's as your pathway to action - We have a vision for the future we want; now, let's make it happen.&nbsp;<ol><li>Reimagining the future - through sustainable living and alternatives to fossil fuels and energy. Reimagining a future with equality and diversity and fair living conditions for all.&nbsp;</li><li>Regenerating nature's ecosystems and communities.&nbsp;</li><li>Recovering green spaces and communities. Especially after Covid19.&nbsp;</li><li>Rebalancing relations with other living species, accessing and using resources, and rebalancing production and consumption.&nbsp;</li><li>Renewing global and local participation. Interconnecting peoples, governments, civil society, children and youth, and the private sector and building opportunities to strengthen communities and institutions.&nbsp;</li></ol>

The planet needs us more than ever. It is time for us to start taking action, being responsible and conscious consumers leading to a sustainable lifestyle for all. 

It is time for action.

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With these 5Rs in mind, can you develop a plan to solve a climate or social issue in your community? Think outside of the box. Imagine possibilities are endless. What problem can you solve? Share and discuss with your family.&nbsp;

Thinking Cap

2021 was a fantastic year for sustainability. We learned a lot, shared a lot, and accomplished a lot. In 2021 the world reaffirmed its commitment to continue building the path to a more sustainable feature. We saw countries unite in COP26; we saw more governments committing to make changes toward sustainability. We witnessed global efforts to fight the effects of global warming and move toward a net-zero future. &nbsp;In 2021, we joined efforts with the United Nations and World Environment Day to celebrate the eleventh edition of our Drawing Contest. We are so glad that you are here with us again for another exciting, knowledge-filled, creative year. Are you ready?&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>What is Happening 2022&nbsp;</h1>We are excited to start a new year, and we hope to count on you, your friends, and your family to continue learning and expanding together. The Diproinduca WED Drawing Contest was established with you in mind to help you learn more about our planet. We want to help you explore beyond the classroom environment and dive into creating and imagining a better, cleaner, fairer, and thriving world. A world in which you, the kids, are the protagonists.&nbsp;This year, <a href="https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/sweden-host-world-environment-day-2022">World Environment Day will be hosted in Sweden on the 5th of June</a>, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This year will be all about 'Only One Earth'. This is because we have one Earth and one Earth only; there is no planet B.&nbsp;Have you ever looked up at the stars and wondered how many amazing things had to happen to allow our planet to sustain life? From all the planets and stars in our solar system, Earth's unique composition has allowed life to evolve over millions of years. But, our planet needs you. Unfortunately, we humans have overused Earth's resources for years, and we are heading to the point of no return. But there is still time. 2022 World Environment Day theme focuses on living more sustainable, healthier, and greener lifestyles for the future of our planet. Together we can be #GenerationRestoration.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>All for One and One for All</h1>From the Latin, 'Un pour tous, tous pour un' was a motto first made famous by Alexandre Dumas in the 1844 novel The Three Musketeers. However, this motto's sentiment is alive and present in what we need to accomplish this year.&nbsp;All individuals, families, companies, communities, countries, and societies must work together to make our sustainability goals work. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG17), which we have been learning and practicing together, are achieved when communities and people work together. We must continue to share our experiences and ideas to strengthen our communities and build a more sustainable future from the inside out. You, the adults of tomorrow, must build upon these principles to ensure we have a healthy planet for generations to come. However, the responsibility is not yours. It is ours, kids and adults alike.&nbsp;But remember, each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is important on its own but combined, they have the strength of a team of superheroes working together. Read our 2021 recap article, <a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/let-s-keep-moving-forward-together?redirect_to=%2Fblog%3Flimit%3D9%26offset%3D0%23let-s-keep-moving-forward-together">Let's Keep Moving Forward Together</a> if you need a reminder of all the 17 goals.&nbsp;Can we count on you? Will you join us this year for another year of building and growing together?&nbsp;You don't have to wait until the drawing contest to get started. Actually, you have already started by reading this blog post today. All you need to do is continue to build upon your knowledge, share your experience and get involved online and offline. Start recycling at home, thrift shop, use a water bottle, start an environmental club. Every small action helps!&nbsp;Don't know where to start? We've got you covered. Check out our 'thinking cap' below.&nbsp;

Are you excited to join us in our journey to learn more about the environment and protect Earth's precious living resources? Then buckle up, because here is a sneak preview of what we have for you this year.

There Is No Planet B: Rebuilding Today for a Better Tomorrow

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<h2>Thinking Caps On</h2>Let's get this party started! But, first, ask your parents permission to head over to the <a href="https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/">World Environment Day website</a> and signup to receive the latest news about #GenerationRestoration and #OnlyOneEarth. Find out how to get involved in this year's conversation. Many communities around the world are making small changes every day. What small changes can you make? Share your ideas with us!

We have all learned different things this year. At home, at school, with friends and family. One year of growth, both academically and emotionally. But what have we learned from Climate Change?Climate change affects everything at a local and global level. Climate change affects geopolitics, the economy, people's livelihood and jobs, people's wellbeing and access to education. It also affects animals, plants and our planet's overall health. And because of this, Climate Change is relevant to every person on the planet. &nbsp;<h1>The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals&nbsp;</h1>Throughout the year, we have discovered each goal together. We have talked about how everything from small changes to big global strategies has to be considered to achieve climate neutrality and reverse environmental damages done by humans. But just as a quick reminder, The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were proposed by the United Nations in 2015. Their goal is to serve as a collective call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.&nbsp;<h2><a href="https://www.globalgoals.org/">The 17 goals are</a></h2>Goal 1: No povertyGoal 2: Zero hunger&nbsp;Goal 3: Good health and wellbeingGoal 4: Quality educationGoal 5: Gender equalityGoal 6: Clean water and sanitationGoal 7: Affordable and clean energyGoal 8: Decent work and economic growthGoal 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureGoal 10: Reduced inequalityGoal 11: Sustainable cities and communitiesGoal 12: Responsible consumption and productionGoal 13: Climate actionGoal 14: Life below waterGoal 15: Life on landGoal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsGoal 17: Partnership for the goals&nbsp;Some of these are very straightforward. However, it is important to remember that for each goal to be achieved, governments, organizations, citizens and in some cases, even children have to work together.&nbsp;So we could say learning number one this year of sustainable development goals is: Together we are stronger.&nbsp;Head over to our blog page and use the search bar to learn more about each SDG in more detail.&nbsp;<h1>COP 26 - Steps in the Right Direction&nbsp;</h1>Some say, slowly but surely wins the race. And the truth is that when it comes to sustainability, any win is a step forward. For example, this year, the COP26 conference took place in Glasgow, UK. The conference brings together leaders from all over the world to a "Conference of the Parties" in search of tangible long-term and short-term solutions to each UN Sustainable Development Goal. It creates unions and sometimes divisions but certainly stirs some governments in the right direction. COP26 creates accountability. It makes governments take action for their citizens and for the world.&nbsp;This brings us to our second learning: Accountability is needed for progress. Accountability means that sometimes mistakes will happen. However, it is our responsibility to make amends and look for ways to improve.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>2021 Highlights&nbsp;</h1>Covid came to change everyone's lives. The way we socialize at work and the school changed dramatically. We even had to adapt to learn classes delivered online. It has been a challenging year for many, but we have also seen progress.&nbsp;Scientists around the world work day and night together to develop vaccines in record time. We discovered we could work from anywhere and not only from an office. We discovered how hard it can be to apart. Still, we also learned how to appreciate being around our friends and family. We have adapted because that is what we do.&nbsp;This brings us to our third learning: Humans learn and adapt even under the most challenging conditions.&nbsp;Sadly COVID-19 has hurt development. Many of the proposed UN goals are not met yet and will take longer to achieve. As a result, poverty levels have increased, and access to health services is still a challenge in some countries. But it is a work in progress. As we continue to work together, learn, grow, and implement technologies of scale, we will be able to recuperate from Covid and its wave of devastation. In addition, climate finance provided by developed to developing countries has increased, reflecting an ongoing commitment to support the global transition to a low-emission and climate-resilient future.To learn how COVID-19 has affected sustainable development, we invite you to visit the <a href="https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2021/">SDG Indicators</a> website and download the 2021 report.&nbsp; &nbsp;Cop26 also brought some results, such as:&nbsp;<a href="https://ukcop26.org/glasgow-leaders-declaration-on-forests-and-land-use/">Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use</a> – a pledge to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, signed by over 100 countries, including Brazil and Indonesia.<a href="https://www.globalmethanepledge.org/">Global Methane Pledge</a> to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 was signed by over 90 countries. China, India and Russia did not sign&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/u-s-china-joint-glasgow-declaration-on-enhancing-climate-action-in-the-2020s/">The US and China have released a rare joint statement</a> committing to cooperate in their efforts to maintain within 1.5ºC warming.India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the country's intention to become net-zero by 2070.&nbsp;Last but not least, we launched the 11th edition of our Drawing Contest. You took part and learned all about the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We grew a community together, and you submitted some fantastic art pieces. We wanted to take action from what we explored and learned for the past ten years; We took the first steps towards giant leaps to achieve a sustainable planet. But there's still so much more to do. So, let's Keep Moving Forward Together.&nbsp;

We have learned a lot in this past year. We've learned how to work together and find creative solutions to complex problems like Climate Change.

Let's Keep Moving Forward Together

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Last week on the blog, we talked about climate change and the importance of going beyond carbon neutrality. We also mentioned COP 26 and its significance. If you haven't done so already, we recommend checking out <a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/let-s-create-a-net-zero-future?redirect_to=%2Fblog%3Flimit%3D9%26offset%3D0%23let-s-create-a-net-zero-future">"Let's Create a Net-Zero Future"</a> to better understand some concepts discussed here today.&nbsp;As mentioned before, last week, nations from all over the world got together at Glasgow Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 26) to discuss immediate and future action for climate change. It is now vital for the planet's health that we unite, plan and execute strategies to prevent the world from overheating, polluting and deteriorating further.&nbsp;However, have you ever tried planning and organizing schoolwork or a project with friends? Action is easier planned than executed. Now imagine when the risks and stakes are high, and the future of the planet is in your hands. Leaders from across the world have to engage and lengthy negotiations and plan strategies, always taking into account: the environment, the economy, the citizens' rights, and other countries.&nbsp;But COP 26 has seen some remarkable progress. Check it out.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>COP Highlights:&nbsp;</h1><ul><li>Nigeria pledged to reach net-zero by 2060. &nbsp;</li><li>India committed to achieving net-zero by 2070.</li><li>The Global Methane Pledge was launched, with over 70 countries pledging to collectively lower methane emissions by 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels.</li><li>Norway announced it would double its climate finance commitment to 1.6 billion USD by 2026, while Denmark pledged 1 billion USD by 2023 and Japan promised 10 billion USD in the next five years.&nbsp;</li><li>The Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use was born. Bringing together 110 countries from around the world to end deforestation by 2030.&nbsp;</li><li>The Breakthrough Agenda was announced to accelerate the development and deployment of clean technologies and sustainable solutions by 2030.</li><li>France, Germany, the UK, the US and the EU launched the International Just Energy Transition Partnership with South Africa to support South Africa's decarbonizing of its economy. &nbsp;</li></ul><h1>You Too Can Help Fight Climate Change</h1>You too can help. With simple small changes, you can help fight climate change. No step is too little or too small when it comes to helping our planet. First, however, we have gathered a few ideas to inspire you:&nbsp;Have your say! Youth for climate action! UNICEF has created <a href="https://www.voicesofyouth.org/">Voices of Youth</a>, a dedicated platform for young advocates to talk and share issues that matter to you.&nbsp;<ul><li>Say no thanks to single-use plastic. Plastic is one of the biggest contaminants in the world, and according to a study, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans. Bring your own water bottle everywhere you go; try to consume fewer drinks in plastic bottle containers, bring your own utensils and say no to plastic lids and straws.&nbsp;</li><li>Opt for walking or biking when travelling short distances instead of riding fueled vehicles. Talk with your family about EV and hybrid cars and discuss the possibility of having one in the future.&nbsp;</li><li>Use, reuse, recycle. Make sure you segregate the garbage at home and rinse everything you intend to send to recycling. Unclean plastics and cardboard cannot be recycled. Also, if you can't recycle something, consider giving it another 'life', for example, old tees and be used for car cleaning.&nbsp;</li><li>Plant a tree in your school or local community. Some areas have tree planting and go-green activities for the whole family. Ask your parents to have a look and see if you can all get involved, or plant a tree at home, or give a tree to your family and friends this Christmas.&nbsp;</li><li>Go litter picking. Many state and national parks need volunteers to litter pick and keep the parks clean. Find ways to get involved and help keep parks clean. Alternatively, always look around and be prepared to pick misplaced garbage even when it doesn't belong to you.&nbsp;</li><li>Research and educate. The best thing you can do is spread the word and educate others around you about the importance of climate change. You can also align your eco-warrior drive with your future, research careers with a green goal in mind and discover how you can help as you become an adult.&nbsp;</li><li>Ask your parents about renewable energy. Is it available where you live?&nbsp;</li></ul>Remember, every little action today can have a significant impact tomorrow. So, to reverse climate change, we all need to work together.&nbsp;

World leaders had to unite and plan strategies on reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the dangerous effects of climate change on the planet. We all can do our part!

Climate Change – Time for Action

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Thinking Cap on&nbsp;Can you live greener for a week? Let's try reducing our carbon footprint by living as green as possible for a week. For each activity you manage to complete daily, you gain points. How many points can you score?<ul><li>Eat a vegan meal: 1 point x meal a day</li><li>Ride a bike/walk: 2 points x trip</li><li>Use public transport: 1 point x trip</li><li>Ride a car - oh no! minus 2 points per trip&nbsp;</li><li>Bring your water bottle and say no to single-use plastic: 3 points.&nbsp;</li><li>Sort the garbage and recycle plastics: 1 point per item recycled&nbsp;</li><li>BONUS point: Plant a tree 5 points&nbsp;</li></ul>Add up all your daily points, and after a whole week, add up all your days. How many points did you score? Can you improve our score? Play with your family and friends to find out who can be greener.

Climate change is a concept you have probably heard quite a few times by now. In our previous blog post, <a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/cows-can-heat-the-world?redirect_to=%2Fblog%3Flimit%3D9%26offset%3D18%23cows-can-heat-the-world">"Cows can Heat the World"</a>, we talked about climate change, global warming, and the Greenhouse Effect. We also spoke about the international efforts that many world leaders are making to fight global warming. If you haven't done so yet, head over to our previous post to better understand the topics discussed in this article.&nbsp;Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Shifts are naturally occurring in any ecosystem. However, dramatic shifts can completely change the natural balance of our ecosystems. This unbalance can even have ripple effects across the world. One example of this is the melting of the arctic ice; Over the past 30 years, the Arctic has warmed at roughly twice the rate as the entire globe, significantly affecting the polar bear population. By the year 2100, polar bears could face starvation and reproductive failure even in far northern Canada.Thankfully, after many years of industrialization and complete disregard for nature, humanity is taking action. With this in mind, the United Nations and governments across the globe are working harder to create new ways of doing and living that are more sustainable and better for the environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Beyond Carbon Neutrality</h1>Carbon neutral refers to not increasing carbon emissions and achieving carbon reduction through offsets. Offsets are like removing stains from clothes. We can remove the stains by washing them after they have happened. Likewise, we can offset carbon dioxide that has already been released by doing something that will compensate or help the environment. The most common way to 'carbon offset' is to plant new trees - reforestation. &nbsp;We can achieve carbon neutrality by making sure we live sustainably, for example, by using renewable energy and making sure we "give back" to nature. However, to become net-zero, we need to go beyond by creating an economy and a way of living that doesn't even require carbon offsetting. It might sound weird to have a goal that equals zero. But when it comes to carbon monoxide, net-zero is exactly where you want to be.&nbsp;This is a big task. The global net-zero goal requires us to change the way we currently produce and consume goods and services. Therefore, this year 2021, from Sun, 31st October to Friday, 12th Nov COP26 is taking place in Glasgow, UK.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>COP 26</h1>COP26 is the 2021 United Nations climate change conference. The conference brings together leaders from all over the world to a "Conference of the Parties" - COPs. This year will be the 26th annual summit – giving it the name COP26. With the United Kingdom as President, COP26 takes place in Glasgow.In the run-up to COP26, the UK is working with every nation to reach an agreement on tackling climate change. Considering that the Paris Agreement was born during COP21 in Paris in 2015, COP26 promises to bring a global solution to climate change. So, Glasgow is the moment for countries to update their original sustainability plans, provide proof of actions and set new goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>Living in Net-Zero: What Will the Jobs of the Future Be?</h1>A net-zero future needs a new generation of thinkers and doers. A net-zero economy will no longer need coal plants, oil refineries or factory farms. Instead, a net-zero future will likely need solar farms, wind farms, regenerative agriculture and sustainable eco-buildings.&nbsp;Jobs of the future will demand more renewable energy jobs, including technicians, construction workers and engineers capable of installing and maintaining solar panels and wind turbines. In addition, environmental auditors and ecologically sustainable careers will likely be required to fulfill jobs in the new net-zero economy.&nbsp;Transportation will be electric, which means there will be a high demand for electric vehicles. Therefore, EV technicians, engineers, service providers will be needed to cover the increased demand for private transportation. However, Net-zero transportation careers will not be limited to personal vehicles. These same technicians will be required to work on electrified urban public transport and intra-city rapid transit systems. But, to truly be net-zero, we will have to move away from heavy transportation and re-design the cities of the future to allow more dynamic inner-city communication. Urban planners, architects and engineers will be in high demand to complete these tasks.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is an inspiring time to be alive! Imagine the possibilities. We will need you and generations to come to be ready and prepared to save the planet and live sustainably.&nbsp;The future is yours to build to build. &nbsp;

This year COP 26 main objective is to urgently set out the aim of keeping the global average temperature rise well below 2°C, and pursued efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.


Let's Create a Net-Zero Future

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This 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is one of the world’s most important meetings right now. There, the world leaders will take actions to limit Global Warming to 1.5°C.&nbsp;We are still on time to correct the trajectory and have a better future for all. Be part of the conversation and tell us: What would you say to the leaders of this conference? What do you think you can also do to help limit climate change?&nbsp;Tell your parents to research simple ways to limit the effects of global warming and be part of the solution!&nbsp;You can visit the <a href="https://ukcop26.org/">COP26 </a>official website and the <a href="https://unfccc.int/conference/glasgow-climate-change-conference-october-november-2021">United Nations Climate Change</a> website, where all the updates are posted and follow the conversation.

In previous articles, we talked about how <a href="https://contest.diproinduca.com/blog/cows-can-heat-the-world?redirect_to=%2Fblog%3Flimit%3D9%26offset%3D9%23cows-can-heat-the-world">"cows can heat the world,"</a> creating climate change via the greenhouse effect.In this article, we want to focus on solutions to the climate change problem.&nbsp;The United Nations Sustainability Goal 13, Climate Change - target 13.2 focuses on integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. This might sound easier said than done, and it may be a very lengthy process. However, it's all looking very promising. As of March 31st, 2021, 125 developing countries have developed national adaptation plans to ensure environmental conservation. Moreover, according to the UN figures, 6 least developed countries have also completed a national adaptation plan.&nbsp;These are all steps in the right direction.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>What Does This Mean?&nbsp;</h1>Imagine you didn't have any rules to follow at home or school. It would be chaos, and everyone would do whatever they wanted. Dirty laundry on the floor? Messy rooms, pizza on the counter. Sure, it would be cool at first to do whatever you want without any rules, but eventually, you will run out of clean clothes, food to eat, and places to sleep.&nbsp;And then what?The same happens with our natural resources and the environment. If we all take and use as we wish without adhering to any rules or taking precautions, we would soon run out of resources. Therefore all nations must plan actions now before it's too late.&nbsp;According to scientists, global emissions should be cut to 45% below 2010 levels by 2030 to <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/2021/08/09/ar6-wg1-20210809-pr/">limit global warming to 1.5°C</a> above pre-industrial levels. The key to making this happen is in working together. All nations have to participate, or at least most governments must commit to making adaptations to prevent or decrease global warming and carbon footprint.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h1>National Sustainable Development Strategies (NSDS)</h1>The concept of the National Sustainable Development Strategies (NSDS) was proposed in 1992 in Agenda 21. Here, countries were called upon to integrate economic, social, and environmental objectives into one strategically focused blueprint for action at the national level.&nbsp;However, the trick is that not all nations are made the same. Each country has its own political, historical, cultural, and ecological circumstances. Therefore, by the early 2000's only about 85 countries had developed some form of national strategies, and the nature and effectiveness of each plan varied considerably from country to country. So it was determined that every country needs to determine how best to approach the preparation and implementation of its national sustainable development strategy depending on their circumstances.&nbsp;For this reason, we now have the <a href="https://www.globalgoals.org/">UN Sustainability Goals 17 SDGs</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>Earth Overshoot Day</h1>In 2021, Earth Overshoot Day (EOD) took place on July 29th. This day is calculated annually as a date on the calendar in which humanity's resource consumption for the year exceeds Earth's capacity to regenerate those resources that year. In other words, on July 29th, 2021, we had already used all the natural resources we had for the year 2021. So we are now 'borrowing' from 2022.&nbsp;EOD is calculated by dividing the world's biocapacity (the amount of natural resources generated by Earth that year), by the world ecological footprint (humanity's consumption of Earth's natural resources for that year), and multiplying by 365 (366 in leap years), the number of days in a year.&nbsp;Earth Overshoot Day has faced criticism for not considering water and land mismanagement (like soil erosion numbers) and relying heavily on carbon dioxide data. However, EOD can undoubtedly serve as a reminder of our impact on the environment.&nbsp;We are consuming faster than Earth can produce, and we do not have a planet B. So our actions today will impact tomorrow.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h1>What Can You Do to Help?</h1>It is not all doom and gloom. YOU are the generation of tomorrow, and therefore <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/takeaction/">every little action today can help.&nbsp;</a><ul><li>Motivate your family and friends to recycle at home, office, and school&nbsp;</li><li>Write a letter to your local council asking about environmental policies in the area. Get involved!&nbsp;</li><li>Start a group, online or at home/school to educate people about the impacts of their everyday actions and their carbon footprint.&nbsp;</li><li>Eat less meat, even if for only one day a week! Find new plant-based recipes to try with friends and family.&nbsp;</li><li>Opt for natural ornaments, Christmas trees, birthday presents, etc., over plastic ones.&nbsp;</li><li>Visit your local library or exchange books with friends and family rather than buying new books.&nbsp;</li><li>Learn about environmentally friendly local businesses.&nbsp;</li></ul>Education and collaboration are the keys to sustainability both at a local and a national level.&nbsp;

We are consuming faster than Earth can produce, and we do not have a planet B. So our actions today will impact tomorrow.

Let's Build Sustainable Societies 

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<h2>Thinking Cap On</h2>What kinds of sustainable ideas, rules, or policies do you think you can implement at home or school? Can you draft a short-term and a long-term plan to make your house and school a greener place? Think about recycling policies, reusing resources, and ways in which you can help people save time, energy, or money.&nbsp;Discuss with your classroom or family. What changes can you start straight away? &nbsp;