Avenues for Increased Engagement in the International Climate Process in the Midst of Uncertain Times

Abstract:

With the advent of an unprecedented pandemic and widespread political and economic instability, critical action to deal with deteriorating global climate systems is at risk of being severely sidelined. Under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, 2020 was to be a landmark year for acting on the ambitions put forth in those accords. With major UN climate conferences being postponed for as much as a year and public and governmental attention being directed elsewhere, follow through on these ambitions seems at best elusive.

Ironically, our current circumstances also open new opportunities to engage a broader cross section of the global population in international climate activities. Public health restrictions have made video conferencing a commonplace part of daily life in many developed and developing countries. At the same time, the UNFCCC secretariat and a number of nongovernmental groups have been making extensive use of video conferencing technology to conduct both organizational meetings and public events. Though not without its limitations this practice holds considerable promise for jumpstarting wide spread climate awareness and action.