Year after year, global climate meetings take place in one part of the world or another, ever since 1995, with the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP) having taken place in November 2024. Several global leaders attend such global climate meetings and actively participate.
Proceedings of such meetings are well publicised in the media all over the world, raising hope that tangible solutions will be evolved and strategies will be worked out to overcome the climate crisis. However, ground realities indicate that nothing much has happened and the intensity of the climate crisis remains unabated.
In every COP, leaders of governments deliver what now appear to be “ready-made speeches,” with announcements of stringent targets and tall promises. Animated discussions take place, particularly with regard to providing funds for climate management in developing countries by developed ones. In such meetings, it is invariably stressed that the use of fossil fuels should be cut down drastically as an essential prerequisite for preventing global temperature rise. The need for curtailing the emission of noxious gases such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane is highlighted as a necessary condition to protect the global climate.
However, as of today, it is reported by several meteorological agencies around the world that global temperature is not showing any sign of declining but is only increasing. Due to this, it is reported that ice melting in the Arctic region is taking place at an alarming level, and monsoon and weather conditions in different parts of the world are changing and becoming erratic, along with many other adverse developments.
In spite of leaders of governments delivering eloquent assurances in COP meetings, several of these leaders have no hesitation in engaging in wars between countries over various issues.
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, attacks on Lebanon by Israel, conflicts between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and several other skirmishes between countries are resulting in the use of weapons and missile attacks that cause huge pollution. The adverse effects of such pollution are not confined to the countries at war but spread everywhere.
In ongoing wars, drones and thousands of missiles have been deployed by the countries involved, causing destruction of buildings and infrastructure as well as the killing of innocent people.
Missile attacks during wars cause severe, long-term environmental issues, including air, soil, and water contamination, habitat destruction, and significant carbon emissions. Explosions release hazardous substances—such as heavy metals and explosive residues—while triggering fires that reduce air quality and destroy ecosystems.
Unfortunately, the citizens of the world who are not part of the decision-making teams of warlords are helplessly suffering due to climate changes caused by conflicts and wars.
Scientists across the world are working hard to find appropriate solutions to prevent the emission of noxious gases by developing alternate eco-friendly technologies, such as the promotion of electric vehicles, development of hydrogen-based technologies, and promotion of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
However, the indulgence in wars by leaders of governments, for one reason or another, is undoing the positive work of hardworking scientists and making the COP conference proceedings appear like an exercise in futility. While scientists and technologists can certainly find solutions for global warming and consequent ecological problems, the question is: who will make the warlords develop responsible behaviour and avoid getting involved in wars?
The net impact today is that the global climate issue continues to remain unresolved and grim, while the leaders of governments who participate and speak in global climate meetings are only indulging in “lip talk” without truly being committed to the cause of a healthy global climate.
Further, there is no reduction in the production and use of fossil fuels. Several countries, including China, India, Australia, and Indonesia, continue to increase coal production and use, while crude oil and natural-gas-rich countries are not taking any steps to reduce the production of crude oil. Methane gas is another high-impact global warming gas, and emissions of methane are not showing any signs of decline.
In such circumstances, with warlords remaining unchecked and unrestricted, the hope of finding a solution to the global climate crisis appears like a mirage as of now. The basic issue seems to be the lack of commitment by governments to the cause of climate betterment, proving that loud talk and tall claims are no substitute for committed and positive actions to overcome the challenge of the climate crisis.
While the avoidance of war and the prevalence of peace are important requirements to ensure climate protection, this is unfortunately not happening.
