Red Rebel International Day of Action: COP 29

XR Boston will be participating in the Red Rebel International Day of Action on Saturday November 9 in protest of COP 29. The event will start at 2pm. Meet us at the Boston Public Garden entrance at the intersection of Arlington and Boylston streets near the Arlington MBTA green line station. Together we will move through the Common and environs as a funeral procession with die-ins. Feel free to dress in black.

There is no lack of government inaction on the climate crisis in 2024. According to a recent UN report, “countries have made no progress in cutting emissions and tackling global warming.” (1) Massachusetts was part of this lack of progress. Currently, climate legislation is caught up in partisan politics. Private plane use is expanding at a rapid pace and the gas companies continue to build new infrastructure. The only thing that the Healey administration seems to have managed was helping Nibi the beaver.

COP 29 will also be one of the year’s biggest disappointments.

The Conference of the Parties (COP), an annual UN-sponsored climate conference, will be taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking its 29th year. Oil makes up 90% of Azerbaijan's exports. This year’s focus is on determining financial reparations from the Global North to the Global South, addressing the impacts of climate change caused by the North's fossil fuel use. The Global South is already facing severe consequences, including rising sea levels, flooding, and drought. While many advocate for substantial reparations, powerful interests in wealthy countries are lobbying to minimize these financial commitments. In response, protests are taking place throughout the world this week to demand meaningful support for those most affected by climate change.

Even though, the gathering doesn't start until November 11, we are anticipating the convention's failure. Past conferences have not addressed the climate crisis. Wealthy nations with fossil fuel interests control the meetings. Research by economists Nicholas Stern and Vera Songwe in 2022 suggested about 2.4 trillion dollars would be needed annually for developing countries to tackle the climate crisis excluding China. It is unlikely, to say the least, that COP 29 will be able to find an equitable solution for the Global South.

The rain date is Sunday November 10. Hope to see you there!