The #COP28 Newsletter: 2°C redline crossed
... and Delhi records its worst stretch of severe air pollution. A short list of writings ahead of the mega, annual climate conference which starts this year on 30th November in Dubai.
There are just a few days left to what’s being billed as the most important climate conference since the Paris Agreement in 2015.
The COPs (Conference of Parties i.e. countries) are usually held in November-December. In India at this time of year climate coverage is invariably edged out by the headline-grabbing levels of air pollution.
However, this is probably the first COP where climate and air pollution will be in focus jointly, especially the devastating health impacts. Many scientists and experts are now saying air pollution and climate change ought to be seen as a combined issue as far as possible.
Below is a run-through of some articles published both on my Substack page and elsewhere in the run-up to COP28 - how and why these crises matter everyday to everyone from nursery school kids to big businesses.
[Side note: If you’re going to be at COP28, Dubai, would be great to meet up there for a chat, exchange notes or explore collaboration. DM on LinkedIn or email chetan.bhattacharji@gmail.com]
It’s been three decades of climate talks, emissions and temperatures continue to rise - climate officials and scientists are palpably frustrated - COP28 SOS: Nations Are Only Taking ‘Baby Steps’ To Avert Climate Crisis
It’s global warming’s biggest killer - are the world’s biggest economies prepared for it? - ‘No Break, No Escape Anywhere’ from Heat; Scientists Appeal to World Leaders Ahead of Delhi G20 Summit
Are farmers really to blame for hazardous air pollution in Delhi? Yes, these contribute but the farm fires will stop, the pollution won’t - Delhi Drowns In Smog while Rural Punjab Farmers Burn Rice Stubble As Subsidies Discourage Alternative Crops
Years of experience, satellite monitoring and at least one supercomputer couldn’t predict what happened to Delhi on the 2nd of November - Severe Air Pollution Takes Delhi by Surprise
Despite some gains peak pollution in Delhi is still some 30 times WHO’s safe limit. I spoke with a top Delhi government advisor on why the administration can’t fix this - Air Pollution Rising Again in Delhi –10 years After it Was Named ‘Most Polluted City’
From Coal to Clean: over 50 economists, researches, civil society experts co-author a timely volume on how this transition is possible and much needed in India - Writing’s on the Wall: Timely Volume on India’s Coal Dilemma
G20 countries declare intent to triple renewable energy capacity and “demonstrate similar ambition” with other low-emission tech. That isn’t enough to limit global warming to 1.5°C - G20's Response to “Insufficient” Report Card, Sets Stage for Dubai's COP28
2016 was the first time schools in India’s Capital were shut down by air pollution. This year it happened for over two weeks - OPINION: Seven Years of Air Pollution Shutting Down Delhi Schools - No Lessons Learnt
Two deadly numbers ahead of COP28
As if on cue, the world has seen global warming breach the dreaded 2°C mark possibly for the first time. This has been for two days, and not the long-term average which is currently about 1.2° warmer than pre-industrial times. Scientists and researchers strongly advocated that this doesn’t exceed 1.5°, beyond which the effects of global warming - like heat waves, intense rain, unpredictable weather - can be more devastating that what we can handle and irreversible losses.
And Delhi has had its longest and most severe stretch recorded of hazardous air pollution - AQI above 390 - in early November, 2023.