Pico Analytics Fortnightly Newsletter: Eight Billion People and Counting Edition
As the global population tops eight billion we are facing challenges few of us would have envisioned even ten years ago. Food and water insecurity are already prevalent in "hunger hotspots" across the globe with famine threatening people from the Horn of Africa to Afghanistan. The impacts of war and violence are bleeding across national borders and migration is on the rise. The cost-of-living crisis is forcing families to choose between heating or eating and in some cases not being able to do either, instead being forced to rely on the charitable donations of others. Accessing basic resources is rapidly becoming a battle ground as affordability slips through the fingers of the general public, whilst political infighting leaves national economies in tatters. Meanwhile, climate change lingers over us exacerbating every crisis yet further leading to increased gender-based violence, displacement and malnutrition amongst children and adults alike. Yet, we continue on our current path, patting ourselves on the back for making compromises at Cop27, or remembering to take the recycling out and all the while either forgetting about or failing to appreciate the bigger picture.
Our planet is overwhelmed by both the sheer number of humans who live upon it and the astounding amount of resources we consume. The demands we place on our natural world is not only unsustainable but is leading to our own demise. As we squeeze every last drop of oil out of the planet and push every last animal to extinction in a bid to satiate our constant thirst for consumption, we are in-turn bringing about our own destruction. Balance is the key to biodiversity and at this very moment our population is so far out of balance that we are risking all our futures if we fail to consider and mitigate not only the number of people on the planet but also how they utilise resources. With the global population predicted to peak at ten billion at a time when mismanagement of everything from energy to agriculture continues, how can we expect to provide for so many? This edition seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of our planet at a time of immense population growth whilst providing an insight into the actions of those committed groups and individuals who are determined to ensure a sustainable future for all. From the Namibia-Botswana oil project to the taboo discussions surrounding the links between population growth and climate change this edition, as always, aims to educate, inform, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle whilst turning your attention to those projects and laws which aim to enforce sustainability at the highest level.
We here at Pico Analytics know that it can be disheartening and at times frustrating to read through the various articles and reports concerning climate change, sustainable development and ESG's but it is important to understand exactly what is happening in our world and how our needs and requirements are being met. In our Sustainability Spotlight we will be taking a look at this year's Champion of the Earth for Policy Leadership and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, whilst our usual Business Insider video focuses in on a unique project in Thailand which is turning milk cartons into bricks and roofing sheets that can benefit victims of natural disasters such as typhoons. Our newsletter, as usual, will provide a short summary of some of the most notable, informative, and quirky climate stories of the past two weeks in the hope that it provides inspiration and insight into climate news from around the world. Finally, we want to hear from you, our readers, about any topics that interest you, which we can either produce research papers on or include as stories in future newsletters.
OUR
TOP STORIES
Are Borders Holding us Back?
by Parag Khanna 11th November 2022
The writer and author of 'Move: How Mass Migration Will Reshape the World — and What It Means for You' recently produced an opinion piece for the Financial Times taking an in depth look at how borders are inhibiting the global mobility we so desperately need in these troubling times.
Surprisingly global fertility is plummeting as the global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and now climate change sound the death knell for fertility. With almost half of the world's youth expressing concern about having children in fear of the changing climate, "peak humanity" appears to be just around the corner. The trifecta of covid, conflict and climate change has killed and displaced millions whilst the majority of global youth are trapped in sweltering geographies from the Horn of Africa to south-east Asia spelling demographic disaster for the future of our species. "A failure to offer them a means of escape will accelerate ecocide on a scale that ultimately impoverishes us all". Meanwhile, in the Western world infrastructure is decaying, an aging population lacks medical care, stagflation persists and home ownership remains out of reach western civilization is proving once again that they are dismal at "safeguarding geopolitical stability, reducing economic inequality and protecting the ecological commons".
Parag Khanna is calling for a change in our mentality towards sovereignty and borders as the 21st Century brings 1bn people on the move. Climate refugees, political asylum seekers and young workers seeking prosperity are all increasing in numbers and instead of pushing away such migrants as in the case of Russia it is important that we harness human capital in the same way as Canada. Mobility and freedom of movement should be a basic right yet sovereignty has never been stronger as we continue to live in a world with more borders than ever before and UN states zealously guard the right to protect their boundaries. Events such as COP solidify this standpoint as climate mitigation through decarbonisation is pushed to the fore whilst climate adaptation is pushed to the back. More habitable regions of the planet must look to become centers for our future civilisation whilst our world as a whole must find a way to successfully combine demographic mobility and sustainable infrastructure to ensure a future for coming generations. Whether our human population tops 10bn or drops to 5bn our future could be determined by our ability to mobilize migration to achieve greater ends.
'It's a Sin' Namibia-Botswana Oil Project Raises Concern for the Okavango Delta
by Lebo Diseko 10th November 2022
Deep in the heart of Southern Africa the Okavango Delta provides an oasis for endangered species and exceptional flora and fauna who keep the balance in a particularly delicate ecosystem. The site itself is so precious that it has been designated a World Heritage Site and many work daily to protect the creatures which reside there. Yet, they now face a new threat as the search for new fossil fuel sites by Canadian company, Reconnaissance Energy Africa (ReconAfrica), who hold exploration licenses for an area 34,325km straddling the border between Botswana and Namibia, has begun with three test wells being drilled in Namibia.
Religious leaders in the region have chosen to speak out over the actions of such companies in this region, going so far as to call the current project a sin. Luke Pato, former Anglican Bishop of Namibia spent his last months in office campaigning against the project arm in arm with other religious leaders. His personal position, though rooted in his religious beliefs, also comes from a place of worry over the future of underground reservoirs that connect to the Okavango river. The river itself runs along the Namibian border carrying water to the neighboring delta in Botswana and with it it nourishes humans, animals and plants alike. He also conveyed his concerns over foreign companies exploiting natural resources in Africa which amounts to a "new wave of colonialism" and made calls for Cop27 delegates to put forward a resolution to end companies drilling outside of their own countries.
Though the Namibian government has rejected Bishop Pato's criticism, claiming a responsibility to develop the country's natural resources for the benefit of the people and could not be considered irresponsible as the nation's greenhouse gas emissions remain insignificant compared to that of developed nations the issues surrounding African countries continuation of fossil fuel exploitation remains a point of deep division. A standpoint many can empathize with as numerous nations choose to exploit oil and gas deposits, in order to grow their economies and end energy poverty. However, with so many potential clean sources of energy it is important to ask why anyone would turn back to fossil fuels.
Religious leaders were not the only community to speak out against the project as the indigenous group who are the descendants of Southern Africa's first inhabitants: the San, are sharing their concerns through activism and campaigns to protect natural resources in fear of losing animals through migration and plants from pollution and general destruction. Though the government of Botswana has clearly stated that their agreement with ReconAfrice requires the company to preserve in as far as possible the natural environment and will only allow exploration to be carried out through non-invasive means the indigenous people are sure that if the presence of oil or gas is confirmed drilling will inevitably take place. ReconAfrica has also stated that the project is in its early stages and they will listen to the affected communities, however, it is not the first time that fossil fuel companies have entered an African nation spouting the usual rhetoric that they will listen to local communities only to fence themselves in and begin the process of polluting and destroying the natural world. So we shall all have to keep an eye on this new project and make sure that they keep their promises.
War and Climate Change Exacerbates Food Insecurity for 45mn People
By the Chris Campbell 8th November 2022
Up to 205mn people are expected to face acute food insecurity and to be in need of urgent assistance in 45 countries, according to the World Food Programme and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s mid-year update on the global food crisis, published last month.
According to UN food agency forecasts 19 "hunger hotspots" are expected to mushroom across the globe from October of this year to January 2023 due to an increase in conflict and climate change. In six of these hotspots Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen food aid is critical to prevent widespread starvation and death. With conflict and organized violence playing an significant role in the production of acute hunger i.e. Russia and Ukraine account for around 30% of global wheat trade which is now experiencing increased disruption. A change felt in the western world by increased prices, attendance of food banks and hunger on the breadline. Whilst in developing nations dotted across the global it manifests through famine and hunger the likes of which few residents of the global North would be familiar. Yet, conflict alone is not the only driver of what could become one of the most devastating food crises in history. Extreme weather events caused by the extensive changes in our climate bring tropical storms which rip apart infrastructure and farmland, floods which wash away communities and take the lives of domesticated animals relied on for food, droughts which dry out crops and makes land uninhabitable. All these events force people to migrate and flood into cities in search of food which is oftentimes expensive leaving many malnourished and vulnerable. The most significant example of which is visible at this very moment in the Horn of Africa where drought has persisted for the past two years and is likely to worsen due to a looming unprecedented fifth relatively dry rainy season.
Can India Balance Economic Ambitions with Eco-friendly Lifestyles
by Navin Singh Khadka 9th November 2022
India's recent Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submission which outlines how they plan to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change not only lists the usual methods such as reducing the volume of carbon emissions per unit of GDP and cutting down use of fossil fuels to generate electricity but also focuses on sustainable lifestyles. "LiFE - Lifestyle for Environment" is the new vision proposed by the Indian government having first been brought into the public sphere by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Cop26. Yet, a year on and experts say that the grand plans of the LiFE commitments are falling short as the increase in consumption continues to drive economic growth and work against the sustainable plans of the government.
Whilst most of the world is facing recession India has an estimated growth of 7% this year with private consumption forming around 55% of GDP. This level of consumption is expected to continue growing for the foreseeable future which calls into question the positive effects of the LiFE campaign when Eugenie Dugoua, an assistant professor in environmental economics at the London School of Economics, says such campaigns aren't sustainable in the long term. Though changes in the consumption behaviors of the general population are important it cannot be a stand-alone policy as "governments need to focus on structural change in the energy, transportation and agricultural systems". This statement could not be truer for a nation like India whose biggest source of carbon emissions comes from the energy sector. Projections suggest that over this decade India will see the world's biggest jump in energy demand, however, energy use on a per capita basis is well under half of the global average. With some experts believing that lifestyle changes are possible even with a continued rise in consumption the LiFE campaign is geared towards nudging 1.5 billion Indians to make gradual changes towards a circular economy.
The sustainability message is not only confined to India as it is also geared towards the West's 'use and throw' approach with the reminder that the new slogan should be 'reduce, reuse and recycle'. However, we hope that India takes its own advice as:
India generated 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019-20, of which only 12% was recycled and 20% burned.
Three out of every four river monitoring stations in India posted alarming levels of heavy toxic metals.
Air pollution is a major concern in northern Indian states.
A World Bank report released earlier this year ranks India among the countries that have the worst environmental health.
Why is it so Taboo to Discuss the Grave Impact of a Growing Population?
by John Vidal 15th November 2022
In a Guardian opinion piece a former environment editor John Vidal spoke out on one of the most controversial topics for discussion related to the climate crisis… overpopulation.
The coincidence of Cop27 and the global population topping 8bn in the same week is a fluke few could have expected but has produced a symbolic milestone on the timeline of climate breakdown. Yet as Cop27 got underway the links between the inexorable growth in human numbers and rising global temperatures were tenuous at best. Which is all the more surprising as numerous regions are already at risk of famine and energy poverty and the pressure on global resources is already acute. The fact that several billion more people are expected to be alive in 70 years time who will require more resources and produce more emissions makes it all the more shocking that world leaders continue to sidestep this vital issue. Their hesitation is understandable in part due to a history of violent governments forcibly sterilizing vulnerable people or because of the links between population control and the doctrine of authoritarian regimes and far-right extremists. Not to mention the central place fertility takes in various faiths and cultures around the world who would take offense at or be unwilling to consider a more limited approach to reproduction. Orthodox western intellectual arguments have always relied on the argument that the number of people matters far less than the way in which they use natural resources and that consumption inequality is the real problem. For example, one American family with two adults and two children using large vehicles and multiple technical appliances will produce far more emissions than a family with two adults and four children living in rural Mongolia. Though such belief systems are true, "the wealthiest 10% consume about 20 times more energy overall than the bottom 10%" such facts also provide an excuse for countries to focus on making climate breakdown all about consumption and allows them to avoid acting on issues surrounding population reduction.
The key to carefully reducing population does not however lie in extreme measures. In fact, it is quite the opposite as Malala Yousafzai stated clearly "when girls are educated and when they stay in schools they get married later in their lives, then they have less children and that helps us to reduce the impacts of climate change that the population increase brings,” she said. “If every girl was able to exercise her sexual and reproductive health and rights through quality education and had access to modern contraception, it could reduce total emissions." Therefore, it is important that governments act to increase access to education and family planning both at home and abroad. For example, British contributions to UNFPA, the UN's population agency, is estimated to "have helped to prevent the deaths of about 250,000 mothers and children, 14.6 million unintended pregnancies and 4.3 million unsafe abortions". The traditional approach of the two seperate camps, overpopulation v. consumption, must be rejected and instead we must utilize a more comprehensive approach whereby we take into account both arguments whilst recognizing the inequalities which contribute to an expanding population.
Ethics of Afforestation Splits Welsh Village
by Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu 6th November 2022
In 2021 the Welsh government formally adopted afforestation targets in an effort to reach its net-zero goals by 2050. "It aims to plant 43,000 hectares of mixed woodland in Wales by 2030 to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere — rising to 180,000 hectares by 2050". For many such aims are admirable and it would be a struggle to find a negative in amongst the plans. Yet, afforestation is creating a battleground in one small Welsh village Cwrt-y-cadno in Carmarthenshire. As the Welsh government offers grants and funding schemes to entice farmers and landowners to plant trees the Foresight Sustainable Forest Company is also looking to seize the opportunity and has set its sights on Cwrt-y-cadno. Foresight originally applied for planning permission to plant on 60 hectares of land, the total area has since been scaled back to 42.5 hectares after backlash from residents over the introduction of a non-native species could damage local habitats, food production and their way of life. After the company laid out plans to plant conifers, an outside species, critics complained that this would threaten biodiversity and have instead made demands that only native broadleaves should be planted. Opposition to the project has come from across Welsh society but has been backed in the majority by farmers who are concerned that they could be priced out of good quality land by wealthy companies in a debate that has climbed as far as the Welsh parliament with the affairs committee since publishing a report on the risks posed to family farms. Other concerns over the project included the threats posed to Welsh language, culture, heritage and community as well as to the ancient practice of upland sheep farming. However, the Welsh government has defended its efforts to tackle climate change and solidified its commitment to only allow projects to move forward when they can demonstrate that they meet the high standards set out by the schemes.
The increased interest in planting on Welsh land has come from asset managers jumping on the boom in sales linked to carbon stores in trees that are used to meet climate goals. Carbon credit schemes are used by companies to compensate for their emissions and the demand from such schemes has contributed to the 48% increase in the price per plantable hectare of land between 2020-2021 in the UK. Yet, carbon offsetting is not without its critics as many green campaigners view such projects as just another form of greenwashing which allows them to avoid addressing their own outputs. Richard Kelly, co-head of Foresight has denied claims of greenwashing and has instead followed Woodland Carbon Code guidelines, paid farmers a premium above agricultural value and has launched a forestry skills training programme. Though critics of the tree planting projects are not opposed to planting trees it is important that it's "the right tree in the right place, and it has to be for the right effect".
"With Rising Water Scarcity, Women Become More Vulnerable to Gender Based Violence"
by Abigael Kima 6th November 2022
In an insightful opinion piece for the Independent Abigael Kima sheds light on the everyday struggles experienced by women and girls in Isiolo County, northern Kenya. As drought takes hold after two years of no rain and high temperatures households have seen their livestock numbers decimated and pastoralist communities which once depended on their animals as a source of income to put food on the table, educate their children and buy water are now finding themselves unable to meet such basic needs.
Water has become one of the most difficult and dangerous resources to access as local wells dry up and women are forced to walk long distances in sweltering heat for daily water supplies. Those wells which do remain are deep and surrounded by quicksand with no living vegetation left to hold the earth in place. This has led to devastating consequences such as a young man being buried alive in a collapsed well. Water scarcity has also led to women becoming increasingly vulnerable to gender-based violence. Long droughts have caused domestic conflicts as women lack the water to clean the house, clothes and their families. Yet more shocking are the cases of rape becoming rampant meaning women are now being forced to head to water sources at midnight in order to avoid long queues with their daughters. To mention nothing of the dangers of being out in the open bush at night.
The climate crisis has pushed communities beyond their ability to adapt causing widespread malnutrition and even forcing school feeding programs to stop leaving many children only able to access one meal per day. Abigael observed long caravans of migrants, forced to leave their now unlivable homes, which is now causing a ripple effect across the economy. The remaining livestock is being sold for exorbitant prices with milk doubling in price compared to pre-drought levels. "Diversification options are limited. Farmers are already struggling to practice agriculture on irrigated lands and most other potential livelihoods depend on a stable climate". As people across Kenya and the wider African region suffer from the worst consequences of climate change yet, can only be held accountable for 0.5% of historical emissions and less than 4% of global emissions today, the human tragedy and intolerable injustice of the climate crisis is coming into sharp focus across Africa.
The Long Road Ahead for Brazil's President Lula
by Michael Stott & Michael Pooler 3rd November 2022
Brazil’s new president-elect, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has entered office at a pivotal moment for the Amazon rainforest. After years of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro's deforestation policies in the name of economic development, Lula has pledged to halt destruction of the Amazon rainforest and restore Brazil's standing as an international climate leader. Amazon destruction hit a 13 year record in 2021 and now Lula plans to turn back the clock with the aid of Marina Silva, the internationally renowned former environment minister, who reconciled with Lula after years of discord. After convincing Lula to toughen up his manifesto promises and commit himself to the issues surrounding climate change, forest protection, biodiversity and indigenous peoples the incoming government is now aiming for "zero deforestation" and will reinstate Silva to her previous position as environment minister.
The scale of the task at hand is one few would envy. Every day an area of rainforest the size of 2,000 football pitches is razed and deforestation has accelerated in recent months as land-grabbers try to maximize profits before the new government cracks down. Environmental budget cuts taken by the Bolsonaro government have empowered sectors and illegal activities which are damaging for indigenous people and forest protection and given a lot of economic power to the most backward elements in agribusiness. This will inevitably bring further difficulties for Lula's new government and make his policies of zero illegal deforestation, though credible, impossible to achieve even within the next decade. "Prosecuting illegal loggers and miners in the vast Amazon area has proven notoriously difficult. Only a fraction of offenders serve prison time, and the number of environmental fines levied has plunged under Bolsonaro".
In a nation built on contrast the divisions between progress and backwardness are heavily entrenched. Yet, progress could bring Brazil increased economic prosperity if they boost productivity from existing farmland and harness their natural resources for good i.e. ecotourism, instead of destroying one of their greatest assets. The possibilities for Brazil are endless with accessible clean energy and the opportunity to shift to a bio-economy. The nation could become a powerhouse in the future if only they learn to protect and value their natural resources such as the Amazon rainforest.
UN Biodiversity Summit Last Chance for Nature
by Helen Briggs & Victoria Gill 23rd November 2022
December's UN Biodiversity Summit will bring together 200 countries in Montreal, Canada, to agree on a landmark deal to safeguard nature. Unlike previous events which have focused on saving rare species or protecting certain ecosystems, this summit is geared towards sustaining the natural world on a much larger scale. On Wednesday, Natural England and various other government agencies came together to preemptively set out their visions for restoring nature. This meeting was taken in the hope that ensuring a healthy climate will secure clean water and food supplies in the future.
The Global Biodiversity Framework which attending nations will be looking to contribute to once again this year is the nature equivalent of the Paris Climate Agreement which currently includes key ambitions for biodiversity:
Turning 30% of the Earth's lands and seas into protected areas by 2030
Ensuring that, by 2050, a "shared vision of living in harmony with nature is fulfilled"
Eliminating billions of dollars of environmentally-damaging government subsidies and restoring degraded ecosystems.
After the somewhat disappointing and lackluster outcomes of Cop27 with the establishment of the climate change fuelled loss and damage fund being one of the few notable exceptions few are convinced of how effective Cop summits are for the natural world especially as the 1.5° target slips from view. Though the UK government has committed to the goal of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 according to the Wildlife Trust little progress has been made to this aim. To date just 3% of land and 8% of the sea are effectively protected by 2022. The UK government has also failed to set timely targets on nature required by the Environment Act. This UN Biodiversity Summit will be key to pushing not just the UK but nations around the globe to meet nature targets after spending years without set aims to halt extinctions and reverse the worldwide loss of nature due to Covid-19 this is our time to make real change.
Just Stop Oil Activists Halt M25 Protests
by BBC 12th November 2022
Just Stop Oil protests have become a common sight and source of news in the UK over recent months. Their M25 motorway protest blocked one of Britain's busiest roads for four days at the beginning of this month leading to 58 arrests and stirring up plenty of media controversy. The protests took place as part of a wider effort to force the UK government to halt new licenses for exploration of oil and other fossil fuels in the UK. However, Just Stop Oil has decided to stop motorway protests for the time being and give the UK government a chance to change its policies, though, they have made clear that such protests may still be a possibility in the future. This decision will be a welcome reprieve for the police who have drained their resources whilst handling the extremely dangerous protests which have already injured a police motorcyclist who collided with two lorries during a rolling roadblock.
Though the methods of Just Stop Oil leave something to be desired the reasoning behind their protests is more than sound. With spokesmen providing warning and guidance to the UK government and PM to be mindful of not only their environmental policies but also their presence in the international climate sphere. With the group being led by activists from Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain they cannot be faulted for their understanding of the climate crisis. Rory Kennedy, co-founder of the US-based Climate Emergency Fund, which funds Just Stop Oil, has made clear that the group's activities will continue to forge ahead with protests until the UK government commitments to fossil fuels have changed. It is expected that such protests will provoke further condemnation in political circles with public figures such as Suella Braverman continuing to spout her usual rhetoric that "disruption is a threat to our way of life" whilst protesters continue to appear in courts attempting to defend their protests and activism.
Solar Power - A Stepping-Stone To A Brighter Future
by Kate Martin 2nd November 2022
Today the sight of solar panels on the roofs of homes, universities and even businesses is becoming increasingly common. Yet, many remain confused by how solar panels work and continue to feel discouraged from introducing them into their energy supply chain due to the high price tag associated with installation. Uptake has been gradual, and their effectiveness remains questionable in countries such as the UK where temperamental weather patterns are at play. However, in nations and regions that experience steady sunshine, solar panels can provide green energy, sustainable jobs, additional income from power sold back into the national grid, and access to electricity for remote communities who were previously living off grid.
To keep reading this paper click the link.
How Bricks Made From Milk Cartons Can Help Typhoon Victims
by Business Insider 3rd November 2022
One of the world's largest carton manufacturers is trying to reclaim some of the 192 billion containers it makes every year. It's working with Thai school children to turn milk cartons into bricks and roofing sheets that can benefit victims of natural disasters.
Click the link to watch the full video.
Pico Analytics Sustainability Spotlight!
by Kate Martin 25th November 2022
This section of our Newsletter is where we here at Pico Analytics shine a spotlight on one of those businesses, initiatives, positive news stories or people that are paving the way for sustainability and a more eco-friendly future. In this edition we wanted to honor one of the strongest climate activists, political leaders and role models for young women today…. Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley.
This formidable politician is not only the first female prime minister of Barbados but has become one of the most respected and influential climate leaders in the world. After her impassioned speech at Glasgow Cop26 hit the headlines, the world finally found out more about her history spending years campaigning against pollution, climate change and deforestation, all the while turning her small island nation into a frontrunner in the global environmental movement. She is this year's Champion of the Earth for Policy Leadership after already having set out plans to phase out fossil fuels in Barbados by 2030 through the use of solar panels and electric vehicles. She has also overseen a national strategy to plant more than 1 million trees which should stabilize food security and build resilience to climate change. Not content with her actions at home Ms Mottley has also strode onto the international stage with a gravitas few could aspire to and become a figurehead for small-island states and developing nations in the fight to secure 'loss and damage' funds from wealthier countries; a battle she has now fought and won. With her unique oratory skills and commitment to the climate movement Mia Mottley has secured herself a page in the history books as a political leader who not only stood up to those countries and companies who are destroying our natural world and jeopardizing the future of island nations such as Barbados but also as a female icon who proves to young women and girls that you can do anything and be anyone you aspire to be. That includes taking an active part in the climate movement and ensuring people listen to what you have to say about related matters. To watch Mia Mottley deliver a speech is to feel both emboldened and hopeful for our future. To know that she is now rightly recognized as a key political figure of our age not only provides comfort but inspires us all as global citizens to unite and fight climate change in the same forceful, justifiable and unflinchingly direct and positive manner. Her focus in this area is resolutely clear, her ambitious are undoubtedly achievable and her desire for rapid, tangible change must be match by all nations, their governments and inhabitants if we are to avoid the climatic disaster that we will all, sooner or later, ultimately face the dire, terrifying consequences of.
