This is a blog post from Julian Gerth, Atlas' Community Lead, that headed to COP29 on behalf of Atlas!
When I think about climate change, I realize that phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to sustainable energy sources is crucial. However, I also recognize the equally significant role of the agricultural industry.
Our global food system is the leading cause of environmental degradation. About five billion hectares, or 40% of the world’s land area, is used for agriculture, with 2/3 of it dedicated to cattle grazing and 1/3 for crops. I've learned that livestock supply chains contribute around 14.5% of all human greenhouse gas emissions globally, along with a staggering 65% of nitrous oxide emissions, which have a global warming potential 296 times greater than carbon dioxide. Additionally, 30% of methane emissions come from enteric sources, primarily from cattle raised for beef and dairy.
I understand that a drastic transformation of agriculture and our global food system is urgent. Earth Observation Engineer Steven George emphasizes that even if we stopped using fossil fuels today, emissions from our food system would still exceed the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 and 2 degrees. Our carbon budget for decarbonizing society assumes that a major transformation of our food system is already underway, as highlighted by the IPCC.
I believe that transitioning to a global food system that prioritizes plant-based diets is essential for achieving climate justice worldwide.
Regarding climate finance, it is obvious that nations, organizations, and corporations responsible for pollution and environmental degradation have a duty to support those who suffer the most from their actions. Unfortunately, this responsibility is often neglected. Currently, 69% of climate finance is provided through loans, which only deepens existing disparities and worsens debt crises in vulnerable countries.
After an extended day at COP29, wealthy nations agreed to increase their climate finance proposal from $100 billion to $300 billion per year. However, this amount still falls short of what is truly needed. The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) calls for around $1 trillion annually in public grant funding for developing nations, addressing their evolving needs. This funding needs to be allocated to mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage efforts, as there is currently an imbalance where most resources go toward mitigation.
The Doomsday Clock now reads "90 seconds to midnight," a clear indication of the imminent irreversible consequences we face. If the insatiable greed of wealth, resources, power, and influence remains unchecked, humanity may soon encounter a dark age. We must take action to stop this madness, which can be realized if civil society unites to develop a global governance system that enforces international laws and ensures our rights are upheld everywhere. Only through this collective effort can we secure a sustainable future for our planet.