Talks about climate change can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, so addressing the issue in movies can help reach a broader public and raise awareness among people that might otherwise not be interested in learning about this crucial topic.

From older documentaries to the latest blockbusters, here is a list of the best climate change movies to watch this year.

1. Don’t Look Up (2021)

First on our list of the best climate change movies is Don’t Look Up starring Leonardo DiCarpio. The record-breaking Netflix film tells the story of a science professor and his younger student discovering a fast-approaching comet that is set to reach the Earth and will likely destroy it. Together, they need to convince the government as well as the public of the existential threat and the catastrophic consequences it may have on humanity. However, the task is more difficult than they think when no one takes them seriously.

The team struggles to break through the craziness of social networks, political inaction, and lack of media attention. Indeed, the comet approaching the planet is an ambivalent metaphor for climate change and its disastrous effects. The film also serves as a reminder that politicians are clearly not doing enough and if they don’t act quickly, it will be too late to save our planet. 

See also: ‘Don’t Look Up’: Leonardo Dicaprio’s Advice for Tackling Climate Change

2. Princess Mononoke (1997)

Despite being released 25 years ago, the Japanese movie Princess Mononoke remains one of the most beloved and relevant movies about climate change. On a journey to find the cure for a demonic curse, the protagonist Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. 

This hard-hitting political anime depicts the consequences of destroying nature and humanity’s inability to live in harmony, sending a strong message that, sadly, is still very much relevant today. 

3. The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)

Next on our list is a remake of the 1951 classic science-fiction film about a human-like alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who land on Earth. The alien identifies himself as Klaatu and says he has come to save the planet. Despite seeing him as a threat, Dr Helen Benson, who was summoned to a US military facility, decides to facilitate his escape. However, she learns that he intends to eradicate humans from Earth. Why? Because of human activities and climate change.

In the 21st-century version, humans are destroying the Earth’s environment, and the aliens have come to save the planet and its species, with the exception of humankind. The movie does a great job at shedding light on the damage humanity has done and continues to do, while delivering an urgent warning of what the future holds for us.

4. Before The Flood (2016)

One of the best climate change movies is Before the Flood, a collaboration between actor and Earth Alliance co-founder Leonardo DiCaprio and National Geographic. Taking viewers around the world, the documentary features poignant accounts of how different stakeholders are affected by climate change through deforestation, rising sea levels and other human activities.

The documentary calls for world leaders to fight for a more sustainable future and arms viewers with solutions they can implement into their lives, from reducing meat consumption to voting for leaders who will initiate positive environmental change.

5. Eating Our Way to Extinction (2021)

Next up is a documentary narrated and executive produced by Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet. This enlightening movie explores how the global food industry is hastening climate change through a host of unsustainable practices.

Through undercover footage and the testimony of indigenous peoples, Eating Our Way to Extinction will undoubtedly change your perception of food and help you understand how the modern industry is compromising food security.

6. 2040 (2019)

If you’re looking for something less grim, 2040 is a refreshingly optimistic pick. Rather than focusing on the urgency of problems, this solution-oriented documentary depicts the story of an Australian dad who imagines what life could be like for his four-year-old daughter in the future.

Much of the film is dedicated to highlighting the technological breakthroughs and creative alternatives to tackle the challenges of climate change – from renewable energy like rooftop solar to regenerative agricultural practices and the versatile use of seaweed to fight the looming issue of food insecurity. 

See also: 8 Books About Climate Change and Sustainability to Read in 2022

7. Burning (2021)

Academy-Award winning Australian filmmaker Eva Orner takes a look at the unprecedented, catastrophic and deadly Australian bushfires of 2019-2020 known as ‘Black Summer’.

Narrating the story from the perspective of those directly involved and affected by the fires as well as activists and scientists, the documentary exposes the Australian government’s inaction and the irreversible damage that these catastrophic events left behind, shining a light on the global issue of climate change.

8. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

This 2004 masterpiece by Roland Emmerich tells the story of climatologist Jack Hall, whose research highlighted the possibility of a superstorm developing and setting off catastrophic natural disasters across the world. Similarly to how DiCaprio’s character is treated in Don’t Look Up, Hall is faced with judgment as UN officials and world leaders ignore his warnings of a looming tragedy. 

The Day After Tomorrow depicts a catastrophic climate event that is not as far from reality as we might think. In the movie, the Atlantic Ocean grinds to a halt, throwing the Earth into an ice age. As evidence of the ocean’s water-circulation system weakening increases, we cannot exclude that something similar might actually happen in the future.

9. An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

An Inconvenient Truth is one of the seminal and best environmental films ever made. The film recounts former US Vice President Al Gore’s campaign in 2000 to educate people about global warming, making the documentary stand out in its experimental narration. This lecture-like presentation on climate change, Gore claims, has been delivered to worldwide audiences more than 1,000 times.

Apart from detailed graphs, flow charts and visuals, the slide show also collates personal anecdotes such as Gore’s college education with an early climate expert. The film concludes with Gore stressing how “each one of us is a cause of global warming, but [….] the solutions are in our hands.” 

10. David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)

In what David Attenborough calls his “witness statement” for the environment, A Life on Our Planet guides viewers through the naturalist’s 60-year career and demonstrates the devastating changes our planet has experienced in his lifetime. Originally released on Netflix in 2020, the 85-minute documentary presents some pretty grim predictions for the future should humanity continue on its current path, including a sixth mass extinction and a 4°C global temperature rise that will render large parts of the Earth uninhabitable.

Atypical of his usual nature documentaries, Attenborough takes a more critical tone in Our Planet, condemning humans’ treatment of the natural world – which makes his message of hope all the more effective, as he discusses solutions for combating the climate crisis at the conclusion of the film.

See also: David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet’ Review

This article was originally written and published by Earth.Org and is republished here as part of an editorial partnership.

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A Swedish city has recently completed a revolutionary project by building a skyscraper fully out of wood, which, unlike cement constructions, will capture nearly nine million kilograms of carbon dioxide throughout its lifetime.

According to UN Habitat, cities consume 78 percent of the world’s energy and produce more than 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental issues related to urban areas and most of it is caused by heating systems, traffic, and construction sites.

In order to reverse the trend, sustainable buildings have become a crucial part of the equation. Several cities have designed outstanding architectural masterpieces notorious for having a minimal environmental impact, from Sydney to Shanghai, Milan to Copenhagen, and from Toronto to Mexico City. 

One in particular stands out: the newly completed 75 metre-high Sara Cultural Centre in Skellefteå, a small urban centre located in the heart of the Bothnian Bay. The 20-storey building, named after a popular Swedish author, is home to six theatre stages, a library, two art galleries, a conference centre and a hotel.

What makes it unique is the fact that the centre was built entirely of wood – 12,000 cubic metres to be precise. It is among the tallest wooden towers in the world, second only to another Scandinavian masterpiece, the multi-purpose structure completed in 2019 in Brumunddal, Norway.

However, the centre is not the only construction of its kind in the Swedish city, which for centuries has relied upon the abundance of timber in nearby forests to construct its buildings. 

Cement constructions have an enormous environmental footprint, while wooden buildings do exactly the opposite: they sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it forever. Architects behind the project claim the centre will capture nearly nine million kilograms of carbon dioxide throughout its lifetime.

Timber has by far the lowest impact on the environment compared to all other commercial materials and it also has great thermal insulation properties, which are useful in preventing heat energy from escaping.

To further reduce its environmental impact, the building has also been equipped with highly efficient solar panels that will power it and store excess energy in the basement. 

While it was first ruled out for fears related to fire outbreaks, timber has been found to perform well in fire after extensive blast testing was conducted in the US. A study published in 2019 also confirmed its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide emissions, demonstrating that one cubic metre of CTL wood sequesters approximately one tonne of CO2.

Lastly, constructing buildings with CTL is a much faster and less labour-intensive process that is also ultimately responsible for minimal waste generation. Given its remarkable characteristics, cross-laminated timber (CLT) has quickly spread across the world, with several European countries and most recently also many US states using it in the construction of sustainable residential buildings.

Of course, mass timber must be coupled with climate-smart forestry. And while experts believe that there is enough wood to use for the construction of buildings around the world, it is imperative that we take good care of our forests too.

(Featured Image: Courtesy of Ted Logart/imagebank.sweden.se)

This article was originally written and published by Earth.Org and is republished here as part of an editorial partnership.

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See also: CIC-Zero Carbon Park: Hong Kong’s First Carbon Neutral Building

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As younger generations are already experiencing increasingly worsening effects of global warming, with some reports projecting that children will experience three times as many climate disaster than their grandparents, it is key that we educate them about the causes and solutions as well as ways in which we can help change and protect the planet.

Whether they will be inspired to become climate activists or simply become more climate and environmentally conscious, these are our selection of great climate change books for kids. 

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (1971)

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The classic Dr. Seuss story a fantastic introduction for children to learn about sustainability and environmental protection. The beloved yet important book talks about taking the Earth and its natural resources for granted through the eyes of Once-ler and The Lorax. The Lorax is a small creature who speaks on behalf of the trees and warns Once-ler not to make ‘thneeds’, a knitted object that resembles a sweater, with the Truffula trees.

Throughout this story, readers explore the concepts of greed, deforestation and other unsustainable practices that are currently driving rapid climate change. The Lorax teaches kids to treat our planet with kindness and to stand up and speak up for others through climate advocacy. The books is also printed on recycled paper, offering parents a bonus opportunity to introduce the topic of recycling.

Get the book here

The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole (2010)

Ms. Frizzle and The Magic School Bus is well-loved and celebrated book series that have taken generations of children on exciting and educational trips to outer space, under the sea,  different time periods and even inside the human body. On this particular adventure, Ms Frizzle’s class travels all around the world to witness the greatest impacts of climate change – the melting ice glaciers in the Arctic to rising sea levels over the ocean. 

This comic-style book explains the concepts of global warming , greenhouse gases and effect (which at one point, the students in the book transformed into UV rays) in simply yet effective illustration and description. The story then moves on towards renewable energies and other green solutions to climate change, encouraging young readers to take climate action. 

Get the book here

Our House is on Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save the Planet by Jeannette Winter (2019)

The title of this picture book is inspired by young Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg’s iconic speech at the World Economic Forum in 2019, who was calling for on all global leader to act urgently in response to the climate crisis. Through simple yet moving illustrations by Jeanette Winter, explore how Greta learned about the climate change crisis, what she has done to take action and how she tells the world that children, like her, can help change the world. 

Get the book here

What is Climate Change? by Gail Herman (2018)

What is Climate Change? is an informative and easy-to-understand book by Gail Herman. The author looks at this topic not just as an environmental issue, but also from a social and political perspective. Herman breaks down what climate change is and shows both sides of the debate, whether it is actually caused by humans or just the Earth’s natural process, so young readers can form a well-rounded idea of the issue.

Learn about the different roles that humans and the environment play in the climate crisis and what the future could look like if we were all more conscious of our actions.

Get the book here

A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids: Understanding Climate Change and What You Can Do About It by Julie Hall (2007)

This book is an empowering and inspirational message to kids around the world as it shares an important message about how they can get involved in the fight against global warming. A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids contains fascinating scientific facts, hands-on activities and guides for young readers, families and schools to get involved in the green or sustainable initiatives within their communities.

Author Julie Hall firmly believes in raising awareness of global warming among young people, instead of protecting or hiding them from the truth, to ensure that they have the opportunity to make appropriate lifestyle changes. 

Get the book here

Under the Weather by Tony Bradman (2012)

One of the top climate change books for kids is Under the Weather, a collection of short stories aimed at older children and pre-teens that showcase the various effects of climate change, from rising sea levels to changes in animal behaviour and habits. These stories act both as a warning and inspiration in regards to show how climate change has affected people around the world and our collective response to it.

Covering wide ranging cities and countries, the book illustrations the impacts spanning from Siberia and Canada, to Australia and UK, to Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Though there are no illustrations, the book is packed with British humour that help make discussions on climate change digestible.

Get the book here

A Planet Full of Plastic by Neal Layton (2019)

In this storybook about plastic pollution, Neal Layton creatively explains where plastic comes from and why it can be dangerous for animals and humans. This guide shows how dependent humans are on plastic but at the same time it shares inspiring ways to recycle and replace plastic with better materials. 

A Planet Full of Plastic reminds us that our world is drowning in plastic but it also offers us hope by teaching us many ways in which we can make a change. 

Get the book here

What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Jess French (2019)

This lively educational book for young audiences explores everything to do with waste, from trash and leftover food to factory gases and old electronics. Readers can learn about how our actions affect the planet and become more conscious about waste management. The best part is that the book teaches kids what people around the world are doing to keep our beautiful planet clean and it also gives ideas as to how to get involved with recycling.

Get the book here

See also: 10 Inspiring Environmental Books for Kids

This article was originally written and published by Earth.Org and is republished here as part of an editorial partnership.

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The recent pledge, which was made on 26 January 2022 in partnership with #StartSmall, a philanthropic initiative started by Twitter and Square founder, Jack Dorsey, will go to 18 organisations based in both the US and the Caribbean, which makes a lot of sense considering Rihanna’s home country of Barbados. 

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Never one to shy away from speaking up on important issues and advocating for society’s most vulnerable, Rihanna and CLF have been working to move the needle on sustainability in inspiring and different ways. Here are a few you may not know of:

Rihanna sees climate justice as an intersectional, interconnected and international issue

CLF’s latest donation will empower and equip a group of climate justice leaders from nearly every state in the US, with a focus on women, youth, Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and people of colour to accelerate climate justice for those at greatest risk.

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“At the Clara Lionel Foundation, much of the work is rooted in the understanding that climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally, with communities of color and island nations facing the brunt of climate change,” Rihanna said in a statement. “This is why CLF prioritizes both climate resilience and climate justice work across the U.S. and Caribbean.” 

For this superstar, climate justice is all about the short and long term

Rihanna isn’t interested in building just another philanthropy foundation. Through CLF, Rihanna aims to build and create innovative ways that not only provide immediate support in adverse situations but prepare communities for and withstanding disasters.

In 2019 alone, CLF invested $1.8 million toward emergency response and climate resilience efforts, while their Climate Resilience Initiative has committed over $10 million in six countries toward enabling high risk regions to endure extreme weather events. 

She’s been pushing for the Caribbean to become the world’s first climate-resilient zone

CLF currently has nine projects focusing on climate resilience, a crucial pillar of the organisation’s work as Rihanna acknowledges climate disasters “are growing in frequency and intensity”, and disproportionately impact communities of colour and island nations.

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CLF’s projects range from school and health clinic infrastructure development to gender-integrated emergency response planning, with “the hope that these initiatives can be replicated and scaled for other high-risk regions that face extreme weather events.”

For Rih Rih, sustainability goes beyond philanthropy with steps by Fenty to be more earth-conscious

When she’s not accepting awards for being a National Hero by her native Barbados, or snagging Grammys, the good Bad Girl is looking into ways to make Fenty Skin more reusable and recyclable.

The brand has taken steps to make excess packaging a thing of the past, as well as ensuring required boxes are recyclable. Certain Fenty products can be refilled, and PCR material, or post-consumer recycled material, is being integrated into their tubes, jars and bottles wherever possible. 

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They also have gone to lengths to break down each product part by part so you can see how their products can be recycled. Shipping boxes are also fully recyclable too.

She’s used negative experiences to create better, most sustainable products

Motivated by bad experiences with skincare products, Rihanna created Fenty Skin to be free of harsh ingredients, as well as vegan and gluten free. The line follows the high standards of the European Union, meaning over 1,400 ingredients are banned from their cosmetics. Their website also lists all the ingredients that comprise their products for greater transparency.

As climate change and climate justice are critical issues that impact the entire world, it’s all the more encouraging to see a celebrity of Rihanna’s status bringing awareness and funding to the current situation. 

Learn more about Rihanna’s climate resilience work through the Clara Lionel Foundation.

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See also: Coldplay’s 2022 World Tour Will Be Net-Zero

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Blanchett played the love interest of Leonardo DiCaprio in Don’t Look Up, which also starred Hollywood heavyweights Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Jonah Hill. Although her character in the movie didn’t care much for climate change, the 52-year-old Australian actress is actually a long-time environmentalist in real life.

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In 2007, she launched the Who On Earth Cares campaign with the Australian Conservation Foundation, and with her new Climate of Change podcast, she will be interviewing high-profile guests including authors and thought leaders in the green economy on the incredible work that’s being done to tackle the climate crisis.

The Climate of Change podcast will be co-hosted by Blanchett and climate entrepreneur and activist Danny Kennedy, who is CEO of New Energy Nexus and MD of the California Clean Energy Fund. As for its soundtrack, it will be exclusively provided by Grammy Award-winning electronic artist, Imogen Heap.

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“This podcast is a joyous extension of a long-standing friendship that all of us at Dirty Films have had with the wonderful Danny Kennedy,” said Blanchett. “Danny’s knowledge about and passion for climate solutions is infectious, and our experience developing this project with the folks at StoryHunter for Audible has been a shot in the arm – and has gone a long way to tempering our eco-anxiety.”

“We are thrilled to be working on such an exciting and important series as Climate of Change,” said Aurelie De Troyer, SVP, International English Content at Audible. “Podcasts are the perfect vehicle to educate and raise awareness of important issues and it’s an honor to collaborate with the extremely talented Cate and Danny on their first podcast.”

Climate of Change is Audible’s first major original climate change podcast series, and is produced by Blanchett’s Dirty Films in association with StoryHunter.

Be sure to set your reminders for Earth Day 2022, when we can finally tune into Climate of Change!

See also: ‘Don’t Look Up’: Leonardo DiCaprio’s Advice For Tackling Climate Change

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In the movie, which was released on Netflix on 24 December 2021, two scientists (Lawrence and DiCaprio) discover a comet headed straight for Earth. Panic-stricken, they try to warn everyone about the impending disaster, only to find that no one seems to care, least of all, Streep, who plays the U.S. president.

According to DiCaprio, the movie is “an analogy of modern day culture and our inability to hear and listen to scientific truth. There are some hard truths that these characters need to face, much like we do as a species on Earth.”

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He continued, “[Don’t Look Up] brings a mirror to our entire culture and how we deal with bad news, and whether us as a species can evolve to truly focus on what is ultimately the most important issue that’s ever faced humanity in the history of civilisation.”

That issue is climate change, and if you’re wondering what you can personally do about it, Don’t Look Up has partnered with an organisation called Count Us In to inspire people to take action.

We need to work together to end the climate crisis. #DontLookUp has partnered with @CountUsInSocial to bring together the steps we can take towards a safer planet. https://t.co/7Rx6qOmRf0 pic.twitter.com/EuJM4puuDU

— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) December 29, 2021

Don’t Look Up x Count Us In

“No comet, no problem?,” it reads on Count Us In‘s website. “Well, not really, because the climate crisis is here and the impact could be just as bad. It’s time to look up, listen to the scientists and start taking action.”

On Count Us In‘s website, you’ll find 12 simple steps on how to do just that:

1. Talk to friends
2. Keep politicians accountable
3. Switch to clean energy
4. Spark ideas at work
5. Eat more veggies
6. Cut food waste
7. Get around greener
8. Be kind to your mind
9. Use sun power
10. Make your money count
11. Save with LED lights
12. Insulate your home

Each of the steps are outlined in a clear and easy-to-understand way, with tips on how to execute them in real life. There’s even advice on how to discuss climate change (and emotions) with friends and family – in a way that won’t turn anyone off.

At the end of the day, industries and corporations (versus individuals) are the ones who should be taking more responsibility over climate change, but that’s not to say that we can’t all do our part – no matter how big or small.

So, why not take the first step by watching Don’t Look Up, and then come back to see if you can take a few more green steps for the planet?

Head to Count Us In to get more tips on how to talk about and fight climate change.

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See also: 8 Books About Climate Change and Sustainability To Read in 2022

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But don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve taken some of the most common terms in climate change jargon and broken it down for you:

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A gas in the Earth’s atmosphere that occurs naturally and is also created by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Of all the greenhouse gases emitted by humans, carbon dioxide is the primary one.

Carbon Footprint

The amount of CO2 generated by an individual or organisation. This can come from a multitude of activities, from consuming food to manufacturing goods. Carbon footprint can also refer to the generation of greenhouse gases in general, not just CO2.

Carbon Neutral

When the amount of CO2 released, or carbon emissions, into the atmosphere is balanced by the same amount being removed. 

Carbon Offsetting 

When richer companies, individuals or organisations pay less rich companies, individuals or organisations to cut their own greenhouse gases so they can offset their carbon emissions.

Climate Change

A pattern of change in the Earth’s weather patterns caused by humans and global warming. It’s also been called the greatest threat to humankind, by the World Health Organisation, which is not great, to say the least.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

A yearly meeting between the members of the UNFCCC to discuss progress in dealing with climate change. This was the 26th year the COP met, at what is nicknamed COP26.

See also: COP26: What Happens Now?

Deforestation

The act of purposefully removing forest areas for other uses like agriculture, urbanisation, fuel, and construction. Deforestation impacts ecosystems, weather patterns and the climate by displacing animals and organisms, and destroying trees which are critical for absorbing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. At this year’s COP26, world leaders promised to end deforestation by 2030.

See also: Good News: World Leaders Promise to End Deforestation By 2030

Fossil Fuels

A material made from the remains of dead plants and animals that humans burn for energy. Common examples of fossil fuels are coal, petroleum, gasoline, and propane. When you see the word “coal” or “gasoline”, you can interchange it with fossil fuel.

It’s important to note that while fossil fuels are readily available and easy to create energy from, they are very destructive to the environment as they release carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) when burnt, and they cannot be replenished or renewed (they will eventually run out).

Global Warming

A consistent increase in the Earth’s average temperature. Experts believe this increase is mainly caused by man-made greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

Natural or man-made gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet, creating what is called the greenhouse effect. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, and flourinated gases. 

Net Zero

When no carbon is emitted, nothing needs to be offset. 

See also: The Truth About… Carbon Offsets

Renewable Energy

Energy that occurs naturally and repeatedly in the environment, and can be used for human benefit. Typical examples include solar energy, wave energy, tide energy, wind energy, biomass energy.

Renewable Resource

Unlike coal or propane, a renewable resource is a natural resource that exists without any actions of humankind, and naturally replenishes itself over time. Common renewable resources include trees, air, wind and water.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

An international treaty (aka. an agreement) to address climate change. It has 197 members which is almost universal membership, and was formed in 1994.

Learn more about the UNFCCC

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Warming temperatures could be irreversibly changing the wine industry, both in terms of its taste and production. But before you freak out about what will happen to your beloved Shiraz, read on to find out exactly what this means – and what you can do about it. 

How climate change affects wine

The wine industry is pretty much at the mercy of the climate. Landscape, soil, temperature and rain all determine what grape varieties can be grown as well as the quality of the harvest. Grapes grow best in climates where temperatures during the growing season average 12-22°C. So, when the climate conditions are good, the harvest will be, too, and your wine will be even more delicious.

Wine producers used to be more worried about once-off extreme weather events destroying their vineyards, but now, there’s a less obvious, but more sinister concern – climate change. While producers have plans in place to protect their grapes against heavy rain and frost, what about long-term plans?

The issue of pesticides

Climate change could increase the frequency of severe weather and cause fewer winter frosts, which could encourage the spread of pests; while conventional wine vineyards use pesticides anyway, they’re really harmful to the soil and the environment, so using more would have even worse consequences. Organically-grown grapes cannot use any pesticides, so these vineyards would be worse off, unable to protect themselves from pests.

More generally, warming temperatures could impact the yield and quality of wine varieties. An example of how rising temperatures caused by climate change is already affecting vineyards can be seen in California, an area famous for its wine.

No water = no wine

While many growers are calling the hot climate in the US state the “sweet spot” for growing grapes, California experiences intense droughts and the snowpacks which store one-third of California’s water and supply reservoirs with a steady stream of water are shrinking due to little rain and warm weather. No water = no grapes = no wine. This year, California saw one of the worst droughts the region had seen in over 1,000 years, and it’s only predicted to get worse.

Droughts and high temperatures bring another threat: wildfires. Year after year, California breaks its own records for the largest wildfire season; in 2020, the wildfire season affected dozens of Napa Valley’s wineries.  

Outside the US, the 2019-20 bushfire season in Australia also affected wineries; some vineyards caught fire, and others experienced “smoke taint,” where grapes absorb chemicals from bushfire smoke. Smoke taint can cause wine to literally taste smoky, burnt and ashy. We like our meat smoky, not the wine it pairs with!

What about the taste?

Bear with us while we get technical for a sec: increasing temperatures from climate change lower acidity in grapes and increase sugar, which is turned into higher alcohol during fermentation by yeast. In the Rhône Valley in France, summer heat is increasing wine alcohol levels to 16%!

In terms of taste, wines are becoming “fuller-bodied, more alcoholic and riper in flavour.” This may not mean much to casual drinkers, but for wine aficionados, this will affect the wine’s subtle notes and aromas that add to wine’s appeal.

However, while some regions are suffering, others are happy to deal with more heat. Countries that used to be too cold to ripen grapes are now becoming perfect for it, like Germany, England, Norway and Sweden. This may sound great for these regions, but that’s actually pretty scary – climate climate is creating entirely new weather pattens in countries that aren’t used to them.

What we can do

Wine producers may need to relocate to cooler climates, or they can grow different, more heat-tolerant grapes (which can take a few years to get right). Or, wine producers can just accept that their wine will taste different, and hope for the best. 

As trivial as this all sounds, and while you may not be able to taste these subtle differences, entire regions have been built on their wine – thousands of jobs rely on it.

In 2017 in the US, it was calculated that the wine industry added US$219.9 billion to the local economy, while in Australia, it contributes around US$33 billion each year. Climate change could cause the collapse of these regions’ wine industries as producers move to colder regions.

This issue shows that climate change has the potential to affect our lives in ways we haven’t even considered – so if you needed yet another reason to take extra steps towards a greener lifestyle, this could be it.

A few simple steps that you can do everyday to fight climate change:

• Walk or use public transportation instead of a car/taxi
• Lower your meat consumption and eat more plant-based foods/vegetables
• Consume less energy by unplugging electronic devices when not in use

While these actions may seem small, they all add up! Be sure to spread the word, as climate change affects us all.

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Here are some of the major takeaways from COP26:

World Leaders Agreed To End Deforestation

Leaders from 110 countries pledged to end and reverse deforestation by 2030 in a massive deal that involves almost US$20 billion in funding. 

China, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, the US, Russia and the UK are some of the countries that have signed on to the Glasgow Leader’s Declaration on Forest and Land Use. Altogether, the agreement covers around 85% of the world’s forests. 

Countries Agreed to Cut Methane Emissions

More than 100 countries have agreed to cut their methane emissions by 30% by 2030, compared with 2020 levels. The Global Methane Pledge, whose signatories include the US, Japan and Canada, will tackle methane leaks from oil and gas wells, pipelines and livestock farming. 

This pledge is important, since most international climate summits usually focus mainly on carbon dioxide. However, methane is responsible for around 30% of global warming, making it an important gas to cut. 

Countries Debated Over the Use of Coal

Shockingly, The Glasgow Climate Pact is the first U.N. climate deal to explicitly mention coal and subsidies for fossil fuels. However, not everyone is happy about the deal because the language was watered down to allow for coal to continue being burnt; a preliminary draft of the agreement called on countries to “accelerate the phasing-out of coal and subsidies for fossil fuels.” Then, it urged countries to move away from “unabated coal” and “inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels.” Finally, China and India pushed for another change, saying that they would only agree to “phase-down unabated coal,” rather than “phase out.”

20 Countries Pledged to Stop Funding Overseas Fossil Fuel Projects

Before COP26, several countries had already promised to end funding for overseas coal projects, but this agreement, called the Clean Energy Transition, is the first to include oil and gas projects as well. Signatories include the UK, US, Canada, Italy, Switzerland and New Zealand, who have committed to “end new direct public support for the international unabated fossil fuel energy sector by the end of 2022, except in limited and clearly defined circumstances that are consistent with a 1.5°C warming limit and the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

We need to take this news with a pinch of salt, however: countries could use this agreement as an excuse to explore ways to harvest more fossil fuels domestically.

The US and China Agreed to Work Together on Climate Goals

In a surprise announcement, the US and China said that they would work together on an “agreement to ramp up their climate ambitions.” While the two biggest greenhouse gas emitters agreed on a range of issues, including methane emissions, the transition to clean energy and de-carbonisation. However, right now, the details are still vague. 

Countries Finally Agreed on Rules For Carbon Offset Markets

A carbon offset is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to compensate for emissions made somewhere else. The last two COP summits failed to reach an agreement on how to deal with these markets, but this time, negotiators managed to set rules for them, potentially allowing trillions of dollars to go into protecting forests, building renewable energy facilities and other climate change-fighting projects. 

The final deal, adopted by nearly 200 countries, will allow countries to partially meet their climate targets by buying carbon offsets. However, people have criticised carbon offsets, since it essentially allows users to keep emitting as usual, while claiming to be sustainable. 

COP26 Keeps Hopes of 1.5C Rise Alive

COP26 ended with nearly 200 countries agreeing to keep the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5C within reach.

The Glasgow Climate Pact, combined with increased ambition and action from countries, means that 1.5C remains in sight, but it will only be delivered with immediate action. All countries agreed to revisit and strengthen their current emissions targets to 2030, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), in 2022. 

Developed Countries Will Increase Funding For Developing Nations To Adapt to Climate Change

As far back as 2009, developed countries agreed to provide USD$100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer countries adapt to climate change. However, this goal hasn’t been met. At COP26, some countries announced new climate finance pledges, including:

• The US, who has pledged US$11.4 billion per year by 2024, as well as US$3 billion for climate adaptation
• The UK, who will double its funding to US$11.6 billion between 2020 and 2025
• Canada, who will double its climate finance support to US$5.3 billion between 2020 and 2025
• Japan, who will contribute US$10 billion in funding over the next five years for reducing emissions in Asia

These pledges have been estimated to total US$96 billion a year by the end of 2022, still slightly falling short of the original goal.  

Overall, COP26 didn’t quite deliver in terms of meaningful agreements. However, what’s done is done and world leaders need to be held accountable and take action on their promises.

COP27 will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022. For more info on COP26, visit ukcop26.org.

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1.

The first COP26 was held in Berlin

The first COP (Conference of the Parties) meeting was held in Berlin in 1995. It’s an annual global summit on climate change, and this year will be the 26th edition of the event. Since the first COP meeting, climate change has gone from being a seldom-discussed issue to one of the biggest priorities of our time. 

This year’s event is taking place from October 31 to November 12 in Glasgow, Scotland. It is the UK’s first time playing host, in partnership with Italy. It was originally planned for November 2020, but COVID-19 forced a reschedule. COP26 is considered to be the most important climate event since the 2015 Paris Agreement (COP21). All 197 member nations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are invited. 

Unlike the Oscars, there’s no overall winner, except the planet. The talks are ideally a way for countries to discuss and decide on climate goals. 

2.

Climate change is more urgent than ever before

While the COP meetings take place every year, this year’s is seen as being absolutely crucial, since climate scientists warn that time is quickly running out to secure necessary cuts on greenhouse gas emissions to avoid devastating climate change impacts over the next decades.

2021 has not been kind to millions of people around the world, following a summer of climate chaos – floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires are proof that we need to act urgently on climate change to avoid even more devastation. COP26 will be important in this aspect. 

In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by nearly all countries, who agreed to limit global warming to below 2°C, and preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels, by 2100. It was agreed at the time that the agreement would be reviewed every five years and that moment is COP26. Countries were encouraged to submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – their plans to cut emissions – by December 2020, but the pandemic delayed this for many countries. While many member nations have updated their NDCs, many others have not. 

The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that global temperatures will very likely rise above 1.5°C by 2040 at the latest, but could happen as early as 2030 to 2035. This report has put more pressure on countries to ensure that they make commitments to make deep cuts in emissions. 

The UN warned in September 2021 that countries’ revised targets were too weak and would leave the world on pace to warm 2.7°C by 2100. 

3.

It’s the year of the net-zero climate pledge

One of the major goals of COP26 is to ramp up countries’ current emissions-cutting targets to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This means that there is an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere. Essentially, no more greenhouse gases can be added to the atmosphere in any given year than is taken out. 

Some countries that have pledged to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2060 include Saudi Arabia, China, New Zealand, South Africa, the US and the UK.

It’s an ambitious target, but countries need to set roadmaps to achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible. 

4.

COP26 will be a carbon-neutral event

The event will meet the UNFCCC sustainability requirements for the delivery of COP26. 

Some of the sustainability initiatives include encouraging delegates to travel sustainably, using electric and low-emission vehicles and solar energy, catering that uses locally-sourced and in-season food items to minimise transportation emissions and incorporating recycled and reusable materials into design and material choices.

For unavoidable emissions, the event organisers will offset these through the purchase of UNFCCC-recognised offsets such as Certified Emission Reductions (CERs).

5.

COP26 has four themes

Firstly, countries should aim to make ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. To accomplish this, countries need to phase out coal, end deforestation, switch to electric vehicles and encourage investments in renewables. 

Secondly, countries must adapt to protect communities and natural habitats by protecting and restoring ecosystems and building defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure and agriculture.

Thirdly, developed nations must follow up on their promise to raise at least USD$100 billion in climate finance per year by 2020. 

Lastly, countries must finalise the Paris Rulebook (which includes agreeing on a price system for carbon trading) and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society.

6.

Delegates are encouraged to travel sustainably

Delegates of the event are encouraged to travel by train – the main COP venue is served by its own train station – with a special “Climate Train” that will shuttle delegates from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Brussels, via London, to Glasgow. This service could save up to 93% of carbon emissions per passenger over flying. 

7.

Everyone (and the Queen) will attend

Nearly 200 politicians and up to 30,000 climate activists, influencers and experts are expected to turn up at COP26. This includes natural historian Sir David Attenborough, who will address world leaders as a people’s advocate. 

The Queen will also attend, along with former US President Barack Obama who will join current president Joe Biden. Youth climate activist Greta Thunberg will also attend, after famously refusing to go due to concerns that delegates from poorer countries would not be able to go because of a lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines. The UK has since offered to provide vaccines to all COP26 delegates who would be unable to get them otherwise. 

We can also expect to see protests taking place, with some estimates suggesting that there will be up to 300,000 climate protesters! 

8.

Some Countries Will Be Looked at More Closely Than Others

As mentioned, some countries have already submitted their updated NDCs, but China is among those who haven’t. The world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases has committed to peak emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, but this grand plan has not yet been matched with a short-term action plan. 

Major fossil fuel producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and Australia are unwilling to strengthen their commitments, and India – the second-largest consumer, producer and importer of coal globally – has also not yet committed to strengthened commitments. However, they are expected to announce a goal of some sort. 

Russia has said that it is now ready for dialogue to seek ways to tackle climate change and that it would work to be carbon neutral “no later than 2060.”

The US has recently re-entered the Paris Agreement after the previous administration left, and it has a lot of work to do. However, its Congress has yet to enact any climate legislation, a big part of Joe Biden’s campaign promises. 

Other developing nations, like Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil, will all be closely watched. Brazilian president Javier Bolsonaro has famously said that the Amazon Rainforest will continue to be cleared if it means it will help the country develop economically. 

We hope that this guide to COP26 has helped you to learn a bit more about this vitally important climate summit! World leaders need to put aside their difference and work together to find a common ground to tackle climate change, which has already changed the world as we know it, but threatens to make it unlivable in the decades to come. 

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See also: The Truth About… Carbon Offsets

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