【推荐2】The world is wasting the opportunity to “build back better” from the Covid-19 pandemic, and faces disastrous temperature rises of at least 2.7°C if countries fail to strengthen their climate commitments, according to a report from the UN.

Tuesday’s publication warns that countries’ current commitments would reduce carbon by only about 7.5% by 2030, far less than the 45% cut, which scientists say is needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃, the aim of the Cop26summit that opens in Glasgow this Sunday.

António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, described the findings as a “thundering wake-up call“ to world leaders. while experts called for action against fossil fuel companies.

Although more than 100 countries have promised to reach net zero emissions around mid-century, this would not be enough to avoid climate disasters, according to the UN emissions report, which examines the shortfall between countries’ intentions and actions needed on the climate. Many of the net zero commitments were found to be unclear, and unless accompanied by strict cuts in emissions this decade would allow global heating of a potentially disastrous extent.

Guterres said: “The heat is on, and as the contents of the report show, the leadership we need is off. Far off. Countries are wasting a massive opportunity to invest Covid-19 finance and recovery resources in sustainable, cost-saving, planet-saving ways. As world leaders prepare for Cop26, this report is another thundering wake-up call. How many do we need?”

Inger Andersen, the director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said: “Climate change is no longer a future problem. It is a now problem. To stand a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5℃, we have 8 years to almost halve greenhouse gas emissions: 8 years to make the plans, put in place the policies, carry them out and deliver the cuts.The clock is ticking loudly.”

Emissions fell by about 5.4% last year during Covid lockdowns, the report found, but only about one-fifth of the economic recovery spending goes towards reducing carbon emissions. This failure to ”build back better“ despite promises by governments around the world cast doubt on the world’s willingness to make the economic shift necessary to settle the climate crisis, the UN said.

In the run-up to Cop26, countries were supposed to submit national plans to cut emissions - called nationally determined contributions (NDCs) - for the next decade, a requirement under the 2015 Paris climate agreement. But the UNEP report found only half of countries had submitted new NDCs, and some governments had presented weak plans.

【推荐3】After weeks of hard work, a cafe built by a group of young people from recycled solid waste has opened recently. The group recycled about 270 tons of solid waste, including wooden poles, boxes, refrigerators and washing machines. Located on the Gaza City beach, it’s the first of such shops in Gaza.

Gaza is suffering from severe garbage pollution. According to a report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the average amount of household waste in the Gaza Strip stands at 716 tonnes. About 80 percent of the garbage there is organic waste, while 20 percent of it is solid waste.

Called “The Sea Is Ours”, the project falls under the responsibility of the Abdul Muhsin al-Qattan Foundation and the Gaza Municipality. The organizers say the cafe is not intended to earn money. It’s a way to tell the masses about the environment. “Some people go to the sea to relax and leave plastic waste on the beach, damaging the area. Our initiative (新方案) encourages people to keep our environment clean and healthy,” said Hanaa al-Ghoul, one initiative organizer.

To fire people with enthusiasm for it, organizers decided to run workshops to teach people how they can benefit from their own waste. Furthermore, they arranged theatrical performances that spread the message of environmental conservation. Many Gazan families praised the initiative as they took their waste to the cafe and learned how to recycle it into useful things.

Mariam Ibrahim, who had spent a whole day with her family there, said her children succeeded in producing flower vases from plastic waste, as well as bags from old clothes. “The green methods can be used not only on the beach but at home,” the 35-year-old mother said. She expressed her hope that others will follow this example. “Gaza is the most beautiful area, but it needs more people who take care of it.”