COP26 Live Updates: Boris Johnson Warns World Leaders of 'One Minute to Midnight' Moment in Climate Change Fight
World leaders are traveling to Glasgow as the much-anticipated COP26 climate change summit gets underway, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning of a "one minute to midnight" moment in the fight against global warming and its catastrophic effects.
The hope is that the world's wealthiest countries are able to strike a deal that dramatically cuts emissions, boosts renewable energy, and helps developing countries - many of which rely heavily on the coal industry - find a new source of energy and income.
Several leaders have already expressed doubts that a deal that meets the 1.5C global warming target will be reached, with many critical countries pledging action but so far refusing to make specific commitments.
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Extinction Rebellion 'lone rebels' target Australian national symbols
While the country's officials are away in Glasgow to attempt a deal to tackle the climate emergency, some XR protesters have targeted iconic Aussie buildings, including the Sydney Opera House.
The group says the COP process to agree climate change action "has failed" so far.
💥🧘🏾♂️BREAKING🧘🏼♀️💥
— Extinction Rebellion Australia (@XRebellionAus) November 1, 2021
Lone rebels are simultaneously disrupting iconic + strategic locations across Australia from the Sydney Opera House entrance to Victoria State Library, MPs offices to @WoodsideEnergy, as part of a globally coordinated #RebellionOfOne!
TARGET: @COP26 the #COPOut pic.twitter.com/9ZAWJTFyyl
Planet 'on track' for 2.7C global temperature rise - UN
The United Nations - which has convened COP26 - is warning that the planet is currently on course to be significantly over its 1.5C target.
Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change, Patricia Espinosa, said countries "need to address" this before the warnings of what 2.7C could mean become reality.
The devastating loss of lives and livelihoods this year due to extreme weather events clarifies how important it is to convene COP26 despite the impacts of the pandemic still being felt. We are on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7C, while we should be heading for the 1.5C goal. Clearly, we are in a climate emergency. Clearly, we need to address it. Clearly, we need to support the most vulnerable to cope. To do so successfully, greater ambition is now critical.
Boris Johnson sets out 'coal, cars, cash and trees' agenda
The British Prime Minister is warning leaders of a "one minute to midnight" scenario in the fight against climate change and said he will be demanding countries use COP26 to "take action" and make commitments.
I’ll be asking world leaders to take action on coal, cars, cash and trees – to keep alive the prospect of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 1, 2021
#COP26 https://t.co/NMrYb3E8PM
