It’s a Deal—Wealthy Nations Pledge Not to Build New Unabated Coal-Power Plants

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Activists speak out against fossil fuels amid a new pledge from wealthy nations and EU against new unabated coal power plants. Credit: Joyce Chimbi

BAKU, Nov 21 2024 (IPS) – Of all fossil fuels, coal has had the most serious and long-term effects on global warming. When burnt, coal releases more carbon dioxide than oil and gas, producing an estimated 39 percent of the global carbon dioxide emissions. Yet, coal is still the number one energy source, providing nearly 40 percent of the world’s electricity.


A COP29 deal struck on Wednesday November 21 now holds the promise to change the fossil fuel landscape and climate change trajectory, placing the world back on track to net zero. Twenty-five countries and the EU have now pledged not to build any new unabated coal-power plants in their next round of national climate plans in bid to scale up ambitions in the next phase of climate action.

Fossil fuels are highly polluting. The ‘no new unabated coal power’ COP29 initiative was signed by EU climate envoy Wopke Hoekstra to pledge that when the 25 nations submit their national climate plans by February 2025 along with all other nations party to the Paris Agreement, theirs will reflect no new unabated coal in their respective energy systems to accelerate phasing out of fossil fuels.

In reference to fossil fuels, ‘unabated’ means taking no measures to reduce the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas. Abated refers to attempts to decrease release of polluting substances to an acceptable level.

“I’m often asked what gives me confidence that we can get this job done.  The answer is lots of things.  Quiet acts of solidarity, from people who get knocked down, but who refuse to stay down.  But there are also big things – the macro trends that aren’t up for debate.    And there’s none bigger than the global clean energy boom – set to hit two trillion dollars this year alone.  And it’s just getting started,” Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, stressed.

“Money talks, and as we enter the second quarter of this century, it is saying loud and clear: there is no stopping the clean energy juggernaut, and the vast benefits it brings: stronger growth, more jobs, less pollution and inflation, cheaper and cleaner energy. The list of benefits goes on.” 

The coalition of nations backing the diplomatic campaign to encourage all countries to end new coal power is constituted of mostly wealthy nations such as Germany, France, Canada, the United Kingdom and notably Australia – a major coal producer. This is the latest pledge towards curbing use of the fuel and phasing out fossil fuels in line with the COP28 deal.

The pledge is incredibly critical for despite coal being extremely dangerous to the global climate goals, a coal boom is unfolding. Data in the Global Coal Plant Tracker show that “69.5 GW of coal power capacity was commissioned while 21.1 GW was retired in 2023, resulting in a net annual increase of 48.4 GW for the year and a global total capacity of 2,130 GW. This is the highest net increase in operating coal capacity since 2016.”

COP29 has been centered around a new deal for climate financing to support the third Nationally Determined Contributions in the developing world, but delegates have not lost sight of the COP28 landmark deal when nearly 200 nations—for the first time—called on all nations to transition away from fossil fuels.

Activists want a net-zero world and they want it now, calling for ambitious climate actions to save the planet. Credit: Joyce Chimbi/IPS

Teresa Anderson, the Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid International, told IPS, “Just transitions and climate finance have to go hand in hand. Last year’s agreement to transition away from fossils was an important step. But without finance to make the just transition a reality, developing countries are in a bind.”

Stressing that climate-hit countries want to “leapfrog the fossil fuel era and scale up renewables, but can’t do so when they are being pushed deeper into debt by the climate crisis. To finally unlock the climate action the planet needs, COP29 needs to agree on an ambitious finance goal worth trillions of dollars in grants each year. Ensuring a just transition in energy is about much more than encouraging corporate investment and can’t just be left up to the private sector.

“When shifting away from fossil fuels, governments have a responsibility to actively involve communities in planning, training, social protection and ensuring energy access and secure livelihoods. Public services can join the dots, and have a key role in the just transition. The new climate finance goal has to provide trillions of dollars in grants, not loans or corporate investment targets,” Anderson observed.

Hailed as a major progressive step in the journey towards phasing out fossil fuels, the initiative is nonetheless not the silver bullet to end coal. The new commitment does not compel nations to stop mining or exporting coal. Notably, the world’s greatest coal-power generators, such as the United Nations and India, are not part of the initiative. Nonetheless, despite coal power growing in the past years despite the COP28 deal on fossil fuels, Hoekstra expressed optimism that this call to action will set the ball rolling towards a much-needed fossil fuel phasing out.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

COP29 Focus On Climate Migration as Hotter Planet Pushes Millions Out of Homes

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Ugochi Daniels, the Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), speaks to IPS Senior Journalist Joyce Chimbi. Credit: IOM

Ugochi Daniels, the Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), speaks to IPS Senior Journalist Joyce Chimbi. Credit: IOM

BAKU, Nov 20 2024 (IPS) – Migration is growing as the planet gets even hotter. Climate change is fuelling a migration crisis and millions of people in vulnerable nations are continually being uprooted from their homes. The climate and migration nexus are undeniable and the global community has turned to the Baku climate talks for urgent and sustainable solutions.


Ugochi Daniels, the Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) spoke to IPS about displacement of people due to the impact of climate change and its different dimensions, such as disaster displacement, labor mobility, as well as planned relocation. She also talked about the magnitude of this pressing problem, as nearly 26 million people were displaced due to the impact of climate change in the last year alone.

“This impact is destroying people’s livelihoods. The farms they used to farm are no longer viable and the land can no longer sustain their livestock. So, people then move, looking for job opportunities elsewhere. Then there is planned relocation, which IOM supports governments to do. When governments know certain communities can no longer adapt as the impact of climate is so great that they are going to have to move, rather than waiting for the climate impact to happen to move and probably not in as organized a way as possible, governments plan for it. That is what we refer to as planned relocation,” she explains.

Ugochi Daniels, the Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration at COP29. Credit: Joyce Chimbi/IPS

Ugochi Daniels, the Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration at COP29. Credit: Joyce Chimbi/IPS

Stressing that climate migration is on track to be an even bigger global crises, with World Bank estimates showing that “216 million people will be displaced due to the impact of climate by 2050 and that they will be displaced within their countries. Nearly a billion people are living in highly climate-vulnerable areas. Trends are showing that when people are displaced, it is often due to a mix of many factors. So, if a community is hit by an extreme weather event, and at the same time the necessary investments were not made, there is no way for the community to absorb the shock of the extreme weather event.”

Daniels notes that with progressive COPs, each year is also becoming the hottest in recorded history and there are more disasters such as heat waves, droughts, floods and hurricanes. Saying that these issues are increasingly becoming a lived reality for even more people. Further referencing the recent flooding in Spain, in addition to all the disasters unfolding in the developing countries. In turn, this is increasing awareness of the impact of climate change on people.

“Of the estimated 216 million people moving by 2050, nearly half of them are in Africa—86 million in sub-Saharan Africa and 19 million in North Africa. Africa is highly vulnerable amid all the other development issues that the continent is dealing with. And we know that, looking at Africa alone, water stress will affect 700 million people by 2030. The reality is that we are experiencing the impact of climate. We had unprecedented flooding in Nigeria this year and it is not just Nigeria—there is Chad and the Central African Republic and the Eastern Horn of Africa has faced similar events in recent times, and we have the El Niño and La Niña in Southern Africa,” she explains. 

Daniels says they are encouraged and satisfied because human mobility is integrated into submissions for the Global Goal on Adaptation and that they are unified around this issue. There is also the Kampala Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change, which has already been signed by over 40 countries in Africa and the regional groups in the Pacific Island States and the islands have all prioritized the issue as it is their lived reality.

“As IOM, our presence at COP is in supporting member states in raising visibility and awareness on the link between climate change and migration and displacement. Having said that, within the negotiations, and we are still waiting to see what comes out, we hope that this continues. We count on member states in making sure that the impact on vulnerable communities is recognized, that vulnerable communities are prioritized for climate financing, and that migration is factored in as a positive coping strategy for adaptation,” Daniels observes.

She emphasises that “when we talk about displacement, we also have to recognize that as things stand, migrants, through formal and informal means, remit a trillion dollars a year. And a lot of that is going to developing and middle-income countries. And when I met with the diaspora at COP last year, they said to me, ‘We are financing loss and damage now.’ We have seen that remittances have stayed resilient since COVID-19 and continue to go up. So here at COP, it is not just recognition of climate change and human mobility, which has been in the covered decision at least for the last three COPs. But it is also about integrating this into the different instruments and mechanisms, whether it is financing or in the indicators.”

Further speaking to the issue of the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund. Saying that whereas there are 64 funds globally specific on climate, the Loss and Damage Fund is the only one that has a window specific for vulnerable communities. As member states continue their negotiations, IOM is looking forward to solutions that, for instance, improve access to climate finance, ensuring that in the new financing path, the loss and damage fund supports vulnerable communities to adapt or migrate safely. Emphasising the need for regional cooperation to manage climate-related migration and how climate migration features in the national adaptation plans.

“Importantly, vulnerable communities. need to be part of the solutions. They need to be at the table where these decisions are being made. IOM is one of the—it is actually the only UN organization—that is one of the representative agencies supporting the Loss and Damage Fund and implementation of the fund. Our top priority is the engagement and participation of those most affected so that they have a voice at the table. Well-managed migration is a very effective adaptation strategy. Human civilization has been shaped by migration and this will continue. Climate and other factors will continue to trigger movement,” Daniels says.

“We have the tools. We know what the solutions are. There is the global compact on migration, which is how countries have agreed they will cooperate for better migration management and better migration governance. So, because we know migration has shaped our history and that it will shape our future, we have no excuse for not ensuring that it is safe, dignified, and regular. Whatever we do not do, the traffickers and smugglers will do.”

Stressing that in the process, there will be more people dying, “We will have increased vulnerabilities, and the business model and the industry of trafficking will just continue to grow. So, the urgency for climate action is here and now and there is really no excuse for why we are not collectively working on this. The evidence is there. The solutions are there. The agreements are there too. So, we are here at COP to do our best to ensure it happens.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

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Dazzling Wildlife Portraits at COP29: A Conversation with Photographer Brad Wilson

Arts, Biodiversity, Civil Society, Climate Action, Climate Change, COP29, COP29 Blog, Editors’ Choice, Environment, Featured, Global, Headlines, Sustainable Development Goals, TerraViva United Nations

COP29 Blog

Brad Wilson is an American photographer specializing in classical portraits of animals. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

Brad Wilson is an American photographer specializing in classical portraits of animals. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

As delegates at COP29 stroll through the venue in Baku, Azerbaijan, many pause to marvel at the stunning portraits of animals and birds adorning the pavilion walls. These 16 captivating images, showcasing Azerbaijan’s rich biodiversity, are more than just art—they’re a call to action.

Visitors, from diplomats to environmental activists, can often be seen snapping selfies with these majestic portraits, drawn to their lifelike intensity. Behind this collection is Brad Wilson, an American photographer whose mission is to “bridge the gap between humans and the natural world.” 

Wilson spoke to the IPS on his artistic journey and the philosophy underpinning his work.

“My name is Brad Wilson,” he begins. “I’m an American photographer specializing in classical portraits of animals.”

Classical portraits—usually a domain of human subjects—take on a unique depth when applied to animals.

“I aim to elevate animals to a higher level, presenting them as equals to humans—different but equal. Looking into their eyes through these photographs should invoke a sense of responsibility for their lives because we all share the same planet.”

For Wilson, animals represent a poignant connection to the natural world. “They are our closest relatives living in the wild,” he says. “They serve as a bridge, reminding us of our roots in nature.”

Brad Wilson photographic portraits were commissioned for the Haydar Aliyev Centre in Baku and are on display at the COP29 venue. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

Brad Wilson photographic portraits were commissioned for the Haydar Aliyev Centre in Baku and are on display at the COP29 venue. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

Process: A Dance of Patience and Precision

Creating these portraits is no simple task. Wilson describes the meticulous setup required for his work.

“All the portraits are done in a studio. I set up the studio close to where the animals live—often in sanctuaries or ranches. Then we bring them in for two or three hours,” he says. But those hours yield just fleeting moments of magic.

“I’m lucky if I get two or three good seconds with each animal. But that’s all I need—a single moment of connection that resonates.”

“My photo shoots are like meditations amidst organized chaos,” he says. Amid bustling activity, Wilson remains quiet and still, waiting for the animal to relax. “What I aim to capture is something uncommon—a glimpse of the animal’s soul, if you will. That’s what I hope viewers experience—a moment of connection.”

“I want people to understand that we are part of this planet’s biodiversity. We’re not separate from these creatures. It’s only been about 12,000 years—since the advent of farming and permanent settlements—that we began seeing ourselves as separate from the natural world. That’s a mistake. These animals remind us of our place in the web of life.”

“When we talk about climate action, it’s not just about saving the earth—it’s about saving humanity and the animals that share this planet with us. The earth will endure, but we might not.”

Behind the Scenes at COP29

Wilson’s collection at COP29 was commissioned by the Haydar Aliyev Centre in Baku.

“They brought me here in August to photograph animals in Baku and Shamaki,” he says. The project celebrates Azerbaijan’s biodiversity, showcasing species native to the region while promoting conservation awareness.

The portraits have been a hit among COP29 attendees, sparking conversations about the intersection of art, biodiversity, and climate action. Wilson hopes the images inspire policymakers and the public alike to take meaningful action.

“Climate change is already a massive problem, and it’s only going to worsen. We need to get serious about tackling it.”

Advice for Aspiring Photographers

For those inspired to follow in Wilson’s footsteps, he offers this advice: “Start with humans. I spent 15 years photographing people in New York City before transitioning to animals. That experience taught me about connection and emotion—skills that translate well to wildlife photography.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

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Pakistan’s Climate Minister Pitches for ‘Climate Diplomacy’ at COP29

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Romina Khurshid Alam, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change at the Pakistan Pavilion at the COP29 Venue in Baku. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

Romina Khurshid Alam, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change at the Pakistan Pavilion at the COP29 Venue in Baku. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

BAKU, Nov 19 2024 (IPS) – Romina Khurshid Alam, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change, praised the resilience of the people of her country in the face of climate disasters and has put her faith into diplomacy to achieve climate justice.


Speaking to IPS against the backdrop of a rising environmental crisis and unfulfilled promises by developed nations, Alam outlined the necessity of climate diplomacy as a tool to bridge global disparities and address the collective challenges posed by climate change. 

Climate Diplomacy: A Global Imperative

Alam said that climate diplomacy is of utmost importance in a world where disasters transcend borders.

“Climate diplomacy is crucial because the challenges we face today are not confined to one nation,” she said. “Smog, floods, and melting glaciers do not ask for permission to cross boundaries. Even the largest wars have been resolved through dialogue, and we must adopt the same approach for climate issues.”

Recalling the devastating floods in Pakistan in 2022, Alam said the human and economic toll the country has faced was massive. Vulnerable nations like Pakistan, she argued, are bearing the brunt of a crisis they did little to create.

“We are paying the price for a problem caused by others. Despite our minimal contributions to global emissions, we are expected to ‘do more’ while developed countries delay fulfilling their commitments.”

A flooded village in Matiari, in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Credit: UNICEF/Asad Zaidi

A flooded village in Matiari, in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Credit: UNICEF/Asad Zaidi

Unkept Promises and the Loss and Damage Fund

Alam expressed frustration with the slow progress of the Loss and Damage Fund, a financial mechanism agreed to in previous COPs to support vulnerable nations.

“What happened to those pledges? Where is the funding? Promises are made at every COP, but they rarely materialize into action,” she said, while urging developed nations to stop making new commitments until they have fulfilled their existing ones and also stressing that accountability and transparency are essential.

Alam also criticized the lack of accessibility to promised funds for developing nations.

“It’s not just about pledging money—it’s about ensuring those funds reach the countries that need them. Mechanisms must be simplified so that nations like Pakistan can access what is rightfully theirs.”

Education and Climate Justice

During the interview, Alam drew attention to the intersection of climate change and education.

Children in Pakistan are losing their right to education because of environmental crises like smog and floods,” she said. “How can we expect to provide green education when children can’t even make it to school safely?”

Alam called for climate justice that includes the protection of basic human rights, such as education, for the next generation.

She also pointed to the reluctance of neighboring countries to engage in meaningful discussions on shared challenges. “Regional solutions are imperative. Disasters don’t respect political or geographical boundaries, and neither should our response to them.”

International Climate Justice Court

Alam also shared her vision of an International Climate Justice Court, where vulnerable nations can hold major polluters accountable.

“I have requested the establishment of an International Climate Justice Court to protect the rights of those most affected by climate change,” she said. “Pakistan has already taken the lead by engaging national and international judges in this effort. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has been instrumental in highlighting the need for such a court.”

According to Alam, this court could empower vulnerable nations to seek redress and enforce accountability, especially for unfulfilled commitments by developed countries.

“Why should children in Pakistan or other vulnerable nations suffer because of decisions made elsewhere? It’s time we demand answers.”

Human Rights and Climate Change

For Alam, the climate crisis is not just an environmental issue but also a severe human rights violation.

“Developed nations often champion human rights, but they fail to recognize the rights being violated in vulnerable countries due to climate change,” she said. “The loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods in countries like Pakistan is a direct result of inaction by wealthier nations.”

She called on the international community to view the climate crisis through a humanitarian lens. “This is about humanity. The sun shines on all, and disasters strike indiscriminately. We must come together, regardless of our differences, to address this shared challenge.”

Pakistan’s Role as a Climate Advocate

Alam praised the resilience of the Pakistani people, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 floods.

“Our people have shown incredible strength,” she said. “Even the poorest woman who loses her roof to a flood will rebuild her life with courage. This resilience is what keeps us moving forward.”

She also highlighted Pakistan’s leadership in raising the voices of vulnerable nations. “Pakistan doesn’t just speak for itself; we speak for all developing countries that are facing the consequences of climate change. Peace and cooperation are essential, and Pakistan will continue to advocate for both.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

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Qatar Committed to Achieving Nationally Determined Contributions by 2030

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Saad Abdulla Al-Hitmi, Director of the Climate Change Department at the Government of Qatar. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

Saad Abdulla Al-Hitmi, Director of the Climate Change Department at the Government of Qatar. Credit: Umar Manzoor Shah/IPS

BAKU, Nov 19 2024 (IPS) – As global leaders gather at COP29 to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change, Saad Abdulla Al-Hitmi, Director of the Climate Change Department at the Government of Qatar, highlighted the nation’s ambitious goals in an interview with IPS, stressing its commitment to balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth.


Qatar’s Vision for Climate Action

Qatar’s participation at COP29, Al-Hitmi says, aligns with its National Vision 2030 and the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy 2021.

“Our message is clear: we aim to contribute to meaningful changes that reduce the impact of climate change while preserving the environment and its resources,” Al-Hitmi stated. This, according to him, is Qatar’s commitment to sustainability, focusing on achieving its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by 2030 to protect and enhance environmental quality.

Key among Qatar’s goals, he says, is a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.

“We are implementing practical solutions and proven technological applications across all sectors to achieve this target,” Al-Hitmi said.

Adapting and Financing for the Future

According to Al-Hitmi, adaptation financing must complement mitigation efforts to ensure vulnerable countries can effectively address the impacts of climate change.

“We are working to balance adaptation and mitigation financing during climate negotiations,” he said. “Adaptation is vital for developing countries, and we are negotiating to secure gains that will fund critical adaptation projects.”

‘A Leading Voice in Climate Diplomacy’

Al-Hitmi said that by leveraging cutting-edge technology and championing equitable financing mechanisms, the nation seeks to inspire collective action on the global stage.

“Our participation at COP29 is about collaboration,” Al-Hitmi said. “It’s about ensuring that our shared planet is preserved for future generations.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

Mercury Pollution: A Global Threat to Oceans and Communities

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Dr. Amina Schartup, Marine Chemist, sharing insights on mercury pollution and its global impact at COP29, Ocean Pavilion, Baku, Azerbaijan. Credit: Aishwarya Bajpai/IPS

Dr. Amina Schartup, Marine Chemist, sharing insights on mercury pollution and its global impact at COP29, Ocean Pavilion, Baku, Azerbaijan. Credit: Aishwarya Bajpai/IPS

BAKU, Nov 19 2024 (IPS) – Mercury pollution from burning coal is contaminating our oceans and seafood, threatening global health.


Dr. Amina Schartup, a marine chemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has spent nearly 20 years studying the mercury cycle. Her research sheds light on how this heavy metal, released through industrial activities like coal burning, affects ecosystems and people worldwide.

“Mercury is released into the environment through various industries, with coal burning being a major source,” she explains. The problem goes beyond carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as mercury travels globally, settling in places as remote as the Arctic and high mountains.

When mercury reaches the oceans, it is transformed by microbes into methylmercury, a highly toxic form. “This form accumulates in seafood, especially in larger predatory fish like tuna and swordfish, which many humans consume,” Schartup says. This poses serious health risks, including developmental issues in children and cardiovascular problems in adults.

How Widespread Is Mercury Exposure?

Fish consumption is the primary way mercury enters the human body. According to Schartup, “If 3 billion people rely on seafood, then 3 billion people are exposed to mercury through fish.”

The health impacts, however, are complex.

“Fish consumption is generally healthy, supporting brain development, but consuming too much fish with high mercury levels can offset those benefits,” she notes. This makes balancing seafood consumption tricky, especially for communities heavily dependent on it.

Mercury exposure is a chronic issue, with small amounts accumulating in the body over time. The toxic effects, especially on fetal development, can result in reduced IQ and other developmental problems.

Mercury and Climate Change: A Dangerous Mix

Climate change intensifies mercury’s impact on oceans and seafood. Schartup explains, “The mercury cycle is connected to the environment, so any changes—like rising temperatures or melting sea ice—will affect it.”

For instance, warming oceans change the behavior of fish and microbes. “Warmer waters can cause fish to eat more, which increases their mercury levels,” she says. Melting sea ice, which acts as a cap on the ocean, alters mercury exchange between the air and water. Freshwater inputs from melting glaciers or rivers also bring more mercury into the oceans.

These factors combine to make mercury levels in seafood even more unpredictable, creating additional challenges for public health.

Global Pollution, Local Consequences

One of the most alarming aspects of mercury pollution is its global reach. Once released into the atmosphere, mercury can travel thousands of miles before settling. “It can deposit in pristine areas like the Arctic, far from the emission sources,” Schartup explains.

Microbial activity in different environments determines where mercury is transformed into its toxic form. “It happens everywhere,” she says, emphasizing that no region is immune to this problem.

What Needs to Change?

At COP29, Schartup is advocating for a broader understanding of how emissions impact the environment and human health. “Climate change isn’t just about CO2. Burning coal also releases mercury, which contaminates fish and affects the health of millions,” she says.

Reducing coal usage could address both carbon and mercury pollution.

“By solving the CO2 crisis, we can tackle mercury contamination as well. This isn’t just about climate; it’s about health too,” she stresses.

Schartup believes this issue should resonate with everyone, especially those who eat fish regularly. “Turning on the light switch is linked to mercury in the fish we eat. It’s all connected,” she explains.

Protecting Vulnerable Communities

Some populations are more affected than others, particularly those relying heavily on seafood. These communities face a double burden: the health risks from mercury and the challenges of adapting to climate change.

Schartup emphasizes the need for policies to protect these vulnerable groups. Reducing coal emissions and investing in cleaner energy sources could lessen mercury pollution and its far-reaching effects.

A Call to Action

Mercury pollution is a hidden crisis, but its effects on human health and the environment are profound. Schartup’s research underscores the urgency of addressing this issue as part of global climate action.

“We have a chance to solve multiple problems at once,” she says. Reducing coal emissions won’t just cut CO2; it will also protect our oceans, seafood, and health.

This interconnected approach, she believes, is key to creating a sustainable future for all.

IPS UN Bureau Report