Raising funds for climate change with digital assets at COP28 | Opinion

UN Climate Change conferences (or COPs) is an annual event that brings world countries together to address the challenges and needs of climate change. 

COP 28 occurs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November until 12 December 2023. In a stark warning ahead of COP28, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Jagan Chapagain, highlighted that climate change causes almost every humanitarian disaster the world faces:

“Whether it’s a hunger crisis and people forced to move because of drought, a health emergency exacerbated by heat, killer flooding caused by exceptional rain, disputes over diminishing tracts of arable land or an uptick in malaria deaths due to warmer temperatures, climate change plays a role in exacerbating the impact of so-called ‘natural’ disasters. The climate and environmental crisis is the biggest global challenge the IFRC faces. Addressing its impacts means addressing the base issues that turn hazards into disasters and doing that at the base level where people are most affected. If we want to tackle humanitarian disasters, it really is ‘All About That Base.’”

IFRC leaders and experts will argue that a humanitarian catastrophe can only be avoided through a mix of mitigation (reducing emissions to stop temperature rises beyond 1.5 degrees), adaptation to a world inevitably warmer than today, and accelerated efforts to avert, minimize, and address losses and damages. They will say that the focus for adaptation should be on base issues in the countries, communities, and crises most affected by climate change but seeing the most diminutive adaptation funding. And they will argue that the most effective projects and initiatives are at the community level: grassroots initiatives that work from the base up.

At COP28, for the first time, ways to provide relief to those affected will be explored with delegates at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai formally adopting a damage fund to help nations hit hardest by the climate crisis. In addition, keep in mind that you can also donate IFRC digital assets too.  For example,  the British Red Cross accepts over 70 cryptocurrencies via email.

Impact on biodiversity

These climate disasters have an impact on biodiversity as well. A recent detailed analysis by Aplaceforanimals dives deep into crucial questions about our planet’s threatened species due to climate change. Through examination of diverse habitats, the findings are alarming. Amphibians, for instance, are facing more significant danger, with a staggering 41% on the verge of extinction. Of the 65,000 vertebrate species—constituting merely 3% of all animal species—an astounding 42,100 find themselves under the imminent threat of extinction due to climate change.

The data casts a bright spotlight on Indonesia, a nation boasting unparalleled biodiversity with 10,408 animal species. However, it also holds the unenviable position of having 1,233 species under threat. Yet, the concern doesn’t end there. Both Australia and Mexico are ringing alarm bells, witnessing threat rates of 12.5% and 13.9%, respectively.

Aplaceforanimals assessed each nation based on criteria like species diversity, number of endangered species, and conservation efforts. They assigned scores based on these parameters, culminating in an overall rating. For credibility and precision, the research extensively drew upon data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), offering a meticulous perspective on the state of wildlife conservation across nations.

Our world’s climate and its biodiversity are inextricably interconnected. Climate change creates severe pressure and risks for food, agriculture, and especially ocean and water systems that ensure well-being. With my work in the Future of Power art show at COP28, I draw attention to the fact that the ocean generates 50 percent of the oxygen we need, absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions, and captures 90 percent of the excess heat generated by these emissions. We must protect and manage our oceans, wetlands, biodiversity hotspots, and natural carbon sinks.

Number of endangered animals by species | Source: Aplaceforanimals

With most endangered species living in the sea, the COP28 Presidency, High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (The Ocean Panel), UN High-level Climate Champions, and Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action will cast a spotlight on the ocean and put forth country commitments towards the 100% Sustainable Ocean Management goal and showcase tangible actions supporting the implementation of the Ocean Breakthrough.

Please note that the Oceanic Society, Ocean Defenders Alliance, Sea Shepard, Wildlife Conservancy Network, Wildlife Conservation Society, and others have partnered with The Giving Block to make it quick and easy to donate over 70 leading cryptocurrencies.

Science, culture, and art at the COP28

UNESCO recognizes natural, cultural, tangible, and intangible heritage as vital resources to tell our story to future generations. And climate change impacts cultural heritage as well. Environmental and climate changes severely affect many of the world’s historical cities, their ‘green’ heritage, and their protected landscapes.

At the opening of COP28 on Nov. 30, her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bit Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council Dubai Culture, hosted Prototypes for Humanity, the world’s most comprehensive assembly of academic innovations that have the power to change the world, showcasing 100 selected projects from 46 countries and 92 different universities to experience the future of innovative climate change solutions.

Additionally, the government of the United Arab Emirates proposes to launch a new Group of Friends of Culture-Based Climate Action at the UNFCCC at a High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Culture-Based Climate Action to be held on December 8th at COP28 in Dubai. 

The Group of Friends will be an informal coalition of UNFCCC member states focused on strengthening political momentum for a compelling, coherent, and coordinated action to support and advocate for culture and heritage-based climate action and protect culture and heritage from climate impacts. The launch of the Group of Friends and the Ministerial is a highly positive development—for culture and heritage and also for the success of the global effort to tackle climate change.

“Culture and heritage have an unparalleled capacity to enable green transformation. The Group of Friends is being formed to advocate for the inclusion on the COP29 agenda of a “Joint Work Decision on Culture and Climate Action,” which would pave the way to the adoption at a subsequent COP (perhaps in Brazil!) of a landmark work program unlocking this potential,” explained Andrew Potts, Coordinator of Climate Heritage Network, Culture at COP28 Working Group Secretariat. He added that “the global call to put cultural heritage, arts, and creative sectors at the heart of climate action illustrates how culture intersects with climate policy in many dimensions.” 

Various museums that are members of the Climate Heritage Network, such as the Smithsonian Institution—Smithsonian’s Center for Environmental Justice at the Anacostia Community Museum—explore the climate-related impacts of putting living cultural heritage at risk and the relevant efforts of mitigation and adaptation. These museums have partnered with The Giving Block to make it quick and easy to donate over 70 leading cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency donations to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations/charities are tax-deductible and can be made anonymously in the US.