From a public perception stand point, we seemed to have turned a corner on #adaptation - though not for positive reasons - so I hope COP will deliver for those driven from their homes by climate hazards.

Read the full @unhcr.org report here: www.unhcr.org/media/no-esc...

As well as violence and geopolitical instability.

“Almost half the world’s displaced people are facing conflict and climate impacts in politically fragile states, including Sudan, Syria, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Myanmar and Yemen.”

And the poor get poorer or in this case, are driven toward worse climate conditions.

“Three-quarters of refugees and other displaced people now live in countries facing high or extreme exposure to climate-related hazards, with repeated displacement becoming increasingly common.

Of course the vulnerable are most susceptible to the shocks and stresses that drive displacement.

“Refugees and displaced people, often living in precarious physical and political conditions, are among the hardest hit by the climate crisis despite contributing little to its causes.”

As with all things #climateaction the limiting factor is funding for critical interventions.

“Fragile and conflict-affected countries hosting refugees receive only a quarter of the climate finance they need.”

Seems to be an example where writing in layman’s terms does more harm than good. And opens the door for palatable but damaging messaging that enables/promotes apathy or distraction. Like if a billionaire with a global platform suggested, “all as well, look over here instead.”

Hypothetically…

Public man-made death - I fear this is a term with which we must become (even more) familiar, as we will likely see it with increasing frequency going forward.

“The Administration, for its part, has denied causing widespread harm, even as it has made the scale of the damage harder to measure—halting data monitoring and dismissing the inspectors general who might have documented it. This is common in cases of public man-made death.”

Meanwhile, on the same day this exposé was published, the architect of USAID’s demise was awarded with a trillion-dollar compensation package.

Sit with that for a moment and reflect on how our collective economic, political, and social systems could allow either outcome.

Why does this read as a storyline that begins with a dubious initial attempt to advance an inadequately studied and immensely risky technology that rapidly morphs into the fanatical motivation of a comic book super villain?

My first job post-undergrad primarily involved advocacy comms for the Clean Air Act among other environmental policies. The best argument focused on the health implications and related economic fallout. That was ~15 years ago. The story is largely the same but public awareness hasn’t moved enough.

Likewise and thanks so much for the great talk, Jeff. Looking forward to your next book!

Hearing you speak at NY Climate Week 2024 was an all time experience.

Incredible! And imagine the spicy donuts will get even spicier.

A packed house shared moments of levity and awe, insight and stillness. I always find events like this that contrast from the technical and pragmatic panels and demos equally essential, as several hundred colleagues and friends left the event with renewed hope, energy, and purpose.