World leaders shocked by climate change showcase at COP27

The leaders of many countries around the world have been faced with the confronting reality of climate change at the United Nations global climate talks in Egypt. A video showcase composed of natural disasters throughout the year that have been caused by climate change was played to the audience. A koala escaping a bushfire was one of the clips used for Australian extreme weather-related events in the showcase. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is absent from the event.

Also in COP27 news, the UN has announced the “Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda” - a plan to increase the resilience of billions of people who will have to live with the worst consequences of climate change. This comes as research warns that nearly half the world's population will be at severe risk of climate change impacts by 2030, even in a 1.5-degree world.

A Fijian government taskforce has spent the past four years assessing the epic task of moving entire villages across the country in order to protect people and their livelihoods from rising sea levels and natural disasters. They are in essence, planning to move a country.

World leaders visibly shocked by devastating climate images at COP27
A number of leaders from across the globe were shown a video that highlighted multiple natural disasters having occurred in the past year as a result of climate change. ABC News reported that the crowd were visibly shocked and affected by the imagery, some with their head in their hands. In reference to an AC/DC lyric, Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter commented that “Maybe what we say to world leaders who are taking action is: For those about to rock we salute you”.

UN launches plan to build climate resilience by 2030
The United Nations have unveiled the “Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda” at their COP27 event in Egypt. The Agenda has outcomes designed to enhance the resilience of the 4 billion people who will be living in the most climate-vulnerable communities by 2030. Extreme heat, drought, flooding, and other extreme weather events are among the problems the Agenda seeks to address.

Fiji’s plan to move the entire country to escape climate disasters
The Fijian government has a particularly creative and challenging approach to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, and it involves relocating entire villages! With many homes soon to be, or already underwater, 42 villages in Fiji have been targeted for relocation.

COP27: Island nations say China, India should pay for climate change
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, said on behalf of the Association of Small Island States that China and India have a responsibility to pay into a fund for countries experiencing loss and damage due to climate change. "We all know that the People's Republic of China, India - they're major polluters, and the polluter must pay”.

Disastrous floods are shaking the world, what can we learn from them?
Australia isn't alone in experiencing dangerous, climate-induced flooding; The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Nigeria, Venezuela and Pakistan have all experienced record rainfalls and deadly floods. So what can we learn from these countries, and how might it change the world?

Wastewater technology to be used to clean the Great Barrier Reef
Technology created by RegenAqua uses macroalgae to remove harmful nutrients from wastewater before it enters and pollutes waterways is expected to help improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.