Climate Action: A Call to Radically Shift Our Thinking
A Global Response to Climate Change
Prime Minister Phillip Davis addressing Climate Change Week NYC2024
NEW YORK, CMC – Bahamas Prime Minister Phillip Davis says it is time to move past business as usual and urged the international community to rethink their current position regarding climate change, noting that for too long, the global response has been defined by inertia.
Addressing the Climate Week NYC 2024 here, Prime Minister Davis said that as the leader of a nation on the frontlines of climate change, he has watched the tides rise each year, felt the storms grow more robust and witnessed firsthand the relentless advance of a warming world.
The 1.5°C Threshold
“But nothing could have prepared me for the news that shook us all: For the first time, global warming has exceeded 1.5°C across an entire year. Not for a day or a week, but for an entire year.”
Avis said that the 1.5°C reality dismantles the notion that incremental change will be enough, adding that the old playbooks and familiar arguments no longer hold sway in a world where this threshold has been crossed.
A New Era of Climate Action
“For too long, the global response has been defined by inertia, by a dangerous insistence on clinging to “business as usual.” But recently, we have seen some progress, prompted by the voices of people like my citizens facing this crisis daily and the activism of concerned citizens worldwide.
“A wave of change is sweeping the globe. More and more nations are recognizing the urgency of the crisis and setting ambitious targets to reduce emissions and transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Progress and Challenges
He said that the recent passing of the Inflation Reduction Act was the most significant piece of climate legislation in US history and that multilateral development banks, acknowledging the critical role of finance in driving this transformation, have tripled their climate investments over the past decade.
“This momentum is undeniable, a testament to the growing global consensus that climate action is not just enlightened self-interest, but an economic and strategic necessity,” Prime Minister Davis said, adding, “Global leaders have a choice; listen to their people or face being replaced by others who will.”
The Path Forward
He said he is excited about all the developments and progress he has seen, specifically advances in renewable energy technology, carbon capture, technology sharing, the development of drought- and climate-resilient crops, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in climate forecasting and risk assessments, and clean transportation solutions.
Prime Minister Davis said he understands that tackling climate change presents a unique challenge, adding, “It requires us to make decisions today that may not yield immediate benefits.
“This can be difficult for leaders who are often judged by immediate results, quarterly profits, and election cycles. But this is precisely why we, as global leaders, need to reframe the narrative.
A New Narrative
“We need to demonstrate that climate action is not about sacrifice. It is about opportunity. It is about creating new industries, jobs, and pathways toward prosperity and security. It’s developing an evolved world where sustainability and economic growth go hand in hand.
“We must acknowledge that our current efforts are not enough. The reality is that climate crises do not stay inside a country’s borders. What happens in one nation impacts us all, particularly those in Small Island Developing States like mine.”
A Global Response
Prime Minister Davis said, “We need a global response that matches the scale of the crisis, one that recognizes our interconnectedness and embraces a shared responsibility for building on shared sustainability.
“It must be an international effort that transcends national interests and embraces the power of collective action. This is not the time for despair, but an opportunity to show up better for ourselves and one another.”
Conclusion
Prime Minister Davis urged the audience to imagine a world where their children inherit, not a planet in peril but one brimming with possibility.
“Picture cities designed with nature in mind, powered by clean energy, and where the quest for harmony between human progress and planetary health drives innovation. Imagine a global economy built on the principles of stewardship, where the value of our natural resources is paramount and where the pursuit of profit is aligned with the preservation of our shared home. This is the course correction that history demands of us.
“Because here’s the truth: this challenge demands that we come together and act with conviction. It’s a chance to redefine our relationship with the natural world and forge economies that are not just profitable but also sustainable and just. We can embrace a new path, one where we harness our collective ingenuity – it does not have to be a distant aspiration. Still, the very foundation upon which we engineer a brighter future,” Davis said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current state of climate change?
A: Global warming has exceeded 1.5°C across an entire year for the first time, highlighting the urgent need for drastic action.
Q: What is the impact of climate change?
A: Climate change affects not only the environment but also the economy, national security, and human health, particularly in Small Island Developing States like the Bahamas.
Q: What is the role of international cooperation in addressing climate change?
A: Global leaders must work together to develop a shared response to the crisis, recognizing the interconnectedness of the world and the need for collective action.
Q: What are the key drivers of climate action?
A: Renewable energy technology, carbon capture, technology sharing, drought- and climate-resilient crops, AI in climate forecasting and risk assessments, and clean transportation solutions are among the key drivers of climate action.
Q: What is the significance of the Inflation Reduction Act?
A: The Inflation Reduction Act is the most significant piece of climate legislation in US history, demonstrating the growing global consensus on the need for urgent action.
Q: What is the role of finance in driving climate action?
A: Multilateral development banks have tripled their climate investments over the past decade, highlighting the critical role of finance in driving this transformation.