The world is confronting the catastrophic effects of climate change and is at a crossroads. It is more important than ever for the international community to come together and work together to discover long-term solutions that might lessen the coming disaster in light of this urgent global problem. Countries may combine their resources and experience to address the complex issues posed by climate change by coordinating their efforts.

The effects of climate change are being felt all across the world; it is no longer a theoretical concern. Nations must unite and demonstrate solidarity in the face of this grave calamity. The new piece highlights the severity of the problem and stresses the need to adjust to the changing environment, whereas the old essay emphasised the necessity for collaboration.

A thorough awareness of the hazards and vulnerabilities that various areas confront is a necessary first step in the collaborative effort to combat climate change. Countries may create strategies for resilience and adaptation measures to protect populations from the negative consequences of climate change by combining their resources and expertise. By working together on a global scale, we can strengthen our response to climate change and create a more resilient and sustainable environment for coming generations.

Need for international collaboration

We must pave the way for a more sustainable and greener future as the globe struggles with the ever-present danger of climate change. While the original essay emphasised the value of international cooperation, the revised piece places more emphasis on the need of collaboration to bring about revolutionary change.

The world can work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and switch to renewable energy sources by mobilising resources, exchanging cutting-edge technology, and enacting new legislation. In addition to lessening the effects of climate change, this cooperative endeavour will open the door for the development of a more resilient and environmentally friendly world.

Long before it began, COP28 was the subject of a contentious debate. Supporters of summit president Sultan Al Jaber contended that his experience leading the UAE's national oil company presented a clear conflict of interest and that his background in the oil industry would help him better align the fossil fuel sector with climate commitments. Not surprisingly, there is considerable disagreement about the conclusions of the climate summit.

The main attention has been on a historic agreement that, for the first time, requires all countries to move away from fossil fuels. Hailed for tackling the root cause of the climate disaster at last, it upholds the pledge to triple the amount of renewable energy produced globally and to keep global warming to 1.5C above preindustrial levels. It has, however, also drawn harsh criticism for omitting any clear mention of the phase-out of fossil fuels and for having many gaps that would let many of the most polluting nations go on with business as usual.

Although we are grateful that the most recent COP28 agreement acknowledges fossil fuels' responsibility at last, words alone are no longer sufficient; concrete, measurable actions must be taken in response. 

Lack of clarity on climate financing 

Advocates for climate justice and leaders of countries that are at risk from climate change have also voiced dissatisfaction with the agreement's lack of clarity about climate financing, even though it is acknowledged that trillions of dollars would be required. Furthermore, the money donated so far is but a drop in the ocean, even if the much-required loss and damage fund has now been operationalized. Notably, historical culpability for the climatic collapse is also not acknowledged. Does this imply that wealthier nations, who have benefited financially from the burning of fossil fuels, are now unwilling to execute their duty to assist poorer nations in confronting and adjusting to a climatic problem that they have contributed in causing?

For nations like Bangladesh, it is an issue of concern since it will be difficult to successfully carry out national climate action plans for adaptation and mitigation in the absence of explicit financial commitments from wealthier nations. The developed world's appalling lack of urgency and political will to support global action has persisted through the years, notwithstanding the severity of the climate catastrophe. Although it is commendable that the most recent COP28 agreement acknowledges the responsibility of fossil fuels, we must emphasise that words alone are no longer sufficient; actionable, measurable steps must now be taken to support these declarations.

(The author is an associate professor at the Department of Political Science, Mashuddi Razia College,  Tangail, Bangladesh. Views are personal. He can be contacted at lalmialal1980@gmail.com)