Latest news with #UNClimateSummit
The Guardian
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Chris Bowen mocks Liberals' equivocation on ‘bare minimum' target of net zero by 2050
Chris Bowen has ridiculed the Liberal party for putting net zero by 2050 up for review after its election defeat, comparing it to putting the 'sky being blue' up for debate. The climate change and energy minister also warned that breaking Australia's bi-partisan commitment to the 'bare minimum' emissions target risked creating a sovereign risk for renewables investors. The new Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, on Tuesday left the door open to walking away from net zero, after declaring all the party's policies would be reviewed after the disastrous election result. Ley said she would not ignite a fresh 'climate war', insisting there would be 'sound, sensible consultation' on the party's future climate and energy policies. On Wednesday, Bowen said Ley's assurance was 'difficult to reconcile'. 'I mean, if you're going to review net zero, I'm sorry, you're keeping the climate wars going,' he told reporters in Canberra. 'Particularly if you decide to scrap net zero – that's keeping the climate wars going.' Ahead of the 2021 UN climate summit, then prime minister Scott Morrison signed the Coalition up to net zero by 2050 as Australia faced intense pressure to raise its game. Peter Dutton and the Nationals leader, David Littleproud, retained the commitment in the previous term, with nuclear power pitched as the key to achieving the target. But the Coalition's support for the policy is now up in the air, with the Nationals also set to review its position – even after senator Matt Canavan failed in his bid to replace Littleproud on a platform of dumping net zero. As of June last year, 104 countries had signed up to the target. Bowen said that if the Liberals ultimately decided to abandon the target, it would prove Canavan and his allies were 'calling the shots'. 'Net zero by 2050 is not a policy, it's the bare minimum framework that you have to work under,' he said. 'If Sussan Ley is saying that's up for review, she might as well say 'the sun is coming up tomorrow is up for review', or the 'sky being blue is up for review'.' The re-elected Albanese government has its own emissions debate to resolve, with a 2035 target due later this year. Bowen confirmed he was still awaiting Climate Change Authority advice on the new target, which was originally due in February but was delayed to allow time to assess the impact of Donald Trump's return. He could not provide a timeframe for a decision but said the target would be released 'well and truly' before the next UN climate summit in Belém, Brazil, in November. Australia is vying with Turkey to host next year's COP31 summit, with a decision on the successful bidder expected within months. The global climate negotiations and trade show would be a major coup for Australia, drawing tens of thousands of people to Albanese's preferred host city, Adelaide. As climate change minister of the host nation, Bowen would be the natural choice for COP president, a rotating role that would put him in charge of organising and running the talks. Asked on Wednesday if he had turned his mind to the position, Bowen said: 'That's something we'll have more to say when the bid is confirmed'. In anticipation of a successful COP bid, Albanese created a new climate related-special envoy role – to be filled by Labor MP Kate Thwaites – to help lighten the load on Bowen. Josh Wilson, as the assistant minister for climate change and energy, would also help out.
Shafaq News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
No clearance for Netanyahu: Turkiye dismisses reports
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Turkiye rejected reports claiming it had approved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's use of Turkish airspace during his upcoming visit to Azerbaijan. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli dismissed the allegations as 'completely unfounded,' clarifying that Ankara had received no formal request from Israeli authorities. The statement follows a wave of speculation across news outlets and social media platforms, which suggested Turkiye had granted overflight permission at the request of Baku. Netanyahu is expected to visit Azerbaijan between May 7 and 11. Notably, in November 2024, Turkish authorities reportedly blocked Israeli President Isaac Herzog's plane from transiting Turkish airspace en route to the UN Climate Summit in Azerbaijan. Tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv have also intensified in recent months. In April 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the official suspension of diplomatic and trade ties with Israel, citing the ongoing war in Gaza. 'There will be no normalization with Israel until a ceasefire is achieved,' Fidan told CNN Türk, accusing Netanyahu of 'defying the entire world' with US backing and urging Washington to restrain him.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
What Pope Francis Taught Us About Courage And The Silent Majority
Pope Francis led with moral courage, not perfection—inviting the silent majority to build bridges, ... More embrace pragmatic idealism, and act on our shared stake in each other. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images) In an era defined by division and distrust, it's rare to find a leader who earns the respect of both admirers and critics. Yet as Pope Francis is laid to rest, tributes from across political, religious, and cultural lines make one thing clear: he was that kind of leader—admired not for perfection, but for his moral courage—grounded in realism and hope, animated by pragmatic idealism, and defined by a tenacity to bring people together, even in the face of his own flaws. To be sure, Pope Francis was not without controversy. His push to reorient the Church toward greater inclusion inspired many, but also provoked resistance. Traditionalists feared he blurred doctrinal lines. Progressives often wished he moved faster on issues like women's leadership or LGBTQ inclusion. Secular critics questioned his views on capitalism and abortion. What made Francis arguably unique, especially in these divided times, was his ability to walk a tightrope. He pursued change not just by edict, but by example. He challenged all sides to listen, to build bridges, and to remember: progress isn't about winning ideological battles; it's about refusing to let the perfect become the enemy of the good. Take the 2023 UN Climate Summit. There, he called on world leaders to stop fueling ideological 'fan bases' and start engaging in 'good politics.' He warned against performative outrage and purity tests—and instead urged us to find common cause. 'Let us leave behind our divisions and unite our forces,' he said. 'With God's help, let us emerge from the dark night of wars and environmental devastation in order to turn our common future into the dawn of a new and radiant day.' It was a clear call to reject the fray and embrace the possible. This was not an isolated moment. Whether championing global vaccine access during the pandemic, mobilizing philanthropists to fight hunger, or opening the door to blessings for same-sex couples, Francis consistently chose the possible over the perfect. One telling example: his interfaith prayers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While intended as a gesture of solidarity, they drew condemnation from some within the Church who deemed it blasphemous. His response was characteristically unflinching: 'If you think we're all praying to different gods, you've missed the point.' Looking at such soaring rhetoric—his appeals to our better angels—it's perhaps easy to dismiss it as idealistic, old-fashioned, or detached from today's messy realities. But perhaps Pope Francis was more in tune with public sentiment than many assumed. That might explain the outpouring of praise, even from those who often disagreed with his positions. Today, political self-interest dominates the discourse. Aid budgets are slashed under the guise of 'national security.' The language of solidarity has been replaced by the language of transactional benefit. And yet, despite this, the data tells a different story. Studies show that much of our unease stems not from reality, but from misplaced pessimism—we consistently underestimate the decency of others. The latest World Happiness Report, for example, found that people are far more likely to return a lost wallet than we assume. In other words, we expect selfishness, but often encounter solidarity. Nowhere is this more evident than on the issue of climate change—an area Pope Francis championed with urgency and moral clarity. A global survey published by The Guardian, covering 125 countries, found that 89% of people believe their governments should do more to combat climate change. Yet most people think they're in the minority. This 'spiral of silence' hides a powerful truth: there is far more support for collective action than many of us realize. The same study found that 69% of people would contribute 1% of their income to climate action—yet respondents thought only 43% of others would do the same. That gap between perception and reality defines the untapped 'silent majority' Francis spoke to: people who care, but who may not yet recognize their own collective power. He was not the first to tap into this spirit. In his belief in the better angels of our nature, Francis echoed a lineage of pragmatic idealists—from Benjamin Franklin's call to hang together or hang separately, to JFK's exhortation to serve the common good. Like his namesake, Francis of Assisi, he reminded us that true change is relational—it comes not from shouting louder, but from walking with others, even those we disagree with. And there's hunger for that kind of leadership. According to More in Common US, 74% of Americans say they want to work with others to improve their community—yet only 17% have done so in the past year. The desire is there, but the activation is missing. People crave purpose and connection, but they hesitate—especially when it means working across lines of difference. Leaders like Francis showed us what's possible when we step outside our comfort zones, sit with those who challenge us, and still find common ground. If we can do that—if we can reclaim our shared stake in each other—then maybe we can begin to reverse more than just our divisions. The World Happiness Report also shows that believing in the goodness of others actually increases our own wellbeing. Francis understood that. He believed in the moral potential of the 'silent majority'—and he challenged us to act on it, not just for the sake of others, but for our own well-being. As one reflection often (though loosely) attributed to him puts it: 'Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you... Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely.' Whether or not those were his exact words, the sentiment captures something essential: renewal doesn't begin in politics—it begins in how we choose to show up for one another. So let's honor Pope Francis not just with eulogies, but with action. Volunteer. Advocate. Join forces with those you don't agree with. Shift from ideas to impact. Because in a world on fire, as Pope Francis showed us, coming together might just be the most radical thing we can do.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Protester breaches Trump Tower to deface presidential placard
An environmental protestor vandalized a presidential placard in New York City 's Trump Tower in a bold act of rebellion against the administration. Nathaniel Smith, 36, of Brooklyn, proudly sported a black t-shirt reading 'Join, or Die' as he tarnished Donald Trump 's presidential plaque with neon green spray paint on Wednesday around noon, according to NYPD. The protester, a member of UK-founded global environmental group Extinction Rebellion, was seen calmly spraying 'USA' across the 45th president's placard before kneeling on the ground in front of his work as spectators watched in awe. Extinction Rebellion told the spray paint was 'removable chalk' and Smith's graffiti was 'a plea for the country to transcend the failing government institutions that brought the country to the current point of climate collapse.' Other members of the self-proclaimed 'civil disobedience' organization were also inside the Midtown building as Smith defaced the property, taking photos and videos of him in action. 'I did this because I am an American. It is my duty to stand up for my country, and my Earth, when a government becomes destructive of our right to Life,' Smith said in a statement shared with 'Donald Trump and the regime of private interests he works for - who donate equally to each party - are destructive of your inalienable right to Life.' Just as Secret Service agents approached the protestor, he pulled out a yellow banner reading '4°= Game Over' over Extinction Rebellion's logo. The '4°' message refers to concerns about global temperatures rising, resulting in irreversible climate consequences. According to the UN Climate Summit, a four-degree Celsius global temperature increase could lead to six to 14 meters of sea level rise over several hundred years. These rising sea levels would 'inundate all the world's coastal city locations,' the summit wrote in 2023. After a few moments he was swarmed by police officers who handcuffed the brazen demonstrator and pulled him away from the vandalized presidential symbol. 'This is your country!' Smith shouted while being escorted out of Trump Tower as the officers instructed the intrigued crowd to clear out. 'This is our planet, this is our cannot ruin it without comment, they are ruining the planet for profit.' He was charged with making graffiti, possession graffiti instruments and criminal tampering in the third degree, the NYPD told Smith is still in custody as of Wednesday evening, according to the climate group. Extinction Rebellion has become characterized by the shock-tactics its activists use to capture the attention of the public and the media. In another jaw-dropping stunt, protestors spray painted 'f*ck DOGE!' and 'DOGE' being crossed out on the windows of Tesla's Manhattan showroom on Tuesday. 'F*ck DOGE! We do not consent to our government's reckless behavior. The social contract is broken,' the group wrote on Instagram. 'We refuse to be bystanders like the Democrats, we refuse to wait for the climate and ecological emergency to proceed beyond the point of no return.' Extinction Rebellion has made it clear their efforts are not specifically aimed at Trump, but at any political figure that is not tackling environmental issues or is contributing to them. In his reflective statement shared with about the Wednesday protest, Smith asserted that 'switching blue is not the solve' to the climate crisis. 'All American political parties are equally complicit in inaction which has brought us to this point,' he said. 'Kamala Harris' climate platform was fracked gas, much deadlier than regular.'
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Youth: the invaluable asset of the nation
The writer is an educationist based in Larkana. She can be contacted at sairasamo88@ Listen to article Youth is nature's rich, beautiful and vibrant tapestry, woven with the threads of dreams, emotions and boundless energy — transcending the vigour of age and the aged alike. This period of life is marked by a thirst for knowledge, willingness to experience and a drive to explore countless ways to overcome challenges. With heightened emotional capacity, youth can rise to the heights of the Himalayas - when given the chance. Innovation and invention are deeply rooted in their minds. Competence, potential and mindfulness are among the key traits that help them adapt to changing conditions and challenge the status quo. The mind becomes a fertile ground for learning and growth during youth. Hence, they excel in all fields. Let's take a glance at history, which highlights the successful youth who became symbols of excellence through their skills. Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook at the age of 19, connecting the world with just a click. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, spent his teenage years immersed in learning to code. Other notable young achievers include Arfa Karim, who became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional in 2004. She represented Pakistan at international forums and received the prestigious Presidential Pride of Performance award in 2005. She became a symbol of pride for Pakistan by setting a world record at such a young age. Greta Thunberg, one of the world's best-known climate change campaigners, started her activism at 15 by protesting outside the Swedish Parliament. Her powerful speech at the UN Climate Summit inspired millions. In an interview with Time magazine, she stated, "We can't just continue living as if there was no tomorrow, because there is a tomorrow." At the age of 11, Marley Dias was frustrated that most children's books lacked cultural diversity. She launched the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign to collect and donate books that represented Black girls - and she succeeded in making a difference. While researching youth achievements online, I came across a powerful statement: "WE CAN". History is filled with countless examples of young individuals who broke barriers with their spirit and left a legacy. Their emotional strength often earned them honorary titles and recognition. According to a UNDP report, youth make up 64% of Pakistan's population — a surprising and valuable proportion. They are the country's greatest resource. The youth of Pakistan can excel in education, economy and social development if given access to quality education. With self-awareness and opportunity, they will prove their worth, just like the historically celebrated youth of our past. Allama Iqbal, the great poet and philosopher, inspired youth through his poetry on khudi (selfhood), instilling belief in self-determination during the struggle for independence. He powerfully wrote: Uss qoum ko shamsheer ki haajat nahi rehti, Ho jis qoum ke jawano ki khudi soorat-e-foulad i.e. a nation whose youth are endowed with a self as strong and hard as steel needs no swords in battle. Pakistan's independence was fueled by the courageous efforts of its youth. The All India Muslim Students Federation, established in 1937, united Muslim students with a shared vision of a separate homeland. Their passion was recognised by political leaders, who saw them as future leaders of the independence movement. It is clear that Pakistan was achieved through the bold initiatives of youth, in particular. Today, the country faces critical challenges. Youth must once again be at the forefront. They should be given opportunities to showcase their technological and creative skills. If the government aims to uplift the nation's economic and social conditions, it must prioritise employment generation on a large scale. Unemployment has dampened the spirit of the youth. Prioritising young leaders will pave the way for a thriving nation. The asset should not go in vain. Let's entrust the youth with responsibility of uplifting the nation because their mettle is observed in "WE CAN".
