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"We need a stark reality check" – My Ingmar reflections on COP29


https://youtu.be/4_eKsRRmgv8?si=1VfwTz4lyvrWXlkY



As I write this, the outcome of COP29 is still unclear. It has been two very intense week, both for us at We Don’t Have Time, but also for the negotiators, and I leave Baku with a bag of very mixed feelings.

On one hand, there’s something profoundly inspiring about seeing world leaders come together under one roof, attempting to bridge divides, and negotiate solutions. Adding to this, the presence of 3,000 journalists from every corner of the world underscores the global importance of what’s unfolding here.
But while progress will be made, we all know that is not going to be enough. This is the 29th climate summit, and emissions continue to rise. That’s a gut punch, and we need to acknowledge it.
Despite this, COP29 was buzzing with positive energy. People were fired up about amazing solutions, about the energy transition, and the cuting-edge satellite technology that will help us cut methane emissions, and more.
Another oddity struck me—there was almost no mention of Donald Trump. At first, I saw this as a sign of resilience: changemakers refusing to let the next U.S. president derail their momentum. But as negotiations dragged on, it felt bizarre not to address the elephant in the room. The world’s largest economy is on the brink of having a climate denier as president—someone poised to pull out of the Paris Agreement once more. COP29 may, in fact, go down in history as the last summit with U.S. participation while we still had a chance to stay within safe temperature limits.
It dawned on me that many are already shifting their focus to COP30 in Brazil, branding it as the "really important one." This mindset is dangerous. We don’t have time to waste another year. The political landscape will only get tougher a year from now.
We cannot only focus on the negative, that wont get us nowhere. But neither can we only focus on the positive We need a stark reality check. COP meetings are not delivering what’s required to halve emissions by 2030. Only 6% of leading climate scientists believe we’ll achieve this. Even impact investors—those putting their money on the line—are losing faith.
So, what can we do? At COP29, We Don’t Have Time launched the #BuyMoreTime campaign—a call for action that you can join today. By signing our letter, you can push for legally binding agreements on urgent climate solutions. Read more about this campaign below.



But the most powerful Individual action you can take is to Move your Money. You can move your savings and pension funds from banks that support fossil fuels to those that champion green solutions. You can choose sustainable options when you shop and invest. On our #MoveTheMoney site you can find hands-on-information on how to this, as an individual, as a company and as an investor.



Meetings won’t solve the climate crisis—people will. Those people are you, me, and everyone around us. Together, we hold the power to drive change. But we don’t have time to wait
  • Patrick Kiash

    1 w

    Your parting shot speaks volume. Those people are you, me, and everyone around us. Our choices matters. Wish the conscience of many will opt for the right choice.

    • Kevin

      1 w

      While it may be the last COP the US shows up ,we should not relent in our resolve to push for the climate solutions we seek. The climate denier problem will be glaring in our faces for the next four years but our resolve remains steadfast.

      1
      • Johan Ayiter

        1 w

        Dear Mr Rentzhog, I have listened to you many times in this impossible journey in and around Baku, where unfortunately not all the countries of our world were present, from all richer nations we heard some voices, as you also agree, which will never be heard if such a gathering was never made possible, but having said that, you should be also aware of it from the beginning of your interest over Climate Change problems and all the catastrophic events accompanying it, that we, anyone, any how, we could never and never be able to change anything by using any financial means to change anything. As the final decision of this conference is also around lots of money promised to solve the present problems of this really poor world, not really poor in assets mainly but in understanding, feeling, needing each other, having compassion for any other country in much greater difficulties than yourself, trying to love each other without having any prejudices, either historically driven or biased forever through any religious different views, if you can really understand this reality that only material means could and would never be able to solve anything in the coming decennia, if of course this earth with all its population could survive as long as a decennia long, if and only if there is a complete change of mentality in each of us towards the Only Creator of this world as well as everything seen and unseen, that we believers are calling the Holy God, and if not in a real emergency way, we don’t go deep enough in the teachings of Jesus Christ the founder of the Christian belief, which is based not on material things that this world offers against money, but about spiritual things, Heavenly and not temporary as the rest, but endless satisfying and life giving for everyone who believes in Him, I can easily imagine that, being Swedish you don’t feel any interests in such “religious abracadabra” but if the people living on this earth can not get connected by such a general concept they will never be able to stek out their necks for anyone else and because money, even in trillions of $$$$, will never help, we will perish altogether very soon. I recommend to read my book, “ The Beginnings, The Dilemmas, The Solutions, The Glorious Finale” which is published this year, as an eyeopener. With all my thanks for all your work to keep us informed and be happy that we are still alive. By the way never again call the new President of USA Mr Donald Duck even by mistake, he is not the only person willing to leave the Paris Agreement, be careful please. Best regards. Johan Ayiter

        3
        • Kelvin Thuranira kaberia

          1 w

          It's never going to be easy,,,,,the road to success has its challenges,,,all we need is to overcome those challenges

          • Ann Nyambura

            1 w

            COP29 was a reminder that the political and economic realities are tough

            1
            • Gorffly mokua

              1 w

              Your reflections on COP29 capture the complexity of the moment perfectly. Let's channel all our energy into actionable change, rather than waiting for COP30. Time is of the essence!

              1

              Re-watch all our COP29 broadcasts

              We need to stop methane and #BuyMoreTime