Cleveland delegate to COP26 climate conference discusses work ahead that is needed

The United National global climate summit known as COP26 ended in Glasgow, Scotland last week.  Organizers framed the conference as a last, best opportunity to save the planet from the worst impacts of climate change.

Nearly 200 countries signed on to a final agreement in Glasgow pledging to work together and agreeing that more needed to be done to prevent global temperatures from rising further and avert catastrophic consequences.  Scientists say time to do so is running short. Among some of the key items in the final Glasgow agreement, for the first time the need to move away from fossil fuels, especially coal, was explicitly mentioned.  But the language in the final agreement was weakened several times.  The final agreement also did not include a fund for paying for the loss and damage already caused by climate change. 

Ahead we talk to a Cleveland delegate to the conference about the experience and reaction to what was accomplished and the work left to do.

We are just over a week until Thanksgiving.  With rising prices and supply chains still disrupted due to the pandemic, the cost for this year’s holiday meal is expected to be sharply higher than years past.  That’s even if you can find all the items you need for the meal. All the same stressors on the food supply and delivery chain are also impacting the nation’s food banks.  These challenges come as food banks are still providing help to more people and families due to the economic impacts of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created long-lasting impacts to the workforce with employers finding it more difficult to fill open positions. Last month, the Ohio Department of Transportation said it needed 500 plow drivers for the winter season ahead, but the agency said it was having trouble filling those seasonal jobs. Ready or not, winter weather is here.

Thanksgiving is also nearly here bringing with it a busy travel period next week.  AAA says more 53 million Americans will travel for the holiday this year---numbers not seen since before the pandemic.  The combination of potential winter weather with a heavy holiday travel week will mean drivers will need to keep safety in mind and pack their patience as they head out to their Thanksgiving destinations.

John Mitterholzer, Program Director for Climate and Environmental Justice,  Gund Foundation  
Crystal Davis, Vice President of Policy & Strategic Engagement, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Ohio Climate Justice Fund Advisory Board  
Bryan Mark, Ph.D., Director, State Climate Office of Ohio 
Kristin Warzocha, President & CEO, Greater Cleveland Food Bank  
Matt Bruning, Statewide Press Secretary, ODOT Central Office  
Amanda McFarland, Northeast Ohio Public Information Officer, ODOT