COP26 is the last chance to save humanity, according to the Scottish Greens. The UN says there is no time for delay if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change. US President Joe Biden is coming, as are leaders from across Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. Even the Queen reportedly said she was fed up of our politicians talking but not acting.
No pressure then, Glasgow, as the world's leaders (minus a couple of very notable absentees – hello China, hello Russia) arrive in the city for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in a week's time.
Here at The Herald, we have been preparing for the summit for months. Our reporters, specialists, contributors and columnists are ready to bring you expert analysis on all the big talking points over the two-week summit.
We will endeavour to report clearly on the huge issues facing humankind. How do we move towards net zero without destroying the world's economies? How do we pay for, in the words of the Scottish Government, a just transition to a fairer, greener future for all in a way that delivers fairness and tackles inequality and injustice? And what can each of us do?
These are fiendishly complicated questions, with no easy answers. That's why we'll be bringing you indepth reporting and analysis from experts in the field without spin or sensational doom-mongering.
Climate change is real, of that there can be no doubt. The vast majority of scientists – 97 per cent agree that humans are causing global warming and climate change, according to NASA (not known for being bleeding heart Greens).
As we have been reporting all week in our How Green is Scotland? investigations, our country has much to do. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has damned more than 400 industrial sites as “unsatisfactory” on pollution; more than 1,100 natural habitats and wildlife species have been judged at risk; and that our rivers and lochs are in the worst state on record, with the number of waterways categorised as “bad” having doubled in the past couple of years.
But there's no need to despair. Humanity's greatest gift is our ability to change and adapt.
Of course, we'll not be forgetting our duty to keep you informed of all the run of the mill news events that affect readers' daily lives. Road closures, the impact of rail and bus strikes and the inevitable disruption caused by protesters trying to pressure the politicians to act swiftly and decisively.
To help you keep in touch, each day we will be producing a COP26 daily email with all you need to know – see heraldscotland.com for details on how to sign up. It's free. And from today, there will be a live online blog (modern chat for a rolling update) on travel problems around Glasgow.
From a parochial point of view, this summit could change perceptions of Glasgow across the world. If – and it's a big if – world leaders can agree the changes we need to curb climate change, having the name of Glasgow attached to that is worth all the money in the world. From No Mean City to Green City in one fell swoop.
It's going to be a busy couple of weeks. We'll see you on the other side.
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