While the 28e Conference of the Parties (COP) is ending, the next edition is already coming, the result of an incessant and dizzying cycle. These summits on climate change follow one another at a dizzying pace, plunging us into a spiral of lukewarm – and often unfulfilled – commitments despite the appropriate applause that punctuates each international meeting.
Since the creation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988, and after 28 meetings, skepticism seems the natural response to the flagrant ineffectiveness of the concrete measures taken so far. It becomes obvious that our comfort weighs heavily. The changes required to ensure a sustainable future are seen as too demanding to be truly tackled with the courage and determination needed.
As each crucial summit approaches, we harbor the faint hope of a bold initiative by the participating nations, one capable of reversing the disastrous course of events. Unfortunately, this hope is systematically undermined by the reality of the facts, which plunges us into a state of bitter and persistent disappointment.
Let us recognize it bluntly: the scale of the measures necessary to avoid crossing the critical threshold of 1.5°C of global warming is so considerable that their total implementation could cause an economic and social upheaval of unprecedented magnitude. . Inaction is paradoxically not much more encouraging, because it leads us towards a future where meteorological disasters will multiply, where ecosystems and biodiversity will collapse, inevitably threatening the very existence of life on our planet.
However, it is not a question of giving up. It nevertheless becomes imperative to refocus our efforts. Instead of focusing all our energy on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is crucial to also prepare for future challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a taste of what lies ahead. Future climate disruptions will shake our systems to such an extent that we will have to learn to live in a world of constant upheaval.
The response to the pandemic has mostly been imbued with a certain reactivity. It has highlighted our lack of preparation and, more fundamentally, the lack of resilience of our societies. Would it not be wise to learn from this revealing experience and act without delay in favor of adaptation strategies in the face of the vagaries of the climate?
While we are still struggling to recover from the economic and social consequences of the pandemic, it is reasonable to expect that the disruptions caused by climate change will be even more devastating. Without wanting to play the prophets of doom, if you think that the soaring cost of living is unbearable, know that we are only at the beginning. Faced with this reality, some will feel challenged by right-wing populist speeches, naively convinced that these political illusionists will be able to restore a semblance of normality. But the truth is that we are already immersed in this new normal.
Those who dream of turning back the clock will only make the situation worse, especially for the most vulnerable. Fortunately, it is at the municipal level that our future is truly at stake. This is indeed where concrete solutions take root and there again where the most significant changes can be made.
Each season brings us tangible evidence. Our urban, peri -urban and rural systems already feel the effects of climate mutations. This reality confronts us with a clear forecast: we must act in a determined way to strengthen the resilience of our living environments. It is a question of ensuring the sustainability and balance of our societies in the face of the climatic challenges which are emerging. This task, although complex, is essential to maintain harmony between our environment and our communities.
UN-Habitat clearly defines resilience as the capacity of any municipal system and its inhabitants to face crises and their consequences, while adapting positively and transforming to become sustainable. A resilient city assesses, plans, and takes action to prepare for and respond to all hazards—whether sudden or slow-onset, anticipated or unanticipated.
In essence, it is about favoring anticipation rather than reaction. This underlying trend, which permeates cities worldwide, transcends national, regional and political borders. Municipal officials from around the world are joining forces to prepare more effectively for extreme weather hazards. Of course, this will require significant investment, but the key lies in adopting new methods, transforming territorial planning and realizing that local governments are the pillars of our sustainable future.
Hence the growing understanding among many municipal elected officials that urban diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral exchanges, communities of best practices and collaboration between territories are essential. Because repeating the same actions will always give the same results! Observing and drawing inspiration from international best practices is therefore crucial to accelerate our ecological transition.
CEO of the Institute of Resilience and Urban Innovation, professor and associate researcher, François William Croteau was mayor of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie.