The Politics Behind 1.5°C

Amid ongoing global conflicts and shifting political priorities, COP30 in Brazil faces the uphill task of reigniting stalled climate action. The article paints a vivid picture of the growing disconnect between scientific warnings and policy decisions— especially on emission reductions, adaptation funding, and renewable energy targets. With the world's biggest polluters still holding back updated pledges and climate funds falling far short, it emphasizes that only strong global cooperation, creative financing solutions, and genuine political will can keep the 1.5°C goal alive and prevent climate ambitions from slipping away.

- Mollah Amzad Hossain & Afroza Akther Pervin

The world today is gripped by war, division, and a renewed struggle for dominance. The Middle East remains on edge, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows no sign of resolution. As a result, the focus of developed nations has increasingly shifted toward military buildup and defense expansion rather than global cooperation. Once the torchbearers of climate ambition, these countries are now channeling resources into security and geopolitical influence. The return of protectionist trade policies, such as former U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures, has further rattled the global economy and deepened uncertainty. Adding to this drift, the United States has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement for the second time, leaving a troubling void in global climate leadership.

Against this turbulent backdrop, the world's attention is now turning to the Brazilian city of Belém, located in the heart of the Amazon, where leaders and negotiators will gather under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30). Beginning on November 10, the summit will aim to find common ground on how humanity can shield itself from the escalating threats of climate change and pollution. The venue itself - the Amazon rainforest, often called the “lungs of the planet” - is a poignant reminder of what is at stake.