As the world braces for the COP28 in Dubai, a significant development has caught the attention of climate advocates and critics alike. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, alongside Chilean President Gabriel Boric, is set to embark on a journey to Antarctica.
Where?
Yes.
Antarctica ...
... a questionable detour, if you ask me, before flying across the planet to sandy oil-rich Dubai to save the planet from climatic armageddon... (anyone seeing the irony here?)
I had fun calculating the carbon emissions of a trip to Chile and then Dubai. So, assuming Antonio takes off from his office in New York (obviously, his agenda and entourage would make this less straightforward than this... but we are just calculating his trip to Antarctica and then Dubai):
New York to Santiago, Chile: This is the first leg of the journey.
Santiago to a Chilean Antarctic Base: The most common departure point for flights to Antarctic bases from Chile is Punta Arenas. We'll assume the journey goes from Santiago to Punta Arenas, and then to a Chilean base in Antarctica (such as Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva on King George Island).
Return to Santiago: This involves traveling back from the Antarctic base to Punta Arenas and then to Santiago.
Santiago to Dubai: The final leg of the journey.
The carbon emissions for a trip from New York to a Chilean Antarctic base and then to Dubai amount to 2,781.9 kilograms of CO2, which is roughly 43.5% of the average European's annual carbon footprint.
This expedition, aimed at witnessing the harrowing impacts of climate change, is meant to serve as a prelude to the critical discussions that will shape the global response to this existential crisis.
Guterres’ mission to observe the rapidly melting ice firsthand aligns with his role as a vanguard of global climate advocacy.
So what's the the play here?
To be fair, this visual testimony of climate change's devastating effects could add a powerful narrative force to the discussions at the upcoming climate summit. Yet, this commendable intention is not without its complexities. The trip to the remote and fragile ecosystem of Antarctica ironically contributes to the very carbon emissions that are a catalyst for the climate crisis.
This dichotomy between experiencing the impacts of climate change and the environmental cost of such expeditions is a paradox that warrants careful consideration.
As we delve deeper into this situation, we uncover a broader debate about the balance between advocacy and its environmental implications.
In an era where digital technology has revolutionized communication, we must ask ourselves: Are there more sustainable ways to bring about awareness and incite action without exacerbating the problem?
This question is particularly pertinent for leaders like Guterres and Boric, whose decisions and actions should set an example for the rest of the world.
Guterres’ intent to use his Antarctic experience to urge for significant action at COP28 underscores the urgency of the situation. However, it also highlights the need for innovative approaches that minimize the environmental impact of climate advocacy. As we navigate this complex landscape, the adoption of sustainable practices that align with environmental responsibility becomes increasingly crucial.
And here's the thing...
The real challenge, as Guterres and Boric prepare for their Antarctic journey, lies in addressing the complex geopolitical and technological challenges that the climate crisis presents.
The upcoming COP28 will be a testing ground for global leadership in climate action.
Leaders will need to strategize on bridging divides, particularly with nations opposed to certain environmental policies, and on fostering collaborative solutions that address the investment disparities in renewable energy and the prolongation of fossil fuel usage through carbon-capture technology.
So back to beginning; Antarctic voyage of Guterres and Boric, while symbolically powerful, raises critical questions about the most effective and responsible ways to advocate for climate action.
As they romantically set sail towards the melting glaciers, and admire the pretty penguins one hopes that their journey will not only bring back vivid images of a changing world but also inspire a more sustainable and impactful approach to global climate leadership.
Too little? Yes.
Too late? Definitely.
And in a final, slightly sarcastic nod to the irony of it all, one can't help but wonder:
Do Guterres and Boric really need to trek all the way to Antarctica to see penguins and melting glaciers to tell us at COP28 that we're in deep trouble?
Perhaps their time and resources would be better spent tackling the nitty-gritty of climate diplomacy, like smoothing over the rifts with India and China over coal power, grappling with the U.S.'s nuclear fusion ambitions to soon be announced, or questioning why petrostates' investments in renewables are a mere drop in the ocean compared to their fossil fuel ventures.
Maybe, just maybe, these are the pressing issues that demand our leaders' attention, rather than a scenic, albeit impactful, trip to our world's icy south.