The following speech was delivered at the “Potentials of Renewable Energy, Eco-Architecture and Global Partnerships” titled virtual panel at the IGEN Energathon2023 on May 27, 2023, which was organized by LMGlobal.Org, in partnership, with The Institution of Green Engineers | IGEN.

The Importance of Global Partnerships when Tackling Climate Change
Speech by Jonathon CUMMINGS

Good morning, everyone. It’s a real privilege to be here. First, I would like to thank the our partners for putting on this event: (The Light Millennium Organization, Earth Day Global, Energy Swaraj Foundations, Smiles4millions, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International, Foundation and Dr M.G.R Educational & Research Institute).  Events like these continue to bring forth the conversation and highlight the global imperative of us tackling climate change. It’s really a privilege to be here.  

To me, every day is Earth Day! The only true reason why we’re alive and exist is because our planet happens to have an atmosphere that fosters life. Our planet gives us the resources to nourish our bodies, build shelters and create a life for our children and our children’s children. (I’m speaking objectively here; I don’t have any children as yet)

I am here today to discuss the importance of partnerships in combating climate change and protecting our environment. As we all know, and now its proven, climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and we cannot solve it alone.

Climate change is a serious threat to our planet and our way of life. It is already causing more extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heat waves. These events are displacing people, destroying crops, and costing billions of dollars in damage.

This conversation brings me back to when I was a young boy growing up in Kingston, Jamaica. I remember in 2004, Jamaica was struck by a horrific hurricane, named Hurricane Ivan. At the time it was a category 4 hurricane. I remember at the time, I was excited not to have any school, but that was where my excitement ended. I remembered the howling winds, the flooding, the destruction of powerlines, the displaced people, and the destruction of houses. I remember after the hurricane, going out with my father to inner city communities to assess the damage and it was horrible. At the time, hurricanes like that were not a regular occurrence. Now, as time has gone on, we’re seeing more frequent hurricanes, more powerful natural disasters, and the harsher impacts of climate change.

This generation has witnessed widespread droughts throughout sub-Saharan Africa, a growing famine crisis in Ethiopia, out-of-control wildfires in Australia, rising sea levels that will threaten the existence of smaller island countries like Jamaica, and an emerging water crisis in South East Asia.  

It is imperative that all sectors unite and combat the issue of climate change. Governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia, must come together and address climate change.

Partnerships are essential to combating climate change. No one sector has all the answers to solve this problem alone. We need to work together to share resources, knowledge, and expertise.

I believe for this audience, we are aware of the role of governments, civil society, and academia in tackling climate change. That being raising awareness, pushing for climate policies, and hosting discussions with thought leaders, but for this conversation, I would like to highlight the role of the private sector in this initiative.

When it comes to engaging the private sector, it is important to understand their motivations. Oftentimes, the private sector is looking for an ROI, a return on their investment. This is understandable, after all, it’s business. We need to find ways to increase the value of the green economy and encourage more private-sector involvement in climate change initiatives.   

Some of the opportunities for the private sector to get involved in the fight against climate change are:

• Invest in renewable energy. Renewable energy is a clean and sustainable energy source that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses can invest in renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms, or they can purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs).
• Develop new technologies. The private sector can develop new technologies that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, businesses can develop more efficient ways to use energy, or they can develop new ways to capture and store carbon dioxide. They could even invest in technologies that could do cloud seeding, which can manipulate the environment to create rain. That’s an example. With the advent of AI, businesses can now fast-track new technologies, predict trends, and even manipulate the technology assisting in reversing negative climate trends, such as the melting of the ice caps.
• Make their operations more sustainable. Businesses can make their operations more sustainable by reducing their energy consumption, water consumption, and waste production. They can also use more sustainable materials and practices. This in turn will lower their overhead costs, saves money, and reduce their carbon footprint.

The private sector has a critical role to play in combating climate change. By investing in renewable energy, developing new technologies, and making their operations more sustainable, businesses can help to create a more sustainable future for our planet.

I believe the United Nations plays an essential role in coordinating global efforts to combat climate change. Regardless of what people may say about the UN, it is the only proven global platform that brings together over 190 countries together. There is nothing else like it. The convening power of the UN is one of our world’s greatest assets in tackling global issues. I believe in the importance of the UN, the same way that I believe the only truly effective way to tackle this global issue is through effective partnerships. 

The future of the world depends on our ability to combat climate change. The future of our children and our children’s children depends on it.

Thank you for having me.

Definition of the Panel: In support of the overarching theme of IGEN ENERGATHON 2023 along with #EarthDay, the LMGlobal.Org has brought a Turkish perspective into the international spectrum on Renewable Energy in connection with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) #7: Affordable and Clean Energy, along with, reference to the SDG#15: Life on Land in connection with the Eco-Architecture, and SDG#17: Global Partnerships.
In this line, in connection with Earth Day and SDG 17 Global Partnerships; Jonathon Cummings, Youth Speaker focused on “The Importance of Global Partnerships when Tackling Climate Change”, along with he focused on the importance of the private sector involvement in renewable energy.
On behalf of the LMGlobal.Org, the panel was organized and moderated by Bircan Ünver on May 27, 2023.\