COP26: Barack Obama calls on states to do more and pays tribute to young people
Former US President Barack Obama speaking at COP26 in Glasgow, November 8, 2021. AP - Alberto Pezzali
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The second week of the COP26 in Glasgow opened with a Monday dedicated to adaptation.
Developing countries are still waiting for the $ 100 billion originally promised for 2020 to help them cope with the consequences of climate change.
No announcement was made during the first week, when the urgency is there.
This was the opinion of the distinguished guest of the day, former US President Barak Obama: most countries lacked "
ambition
" to implement the Paris Agreement.
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With our special correspondent in Glasgow,
Christophe Paget
Barack Obama started off with a joke: "
It's good to be back in the UK, but these days it's good to travel wherever you go!"
"The former US president quickly got serious:"
As for the climate, we are running out of time.
"
He regretted the absence at the COP of the Chinese and Russian presidents, whose countries are among the biggest emitters.
And to salute the progress made possible by the Paris Agreement in 2015, in which he had participated.
Also welcomed the announcements made last week in Glasgow "
thanks to your efforts
", he told delegates.
Unfortunately, "
we are absolutely not where we should be
".
Perhaps because of the pandemic, but also nationalist tensions in the world.
►
To read also: Resumption of negotiations at COP26 in Glasgow
"If I had had a real majority"
So how do you fix it?
Barack Obama was enthusiastic about the energy of young people, who act for the climate, citing Greta Thunberg.
But when he addressed them, he mainly spoke to them about politics: “
You can hate it, but don't ignore it
: vote to put pressure.
If I had had a real majority, I could have done a lot more for the climate,
”said the 44th President of the United States.
And Barack Obama also evoke the problems of the 46th President Joe Biden to vote for his social plan with his climate measures.
In short, he advised, “
stay angry, but channel it for more.
It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.
"
►
To read also: The COP26 is a "failure", believes Greta Thunberg
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COP26
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Greta Thunberg