University College Cork professor Dr. Louise Firth believes 2026 marks a "turning point" in global warming, as Europe experienced extreme weather events over the summer, in addition to a fuel crisis as stemming from the war in the Iran. She calls this "a case for action."
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Dr. Firth calls on the international community to provide financial support to Pacific Island nations. Despite being neither the biggest polluters, nor the largest contributors to the climate crisis, they are "the ones that are going to experience it the most," she says.
Whilst the Trump administration officially skipped this summit, with the US not providing an official delegation, she believes that this year's summit still "shines a light" and can "provide impetus for more action," highlighting COP's usefulness, despite the missing delegation.
Dr. Firth is currently attending COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
