Carol Chouchani helps free up work crews dealing with climate change and sustainable management of natural resources across the Arab region. He arrived in Barcelona to join a cycling initiative. MedDialogues +2030 discussions and the Conference on Sustainable Development, organized by IEMed, the Club of Rome, and La Caixa Foundation, highlight a shared commitment to practical action.
Despite overwhelming evidence, some still deny climate change. What would be said to them today? What message can be shared with those who question the reality of warming and its consequences?
Is the denial of climate change a response to this year’s events? How many extreme incidents have occurred, and why do some areas experience unusual patterns? Fukushima-like disasters aside, places such as Derna in Libya faced floods that felt unprecedented. Greece faced forest fires, Spain endured drought followed by flash floods. The pattern points to change. It is difficult to claim nothing is different when communities confront new extremes.
What explains the stubborn reluctance to act now?
Some people resist commitments that affect the future. Recognizing the need to address climate change means changing behaviors, transforming economies, and acknowledging the unequal impacts between wealthy and less affluent nations and communities. It is essential to move from traditional industries to sustainable models of production and consumption, supported by new technologies, innovation, and ecological approaches. Change can feel threatening but it is necessary.
Do concerns about money and investments dominate the climate debate?
Investments matter, but the focus extends beyond big corporations to people. Financing a just transition means supporting workers as much as projects and plans.
Is shifting mindset tough?
Updating equipment is only part of the job. It requires rethinking education and training for a workforce that may have started in petroleum, coal, cement, or heavy phosphate sectors. Those sectors remain important, yet the aim is to retrain and reposition workers for greener opportunities. Change involves business leaders and employees alike, and it demands creative financial solutions to cover transition costs and ensure lasting progress.
Could the Libya disaster foreshadow future crises?
The situation is dramatic. Warming seas and land amplify hydrological variability, and infrastructure in many regions struggles to keep pace with rising shocks. Political instability can compound the problem, hindering necessary investments. This teaches a clear lesson: prepared, resilient infrastructure and transparent governance are critical in many contexts.
Flash floods are not isolated to one region.
From Italy to Greece and even Spain, floods highlight the preventable nature of many losses. Simple actions like maintaining drainage systems and reinforcing infrastructure can reduce risk. The idea is to integrate climate considerations across sectors—transport, agriculture, and water—so communities are better prepared.
Will water scarcity trigger conflicts or wars?
The future might see political contention over water, not necessarily armed conflict. Tools and governance approaches are evolving to minimize risk, promote cooperation, and protect essential resources for all.
Are the impacts uneven between rich and poor nations?
It is a universal challenge.
Another pressing issue is warming water. Higher emissions heat oceans, accelerating evaporation and altering the hydrological cycle, which amplifies extreme events.
Where should solutions come from?
The answer lies in interdisciplinary collaboration, practical technology, education for new generations, strong governance, and sustained financing. Investments must support both mitigation and adaptation to climate impacts.
Could climate effects worsen?
They could, unless decisive action is taken. The question centers on how much the current generation will invest so future generations enjoy a livable climate and stable resources. It may require new farming models, including greenhouse-based agriculture, while keeping faith that human civilization endures. The key is unity and timely transformation.
What can individuals do?
People can choose different travel methods and reconsider waste, plastics, and packaging. In many regions of Europe and Spain, plastic use is lower, and small daily actions accumulate into meaningful shifts. Staying informed, urging politicians to prioritize climate action, and keeping climate on the agenda are essential steps.