Nations Climate Change Conference Leaves Behind Legacy of Climate Change Action

Posted: September 11, 2022 8:06 pm

Queen Elizabeth II passed away at age 96 on Thursday, Sept. 8. After sharing minor details of the queen’s declining health earlier in the day, the royal family released news of her peaceful transition that evening. The queen spent her last moments at Scotland’s Balmoral Castle surrounded by family.

The news wasn’t entirely unexpected; the queen had felt unwell for a few weeks, though the royals kept many details quiet.

Before Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria had been the monarch with the longest lasting reign, spanning 63 years. Elizabeth II reigned for 70. Numerous royal family members were with her when she passed, having rushed to Balmoral as soon as they realized Elizabeth II was nearing the end.

Last year, the queen’s firm stance on climate change made the news when she sent a video to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. The conference is a vital occasion for discussing and formulating climate change action plans.

Initially, the queen planned to attend the conference in person. However, medical issues prevented it when her doctor suggested she needed to rest.

Despite that roadblock, the queen chose to record her message from Windsor Castle in the week preceding the conference. She encouraged leaders worldwide to take pro-environment action, improving the world for the sake of future generations and the planet itself.

She also stated that the time for words has passed, and leaders must now replace them with action.

Before the conference, a recording that was meant to be private was publicly released. In it, the queen discussed climate action with several people: the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, and a Welsh official, Elin Jones. The conversation took place at the Senedd, otherwise known as the Welsh parliament.

The recording included statements of frustration about climate policy inaction among world leaders. Live stream cameras at the event recorded the discussion, but it wasn’t supposed to be publicly released.

The queen noted that she wasn’t even sure who was coming to COP26. Additionally, she expressed irritation over the fact that many leaders talk about preventing climate change without actually doing anything.

As Elizabeth II had anticipated, several world leaders skipped the conference: Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

In her pre-recorded video, the queen praised young environmental activists and stated that she found their enthusiasm and the enthusiasm of older activists comforting and inspirational. Meanwhile, Greta Thunberg, a well-known climate activist in her teens, demonstrated in Glasgow throughout COP26.

Elizabeth II went on to mention that the environment was an important cause for her. Part of her enthusiasm came because the topic was dear to Prince Philip, her late husband. Additionally, the queen said she was proud of Charles and William, her son and grandson, for taking up the cause.

Earlier in the year, a tree-planting initiative called the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) was unleashed to honor her Platinum Jubilee—a celebration of her seven decades as monarch. The initiative encouraged citizens of the United Kingdom to plant trees in honor of the Jubilee. Part of that encouragement included recommendations to prioritize sustainability. The QGC also involved a pledge to focus on tens of Ancient Woodlands and 70 Ancient Trees.

The former Prince Charles, now King Charles III, expressed grief over his mother’s death. He stated that it was “a moment of the greatest sadness” for him and his family.

Hundreds of grieving citizens amassed around London’s Buckingham Palace to mourn and pay tribute to the beloved queen on Thursday. A clear double rainbow was visible, adding a sense of comfort and awe to an otherwise sad day.

Queen Elizabeth II comforted her people during World War II before she was even the reigning monarch. She saw them through countless challenging events throughout the years; during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, she released a video encouraging people to stay strong and support each other through the global disaster. The intensity of her environmental passion was yet more proof of her care for the world around her.

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