Long Story Short

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP 28, kicked off this Thursday. As with the summits in previous years, we arrive with the usual set of questions: Will pledges be met? Are the biggest polluters going to commit to support the most in need? Will the conference lead to meaningful change? The first day saw an agreement reached over a loss and damage fund, with countries already making initial pledges, including the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Germany. However, many say that the amount committed is not enough given the size of the economies of these nations. According to the U.N. Environment Programme, it is estimated that 80% of people displaced by climate change will be women. With a heavy focus on financial pledges, we contemplate whether the summit will deliver to meet the needs of women affected by the climate crisis. We also discuss an article published this week on MacKenzie Scott's unconventional style of giving large, unrestricted gifts to nonprofits, which was