Inspiration during COP29

COP29, the 29th UN annual conference on climate change, takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11–22 November 2024. The aim of COP conferences is to encourage international collaboration on climate change, but here we are in it’s 29th year with what feels like little progress. The changes needed to ensure a stable climate are enormous and perhaps feel insurmountable, but we know there are projects happening all over the planet that will contribute to a stable climate future.

There are lots of projects in Southampton that you can connect to and you can find a listing of most of them on Southampton Climate Action Networks Sustainability Directory. If you want to take some direct action during COP29 then do join COP march & event on Sat 16th November, gathering at Guildhall Square at 10.45am.

If you want to read more about other inspiring projects around the world then dip into our selection of books which cover many aspects of the climate crisis. Perhaps try Humanitarianism 2.0: New ethics for the Climate Emergency by Hugo Slim. Or if a fiction title appeals may be try Now is not the time to panic by Kevin Wilson. Or maybe the deeply thoughtful Self devouring growth by Julie Livingston, a planetary parable as told from Southern Africa appeals. Lots more to choose from in store.

However you want to take action remember that the simplest thing you can do is to think about where you spend your money. Supporting your independent bookshop and other local business rather than online purchasing, is a really easy way to make a contribution.