Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac outline two distinct futures for 2050: one if we fail to meet Paris Agreement climate targets, and another if we achieve a carbon-neutral, regenerative world. They emphasize that immediate action is crucial to address our climate emergency, presenting this as our final, defining choice.

Figueres, a Costa Rican diplomat with 35 years of experience, served as Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change from July 2010. Her extensive background highlights the urgency of this pivotal moment.

Source: The RSA, March 4, 2020.

An event titled "Women in Action for Climate Justice and a Just Transition: Path to COP30 and Beyond" brought together diverse global women leaders. They highlighted the importance of a Just Transition and presented comprehensive, intersectional strategies to advance community-led climate solutions, phase out fossil fuels, protect democracy, and strengthen the climate justice movement.

Discussions focused on critical topics such as forest protection, reforestation, gender-responsive climate policies, fossil fuel resistance, food sovereignty, Indigenous and human rights, Rights of Nature, and strategic campaigns for COP30 and future climate action.

Prominent speakers included Thilmeeza Hussain (UN), Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (2024 Climate Breakthrough Award Winner), Bridget Burns (WEDO), Tzeporah Berman (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty), Colette Pichon-Battle (Taproot Earth), Jozileia Kaingang (ANMIGA), Taily Terena (2025 Global Citizen Prize Winner), and Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador). The event was moderated by Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN).

Join us for the Commonwealth Club's Virtual Gala on November 19 at 6 pm, celebrating women's leadership in science and medicine. Visit commonwealthclub.org/2021gala or text Club2021 to 41444 to register and donate.

Founded in 1903, The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. Speakers from Teddy Roosevelt to Anthony Fauci have graced its stage, addressing diverse topics like environmental solutions, exemplified by Paul Hawken's optimistic "ReGeneration" approach to global warming.

With 20,000 members and over 500 annual events, the Club reaches millions through its podcast and weekly national radio program. Become a member: commonwealthclub.org/membership.

Professor Stefan Rahmstorf recently delivered a compelling lecture titled "Why the Ocean is Important to Everyone."

His presentation underscored the critical role marine ecosystems play in influencing global climate, weather patterns, and biodiversity. Rahmstorf highlighted the ocean's vital importance for sustaining both human well-being and the planet's overall health, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation.

Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man) – Dave Courchene, from the Anishinabe Nation, Eagle Clan, presented on "Indigenous Values on Climate Change."

This presentation occurred at the One Basin One Governance (Water is Sacred) Conference on September 18, 2019, held at the Victoria Inn, Winnipeg.

In his TEDx talk, Karan Sood discussed AI and technology's transformative role in addressing climate change. He highlighted how AI-driven innovations enhance climate prediction, optimize energy, and develop sustainable solutions, emphasizing AI's potential to reduce carbon footprints and accelerate a resilient future.

Sood is CEO and co-founder of Fastor7, a global digital transformation company. An IIT Delhi graduate with six years of entrepreneurial experience, he's featured in Forbes and CNBC TV18. He also led the impactful CovidMealsForIndia.com initiative, connecting 5 lakh people to food during the pandemic, earning a Community Championships Award.

This talk was independently organized as a TEDx event. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

A Pew Research Center survey indicates that while highly religious Americans generally express less concern about climate change, young religious adults—including evangelicals under 30—are significantly more likely to acknowledge human-caused global warming and its severity. Across U.S. college campuses, various religious groups (Christian, Jewish, Muslim) are now advocating for collective action to reduce carbon emissions.

On April 26, 2023, a panel featured young Americans from diverse religious backgrounds. They discussed how their faith informs campus activism, shared their evolving perspectives, and explored their impact – or hoped-for impact – on older generations within and beyond their traditions.

The climate crisis has crucial cultural aspects. Rebecca Solnit, co-editor of *Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility*, highlights new narratives emerging from science, Indigenous leadership, and organizing. These stories offer grounds for hope, envisioning an age of abundance rather than austerity.

Solnit, a renowned author of over 20 books including *Hope in the Dark*, is an influential writer and activist. She regularly contributes to The Guardian and launched the Not Too Late project.

Learn more at Bioneers.org.