What is COP26? Here’s what you need to know about the crucial UN climate conference set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland from October 31-November 12, 2021. Featuring climate advocate Al Gore; Paris Climate Agreement architect Christiana Figueres; minister and activist Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.; UN High Level Climate Action Champion for COP25 Gonzalo Muñoz; and climate activist Xiye Bastida. Watch the full Countdown Global Livestream here:
Countdown is TED’s global initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis. The goal: to build a better future by cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, in the race to a zero-carbon world. Get involved at
Learn more about #TEDCountdown:
Twitter:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Website:
Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You’re welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.
Become a TED Member:
Follow TED on Twitter:
Like TED on Facebook:
Subscribe to our channel:
TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at
Transcriber: Leslie Gauthier
Reviewer:
Al Gore: COP26,
the Conference of the Parties
on the climate treaty,
is where every nation
in the world comes together
to negotiate collective action
to solve the climate crisis.
Christiana Figueres: COP26,
which is the one that is coming up now,
in Glasgow,
is the 26th time that these governments
are getting together
to do, frankly, follow-up
to the Paris Agreement.
They need to come to the table
to report to each other
what they have done since Paris,
and most importantly,
commit to each other what further
efforts they’re going to do
over the next five-to-10 years —
the most decisive decade
in the history of humanity.
Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.: Well,
the first thing with COP26
that the average viewer should find —
there’s a lot of acronyms.
So, unfortunately, there’s one right now,
the IPCC:
Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change
did a report that said
that we had 12 years.
Now that was three-and-a-half years ago.
Gonzalo Muñoz: And COP26 is also
a COP that has been affected,
I would say positively,
by the last two IPCC reports.
Science spoke very loudly in October 2018
with the IPCC report of 1.5 degrees.
And just a few months from today,
we received this sixth report in August
that was named as a red code for humanity.
Those two reports
are allowing us to understand
the importance of following science
and the big risk
that we have in front of us
if we don’t follow the science,
as is indicated in those reports.
CF: The commitments that are going to be
made at COP26 are critically important
because they will tell us
whether we are on track
to the goal that has to be
reached by 2030,
which is cutting global emissions
from where they are today to 50 percent.
Xiye Bastida: The language
is not everyday language,
and it is the job of us as activists
to be communicators of the science
and of the decisions
that happen behind these walls.
The involvement of youth
is really important
because we bring the element of urgency.
And I think that including
Indigenous voices is critical
because Indigenous knowledge
and Indigenous philosophy of taking care
of Mother Earth as a reciprocal action
is part of the paradigm shift
that we need to achieve.
GM: Every one of us can and must
deliver actions at different scales.
Not only political leaders —
business leaders, financial institutions,
everyone that has a capacity
of taking a decision —
the decision-makers —
they have the unique opportunity of being
part of the most important challenge
that we have ever faced as a species.
LY Jr.: I hope you don’t lose hope;
I pray you don’t lose hope.
I’ve seen some of you want to check out.
Don’t check out,
don’t give up,
don’t give in.
Fight to the end.
Whatever you do,
keep fighting for this planet.
[Countdown]
Dang Ling Long
November 1, 2021 at 8:32 pm
When it comes to science predicting climate change .they have been wrong 100% of the time throughout the entire history of science but I’m sure they finally got it right this time ✌ 😉
lancelot du lac
November 1, 2021 at 8:36 pm
source?
Nop Nop
November 1, 2021 at 8:38 pm
Wrong in the sense that it has been severely underestimating the effects of it?
Paul Borron IV
November 1, 2021 at 8:32 pm
COP is the attempt by the globalists to seize even more control. Don’t believe their doom and gloom. This is all a power grab. We’ve ceded too much control because we gave in to fear about the Xiden Flu and they want to go all the way. All part of The Great Reset. Two-tiered societies, neo feaudalism. Also, mass genocide of all those the elite deems no longer worthy of being allowed to live.
atomixfang
November 1, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Nothing will fundamentally change. Except the middle and lower classes will bear the brunt of the “climate actions” while the top percenters will rake the winnings.
Steven_Duller
November 1, 2021 at 8:51 pm
A fancy event where a bunch of rich people get to ride around in expensive electric Jaguar cars.
Let's Doodle Something HOME
November 1, 2021 at 9:17 pm
Electric cars are actually better then gas fuelled cars.
Ben Anderson
November 1, 2021 at 9:57 pm
@Let’s Doodle Something HOME not in the components it takes to make them
BotanicalOli
November 1, 2021 at 10:59 pm
@Let’s Doodle Something HOME you have to mine for precious metals deep in the bedrock of oceans to find the parts needed for the batteries alone.
Steven_Duller
November 1, 2021 at 11:14 pm
@Let’s Doodle Something HOMEare Jaguar cars necessary though? Why not an electric Honda or Ford? The exuberant spending of cash just screams “we’re not riding in these because we care about the environment”.
Mem Mosave
November 1, 2021 at 8:52 pm
Good
Melissa Williamson
November 1, 2021 at 8:54 pm
COP26 is a place where the elites are meeting to discuss Climate while each flying their own private jets to attend. HUBRIS its all HUBRIS!
No different than Marie Antoinette telling the poor “Let them eat cake”
Jim Bean
November 1, 2021 at 8:57 pm
23 of the 25 most polluting countries are in China.if it’s so serious then why allow China a free pass?
Cau Arts
November 1, 2021 at 9:02 pm
FORA BOLSONARO
Lynette Hannan
November 1, 2021 at 9:05 pm
The Australian Gov’t are greenwashers who are servants of Private Capitalism. They’re not going to change a thing. They’ve stopped listening to us – their supposed constituents – decades ago. It doesn’t matter which political party is voted in, they get paid by the same big $$$ who are busy digging up our country and physically destroying it in the name of progress.
Jeremie BP
November 1, 2021 at 9:08 pm
2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Google just saved me three minutes.
Special Sauce
November 1, 2021 at 10:30 pm
LMFAO! Very funny
Serps
November 1, 2021 at 11:13 pm
Accurate
Nick Lambert
November 2, 2021 at 1:27 am
Saved you 3 minutes that you already planned to waist..
50 Pence
November 1, 2021 at 9:44 pm
COP a place where a load of rich people that are in the pockets of big corporations fly to in private jets to pretend to do something to the newspapers they control. This keeps their sheople content.
Jessica Orban
November 1, 2021 at 9:44 pm
Oh good, so glad Gore and some of his high carbon buds are here to tell the plebs of the world how to live.
GrapeDrank001
November 1, 2021 at 9:50 pm
Then stop China the earths biggest polluter. Nothing you do will put a dent in what China is doing. No matter how many reusable bags and metal straws you buy.
astralux
November 1, 2021 at 10:22 pm
The climate change cannot be bought or altered with our taxes, the cold plasma winds of change blow from Tartaria and time is soon up. These reptiles deserve to hang from tall branches for the theft and genocide they are trying to commit. Care for your health and soul and never give in to these nasty greedy mutherfuking demons
English IELTS
November 1, 2021 at 10:44 pm
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Tommy Baker
November 1, 2021 at 10:51 pm
Should be called Con26
overconstruction
November 1, 2021 at 10:53 pm
Im all for working towards a cleaner world but yall gotta keep up this fear act to maintain funding.. its kinda disgusting
BotanicalOli
November 1, 2021 at 10:57 pm
Without China and Russia, this is beyond ridiculous. Biden will do nothing with his woke idiocy taking human rights away and standing up for families, making people turn away before they even listen to him.
Also the HYPOCRISY of him flying over 80 cars to Italy then the UK is ridiculous.
Constantin von Knebel
November 1, 2021 at 11:07 pm
So important, thank you ❤️🙏🏻
Golf Golf
November 1, 2021 at 11:10 pm
To keep their countries clean, the West ship rubbish/trash to South East Asia. They import goods from China and have nothing much to export. Instead of returning empty containers to China, they ship trash out of their countries, to be dumped indiscriminately. Please STOP.
Boris wants UK to stay Green at the expense of others. Pathetic
Eyal B
November 1, 2021 at 11:11 pm
Its all about money. They don’t care about anything. The corporations and china responsible for the majority of the climate changes. Yet. They tell us all to behave and take responsibility. Such a bs.
Serps
November 1, 2021 at 11:12 pm
If China isnt going to be seriously involved then this is just one big joke.
Ckm
November 2, 2021 at 12:20 am
The majority of chinas pollution output is created in making export goods for other countries… in this sense everyone is responsible. Consumers, politicians and industry leaders need to think twice where they buy from if any country is unwilling to adapt. Reducing the demand will always make suppliers rethink their production techniques!
IELTS SPEAKING BAND 9
November 1, 2021 at 11:17 pm
nice one
sNap
November 1, 2021 at 11:38 pm
stop already. its a group of unelected zionists with unfathomable amounts of money buying our poloticians.
couchpoet1
November 2, 2021 at 12:19 am
Like agenda 21
Deep Ashtray
November 2, 2021 at 2:02 am
Talk is cheap. Fact is we’re screwed.
Pandaboi
November 2, 2021 at 4:54 am
To be clear, we can still address climate change, but how bad it gets before the political will gets high enough is a different matter entirely. We should do whatever we can to raise that political will as soon as possible.
Deep Ashtray
November 2, 2021 at 2:51 pm
@Pandaboi The ultra rich are convinced that they are a privileged class whose lifestyles are protected from climate change by their wealth and privilege; they are the ones the politicians are pandering to. Very few from that class, particularly those whose wealth is connected to perpetuating the products and activities causing climate change, are willing to stick their necks out unless they see it as a means to bolster their own position. We are a consumer based society, that is what has to end. But by doing so literally billions of working people across the planet will need to find new livelihoods. Bit of a conundrum there; politicians will answer to the working class when people start losing their source of income due to trying to curb climate change. We’re in a real pickle.
iloveyouamberappel
November 2, 2021 at 2:17 am
Such nonsense. China and India need to be involved or funding cut. Government is important but it starts with individuals. I implore all of you to make changes in your own lives to reduce your own carbon footprint. If the over 60% of people who purport to care about climate change make changes, it will make a difference. Regardless of what others tell you.
Erik Mikkelsen
November 2, 2021 at 3:04 am
Saying that it’s up to individuals is disingenuous. Corporations are responsible for the vast majority of carbon emissions. While it’s definitely not a bad thing for individuals to try to reduce their carbon footprints, corporations need to be held to stricter standards (which ultimately requires government regulation).
gdpm
November 2, 2021 at 10:57 am
VICE is sponsored by green lobbists, REMEMBER: you ‘save’ (you actually have no impact) the planet, at the cost of your living standards, as green activitists impose extra taxes, lobby politicians etc. and so contribute to inflation and POORER YOU
suicune2001
November 2, 2021 at 3:24 am
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
They found that under the most extreme scenario, where no animal products are consumed at all, adequate food production in 2050 could be achieved on less land than is currently used, allowing considerable forest regeneration, and reducing land-based greenhouse gas emissions to one third of the reference “business-as-usual” case for 2050.
David Sanchez
November 2, 2021 at 3:32 am
According with the evolution theory in one way or another, those with better capabilities will be “selected” and survive… the Human race is NOT going to disappear next century, doesn’t matter if achieve or don’t the 1.5 C target…
serges
November 2, 2021 at 5:39 am
You’re entirely missing the point..
🎯Motivation Bay Channel
November 2, 2021 at 3:50 am
DO JUST ONCE what others say you can’t do and you will never pay attention to their limitations again.
Mrs. R.D3
November 2, 2021 at 3:51 am
NWO….of which I want nothing a part of.
Egg
November 2, 2021 at 4:09 am
Egg
serges
November 2, 2021 at 5:42 am
Ugh. I hate seeing important videos or science videos just have a comment section full of religious crap, science deniers, or other junk. These channels need better comment moderation like seriously. No one should have to see this nonsense
Samuel Zev
November 2, 2021 at 10:56 pm
Most of the science deniers here are conservative Americans, their first amendment of free speech has given them the right to be stupid. The US is a failed state ever since they rebelled against the British.
misty scheller
November 2, 2021 at 6:14 am
Still nothing significant will come of it.
Yoza Anugrah
November 2, 2021 at 6:58 am
Lets stop using palm oil
Try to buy second hand stuff
Yoza Anugrah Ch.
November 2, 2021 at 6:58 am
Lets stop using palm oil
Try to buy second hand stuff
🇬█ 𝔎𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑚 𝔎alisari│
November 2, 2021 at 7:46 am
SAVE OUR 💚 PLANET 🌍❗
STOP SPREADING 🔥🔥🔥 YOUR HATE 🔥🔥🔥
Because, ” Love 💚 IS Stronger than HATE 🔥 . ”
TED | Thank you
for your role to make the world we seek.
God bless us everyone!
And May God’s peace be upon you.
Thank you.
###
.
✿Shahrezad Nor Mohammadiy
November 2, 2021 at 8:02 am
Long live Women
So Tender, and Lovable!
Brian King
November 2, 2021 at 11:15 am
Copy and paste much?
✿Shahrezad Nor Mohammadiy
November 2, 2021 at 12:52 pm
@Brian King
Long live Women
So tender and Lovable.
Long life the
United Nations الأمـــــمُ المتّـحــــدَة
Long live Each us | Peacemaker’s.
Thank you | TED.
And May God’s peace be upon you.
Thank you very much | TED .
Thank you.
###
.
✿Shahrezad Nor Mohammadiy
November 2, 2021 at 12:53 pm
@Brian King
Long live Women
So tender and Lovable.
Long life the
United Nations الأمـــــمُ المتّـحــــدَة
Long live Each us | Peacemaker’s.
Thank you | TED.
And May God’s peace be upon you.
Thank you very much | TED .
Thank you.
###
.
Eli Nope
November 2, 2021 at 1:40 pm
I agree, spread love not hate, spread liberation, not oppression. The only people who want to save the world are the ones whom are allowed to pursue happiness and are invested in it’s welfare. Those whom are oppressed and restricted by the world, have no strong interest in preserving it.
D C
November 2, 2021 at 7:52 am
Science is a method not a leader.
Peeticek
November 2, 2021 at 8:38 am
What is cop26? It’s a bunch of elite hypocrites flying 100 private jets to Glasgow where they will discuss how to restrict our freedom because ehm GREEN STUFF.
John Bruce
November 2, 2021 at 9:06 am
World population 1955 = 2.8 billion. It took 2.5 million years of human progress to get there.
World population 2021 = 7.9 billion. It took 66 years of incremental human progress and globalisation to nearly treble to world’s population.
Outcome? World climate crisis! World resources crisis! Anarchy! Despair. What a surprise. So, technology will solve all humanity’s problems, eh? Just like it’s done so far? Progress solves one problem only to generate even further, bigger ones. Our fate’s not in our hands.
cashlandrum
November 2, 2021 at 9:52 am
Well with Russia and China not participating and India only there for the drinks and chicks this Fiasco in Glasgow was only good for the recreational drug industry in Scotland cuz wherever you have liberal elites you have plenty of drugs…
CodeLeap
November 2, 2021 at 11:49 am
Let’s stop spreading this indigenous myth of ‘being close to the earth’.
UBT pixielox
November 2, 2021 at 12:26 pm
…And Why Can’t Wheelchair Users Get In?
Eli Nope
November 2, 2021 at 1:42 pm
Propaganda think tank to keep the people disempowered.
Ryan S
November 2, 2021 at 2:43 pm
Show us the science?
Vision Channel
November 2, 2021 at 4:27 pm
😀 COP 26, A JOKE!!!
They speak ill of Brazil and President Bolsonaro, but these champions of the environment forget that they and their NGOs supported Brazilian left-wing politicians who were in power for 22 years from FHC to Dilma Rousseff, did little and nothing.
The United States and Europe, with their factories and fossil fuels, forests and man-made forests have polluted the world for over 150 years, both have no morals to question anyone.
Nathan
November 2, 2021 at 5:35 pm
Great, what about the other Countries that never attend that are the worse offenders? We can all talk, talk, talk until we are all blue in the face. But until ALL the countries on this planet are on the same page (which will never happen), we better learn how to live with this fluid situation without destroying our countries with pie in the sky ideology.
Francisco Galindo
November 2, 2021 at 7:15 pm
.
We are delayed.
But we are going to success.
Because we are together joint by the power of love, my always dear Mr. Gore.
Remember :
When darkness seems deeper, LIGHT is brightest.
We are a TEAM.
I am here to HELP.
.
Invox
November 2, 2021 at 10:21 pm
In my country electric charging stations are now MORE expensive than gas stations… Yeah, I have little hope this will change anything until the REAL problem is solved.
The problem being the Economy.
walperstyle
November 3, 2021 at 10:02 am
Ah yes, more communism pretending to be science. Please stop voting in politicians to ‘fix’ the problem.
Invox
November 3, 2021 at 8:27 pm
I just know that if there is money to be made and the gains surpass (in the billions) the losses to our planet resources and the zero accountability there of… money will be made.
That’s not communism, that’s just capitalism at its finnest.
Golf Golf
November 3, 2021 at 2:20 am
It’s a lot of farts, and hence a lot of methane released into the atmosphere. Less is better
walperstyle
November 3, 2021 at 10:02 am
Ah yes, more communism pretending to be science.
Mike
November 4, 2021 at 9:00 pm
These people don’t care about poor or middle class Americans looking to improve themselves. They will easily sacrifice hard working Americans instead of negotiation with major polluter countries like China, Russia, and India.
Jesus believed in love they neighbor. China, Russia, and India don’t care about loving the rest of the world. No poor American should have to sacrifice their dreams to a polluting Chinese, Russian, or Indian. Fair is Fair.
Fact of the matter, the sacrificed made by any generation will hardly do anything.
Bill Freeman
November 5, 2021 at 8:05 pm
Its utter bollocks, basically.