KMTV was recognised for its regional news coverage by being invited to attend COP26. Video journalist Jadzia Samual represented the KMTV team to discover how the COP26 talks impact Kent…
Flooding. Heatwaves. Rising sea levels.
Residents across Kent are already feeling the impacts of climate change. This November, KMTV went to COP26 to discover more about how the county could be uniquely affected by the changing climate, and what can be done to prevent it.
So what actually was COP26?
Officially named the Conference of the Parties, the annual COP summit sees national leaders from across the world congregating to discuss measures to combat climate change. The first conference took place in 1995, with 2021’s being number 26. It was also seen as one of the most significant because, for the first time ever, every country agreed to work together to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees and aim for 1.5 degrees.
KMTV was invited to attend several conferences at the Extreme Hangouts centre in Glasgow, taking place alongside the main political events. This venue saw climate activists and experts discussing key topics in conjunction with the central summit.
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I visited Glasgow on behalf of KMTV to attend the Oceans Day conferences. I met activists from the county and experts from across the world, all of whom shone a light on the hidden issues lying beneath the county’s waters.
One activist and marine biologist from Faversham, Madeline St. Clair, spoke to crowds about the importance of preserving coral reefs. Although these reefs are thousands of miles away, their preservation is uniquely important even in Kent: with 25% of marine life relying on coral at one stage in their lives, Madeline explained how dying corals may impact food supply and fishing in the county.
Another expert in marine life and plastic pollution, Dr Lauren Biermann, gave talks about the rising dangers of micro-plastics – not only on our oceans, but also on human health. Kent has one of the largest stretches of coastline of any English county, meaning plastic pollution in the sea impacts us uniquely. Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay supported calls to reduce plastics, and the government has since launched a consultation into banning single use plastic.
Overall, the political outcome of COP26 was one of the most significant climate treaties to date; global leaders agreed to “phase down” the use of coal, aiming to keep temperature rises below 1.5 degrees this century.
But beyond that, the fortnight in Glasgow served to highlight climate change activism across Kent, the UK, and around the world. It allowed experts from the county a chance to voice their concerns on a global stage and drew attention to the need for everyone to play their part.
Written by Jadzia Samuel, Video Journalist, KMTV