Climate Action

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This year's COP is in Egypt, and so it's been sort of terms of the African COP. But I've just spoke to so many community leaders and activists that have had such difficultiessort of getting there. The travel costs and the hotel costs are extortionate; we can't call it an African COP if folks from Africa aren't there. Even if they do make it, they're going to have to be more careful in terms of what activism they do.

As world leaders began to gather at Cop27 yesterday, speeches began on the main stage in Sharm el-Sheik. Presidents and prime ministers spoke of the need to rapidly reduce carbon emissions and the horrendous impacts of climate breakdown. But, if previous years are anything to go by – these words may not turn into concrete actions. Instead, indigenous and community groups are leading the charge on saving the planet. Madeleine Finlay speaks to Nina Lakhani about the need for climate justice, and hears from activist Nonhle Mbuthuma about her fight to protect South Africa’s Wild Coast. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod