Climate change is the most challenging crisis of our century. Life as we know it will cease to exist as climate change threatens the balance of our one planet. Higher temperatures, severe storms, increased droughts, rising oceans and flash floods result in the loss of species, food insecurity, water scarcity, increased health risks and rising poverty and displacement. One might say the future is bleak…but humanity has survived diseases, wars and natural disasters throughout history, armed by knowledge, unity and hard work.

Those same ingredients are the only way to fight climate change. Yes, our world is changing and we need to change with it. We need to change the way we do business, we need to adopt new behaviors in our daily lives and we need to adapt the way we think and the way we make decisions. Humanity must adopt agility, innovative thinking, inclusivity and impactful actions.

Egypt has been leading Africa in the combat against climate change since the Paris Agreement. Examples of such efforts are the birth of the African Renewable Energy Initiative and the African Adaptation Initiative. However, the world still needs to strike the balance between mitigation and adaptation. COP27 intends to keep the 1.5 degrees alive and at the same time dedicate special efforts to bringing adaptation to the spotlight. COP27 will be the COP for Action! Nevertheless, a COP for implementation needs to devise solutions that are doable. No action can be achieved without the necessary enabling tools, namely: finance and science. Bringing state representatives, civil society, youth, women, vulnerable groups and the private sector together in the magical city of Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2022, is the best catalyst to produce real, applicable and feasible outcomes. Sharm El-Sheikh is home to unique biodiversity environments such as the mangroves that demonstrate the importance of nature-based solutions in combating climate change.

The solution to climate change lies within our Earth, within our minds and within our capacities, so let’s come together to take tangible steps to prepare and respond to the greatest threat to humanity.