Are Climate Pledges Empty Promises?
By Vivienne F.
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The year of 2025 has been record-breaking, for all the wrong reasons. January’s temperatures hit the hottest in recorded history, with experts warning that they will only worsen. Arctic sea ice reached a new low, and several officials have expressed alarm over its rapid melt. One million species face extinction, and freshwater is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. Hundreds of countries met to address these global issues at the United Nations Climate Summit 2025 on September 24. Leaders promised progress, but the real question is whether these commitments will turn into action or remain political ambitions.
A total of 120 countries and the European Union announced goals to reduce green-house gas emissions. These goals signal fresh momentum as a response to the rapid climate change Earth is undergoing. Some nations have already shown notable progress. Brazil, for example, committed to one of the most ambitious targets, aiming to cut emissions by 59-67% before 2035. Australia pledged to reduce emissions by 62-70% by 2035, and countries like India have doubled their share of renewable energy in recent years. These examples suggest that while global pledges vary in admission, some nations show promise and progress toward decarbonization.
Despite these commitments, skepticism remains high. Many nations have a history of missing past deadlines, and critics question whether their habits will truly change. Major emitters such as the United States, China, and India still rely heavily on fossil fuels to power economies, making deep cuts especially challenging. Experts note that even if all countries meet their current pledges, global emissions will only fall by 2-3%, far short of the 43% reduction scientists say is necessary to keep warming under control. The UN Summit highlights a pattern: leaders are quick to announce bold targets, but they are rarely followed through and remain too weak to have enough impact. The United States, the world’s largest emitter of carbon pollution, has further jeopardized the global effort. Before the UN Summit, President Trump gave a speech filled with incorrect claims about climate change, dismissing climate science and reprimanding other countries for trying to go green. He argued that “countries are on the brink of destruction because of the green energy agenda” and that climate science is a “hoax” and a “green scam.” Trump, who has demolished climate regulations during his presidential term thus far, has drawn immense criticism on his handling of environmental policy. On a global scale, mechanisms of climate control are weak due to leaders’ lack of enforcement and inability to follow through.
The consequences of inaction are already evident worldwide. Rising temperatures have fueled more intense natural disasters like wildfires and flooding, displacing millions of individuals from their homes. In Sub-Saharan countries, communities face droughts, greatly affecting agriculture and means of living. No country is immune to climate change, as even industrialized nations face extreme weather events that strain infrastructure and economies. These realities that virtually every individual faces underscore why the UN Summit pledges must move beyond a spoken promise. Timely action is essential, and countries must shift toward renewable energy, away from fossil fuels. Youth activism and international cooperation do play critical roles, but without actual implementation, the world falls far too short of climate targets. The consequences are already unfolding today. In the meantime, simple steps like reducing energy use, cutting food waste, or advocating for stronger climate policies in local communities add up to the bigger initiative. While global action is critical, every small choice contributes to a larger impact, and the future of the planet rests in this generation’s hands.
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