The recent COP30 held in Belem, Brazil, went largely unnoticed and reaffirmed the bureaucratic and voluntary nature of international climate summits. As participation from global leaders declines, the collaborative approach needed to tackle climate change becomes increasingly complicated. The goal of concerted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels now seems unattainable based on existing models.

Evidence from 2019 indicates that human activities have already contributed to emissions of 2,390 million tons of carbon, which raises concerns about future climate conditions. With the world facing the fundamental dichotomy between voluntarism and denialism, it is crucial to adopt proactive measures to address the consequences of climate change. The article stresses that despite the absence of global agreements, certain energy trends—such as the transition toward renewable resources—are already becoming established practices that societies must embrace moving forward.

In light of these challenges, nations must recognize the urgent need for adaptation strategies and resilient energy policies. The next steps in combating climate change require prioritizing collective action, even if formal agreements falter. The way forward depends on nations and communities taking ownership of their energy transitions, mitigating the potential impacts of climate crisis, and pursuing sustainable practices that resonate with the realities of our changing climate.