Climate Change Defenders aren't Frauds

Sustainable Horizons - Issue No. 17

Hey friends,

New York was buzzing this week. Between the drama of the UN General Assembly and the raw energy of Climate Week NYC, it honestly felt like the whole world squeezed itself into one city. You could feel the tension: where we are vs. where we need to go.

1️⃣     The “Con Job” Comment — Let’s Be Real

So, yeah… someone at the UN podium called climate action a “con job.” Easy to roll your eyes, right? But here’s the thing: this isn’t just background noise. It shows how facts alone don’t always change minds. 

Here’s how I see it:

• Stick to the science. The evidence isn’t just in reports — it’s in the heatwaves, floods, and fires outside our windows.

• But also, tell better stories. People don’t want to hear about sacrifice; they want to hear about opportunity, jobs, and healthier lives.

👉 What about you? If you run into climate skepticism — in a meeting, or even around a family dinner table — what story or stat do you lean on?

   2️⃣      China’s New Targets: Big Deal or Bare Minimum? 

China dropped new numbers: a 7–10% cut by 2035. My gut reaction was mixed. On one hand: “Finally!” On the other: “That’s it?”

Here’s the reality:

👍 The good → Their renewable rollout is insane. They’re scaling up solar and wind at levels no one else even dreams of.

👎 The bad → Coal. Still too much of it, still growing in places.

    • ⚖️ The verdict → It’s progress, but nowhere near the pace we need for 1.5°C.

👉 Do you see this as a turning point? Or just the lowest bar they thought they could get away with?

3️⃣    Climate Week Highlights: Where Hope Felt Real

Away from the big speeches, Climate Week was alive with ideas that actually give me hope:

• India’s Green Hydrogen push → Not a pilot, but 5 million tonnes a year. That’s market-making ambition.

• AI in buildings → Trane’s smart controls might sound boring, but cutting wasted energy in thousands of buildings is exactly the kind of “quiet” win we need.

 • Funding for coastal resilience → $8.7M for California’s shoreline defenses. Adaptation matters too, and it’s finally getting resources.

4️⃣    The Bottom Line: Leadership is Messy

If I learned anything this week, it’s this: leadership isn’t about having the perfect answer. It’s about moving forward anyway.

It’s building bridges between policymakers and engineers, between CEOs and activists. It’s showing up, again and again, even when the problems feel overwhelming.

👉 So let me throw it back to you: what does climate leadership look like in your role this week? Maybe it’s pushing a new project, maybe it’s shifting how your team buys, or maybe it’s just changing one stubborn mind.

Tag someone who embodies that kind of leadership. Let’s celebrate them here.

#sustainability #ahmedfathythoughts #UNGA #NYclimateweek

United Nations UN Climate Change UN Environment Programme Donald Tramp António Guterres UN Women UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency European Environment Agency COP30 Brazil The New York Times The New York Climate Exchange UNICEF IOM - UN Migration Roberta Boscolo African Development Bank Group World Bank Group Youth Summit Water Youth Network Olumide Idowu (Mr. Climate) Olumide Idowu (Mr. Climate) Vojtech Vosecky The British University in Egypt - Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering International Monetary Fund Celeste Saulo Environment and Climate Change Canada Environmental Defense Fund Environmental Services