Still Stuck at the Lights on Climate Action
- Gregory Andrews
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
I’ve just finished reading the latest State of Climate Action report which is released each year ahead of the Climate COPs. One line keeps echoing in my mind: “Most, if not all, of the bright spots represent isolated instances of rapid change - a far cry from the systemwide transformations urgently needed to close the greenhouse gas emissions gap for 1.5°C.”
It’s a stark truth. There are glimmers of hope everywhere - solar uptake, electrification, people installing home batteries, and communities turning their backs on fossil fuels. These are bright spots. But inspiring as they are, they’re still only flickering fairy lights in a world that needs a massive power boost.
Right now, both Climate Conscience Man and I feel like we’re waiting at the traffic lights on our e-bikes - surrounded by fossil-fuelled cars idling and pumping out exhaust. We’re doing out best. But the system is still stuck in the wrong gear. And often going in the wrong direction.
The Illusion of Momentum
The SoCA report makes it clear: progress is real, but it’s patchy and piecemeal. Rapid change is happening - but in isolation. It’s happening in certain countries, certain sectors, or through the courage of certain individuals and communities. Governments and corporations, in contrast, are at best still hesitating.
In Australia, the Albanese Government is a case in point. It’s good at talking the talk and rolling out a few bright programs. Home battery rebates and new wind farm announcements are terrific. But every step forward is cancelled out by its new coal and gas approvals. It’s like putting solar panels on a burning house. You can’t greenwash your way to 1.5°C.
And here’s the brutal reality, atmospheric physics doesn’t respond to bright spots. It responds to the sum of all emissions. A thousand small wins can’t balance out one giant loss when the system itself remains wired for pollution.
From Sparks to Systemic Change
That’s why I’m riding again. My #eBike4Australia journey from Canberra to Brisbane for AlterCOP next month isn’t just a ride - it’s a statement of intent. It’s about connecting the bright spots, showing that small or symbolic stuff can join into something powerful and unstoppable.
AlterCOP is where the sparks meet. It’s the place for those who refuse to wait for permission from the powerful, who know that transformation starts from below and moves upwards and outwards, from conscience to community, from movement to momentum.
When I jump on my bike, it’s not to escape the problem. It’s to face it head-on. Every kilometre I pedal is a reminder that the energy transition Earth needs isn’t just technical, it’s moral. It’s about shifting our sense of what’s possible.
The Road Ahead
We can’t keep idling at the lights. It’s time to put the ‘pedal to the metal’ like the red has turned green. Because the longer we wait, the more the road ahead melts, floods, and burns.
Join me - and thousands of others - by being part of the AlterCOP movement. It’s free, global, and open to anyone who believes real climate action starts with people, not politicians. You can participate in Brisbane or online from anywhere.
Get your free tickets here.👇🏽
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