Learning About Climate Change: Key Terms and Must-Read Books



Hi! It’s konkaz (@konkazuk).


It’s been a long time since I first started hearing about climate change, and I’ve seen plenty of footage of natural disasters, yet I’ve been putting the issue on the backburner, using the busyness of daily life as an excuse to treat it as a low priority.

However, over the past few years, social events and the books I’ve read have connected ideas like climate change, inequality, and political systems in my mind.


Realising how urgent it is, I’ve decided to make climate change the focus of my everyday life.

At the same time, I realised just how limited my knowledge is, so I’ve decided to organize my thoughts little by little through this blog while continuing to learn.



For those who are curious, feel free to stop by and explore.

* If you press the ‘目次’ button below, the menu for this page will appear. 👇

What is COP?

image by Mathias Reding

COP” stands for “Conference of the Parties“, which refers to the meeting of countries that have signed and agreed to a treaty.


In this context, the treaty in question is the “UNFCCC” (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), an international agreement aimed at addressing climate change.

🔹A brief explanation about UNFCCC



As the primary decision-making body of this treaty, “COP” convenes once a year, providing a platform for countries to deliberate on strategies for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and formulating global climate policies.

Conference of the Parties so far…

image by dimitrisvetsikas1969

Here, I feature the dates and locations of past COPs, along with a focus on those considered particularly important.


1995 – COP1 / Berlin, Germany

1996 – COP2 / Geneva, Switzerland

1997COP3 / Kyoto, Japan

🔹COP3 “Kyoto Protocol”


1998 – COP4 / Buenos Aires, Argentina

1999COP5 / Bonn, Germany

2000COP6 (part1) / The Hague, Netherlands (November)
2001COP6 (part2) / Bonn, Germany (July)

2001COP7 / Marrakech, Morocco

2002COP8 / New Delhi, India

2003COP9 / Milan, Italy

2004COP10 / Buenos Aires, Argentina

2005COP11 / Montreal, Canada

2006COP12 / Nairobi, Kenya

2007COP13 / Bali, Indonesia

2008COP14 / Poznań, Poland

2009COP15 / Copenhagen, Denmark

🔹COP15 “Copenhagen Summit”



2010COP16 / Cancún, Mexico

2011COP17 / Durban, South Africa

2012COP18 / Doha, Qatar

2013COP19 / Warsaw, Poland

2014COP20 / Lima, Peru

2015COP21 / Paris, France

2016COP22 / Marrakech, Morocco

2017COP23 / Bonn, Germany, hosted by Fiji

2018COP24 / Katowice, Poland

2019COP25 / Madrid, Spain, hosted by Chile

2021COP26 / Glasgow, United Kingdom

2022COP27 / Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

2023COP28 / Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2024COP29 / Baku, Azerbaijan

🔹COP29 “Finance COP”


Key Terms to Know for Understanding COP

image by mick-haupt

COP-related articles often include many abbreviations and technical terms. In this section, I’ll break down the meanings of these terms and provide background information for better understanding.

🔹IPCC


Key Vocabulary and Phrases on Climate Change, Inequality, and Politics

image by Matt Palmer

This section will feature key English words and phrases related to climate change, economic inequality, and politics. I’ll explain the meanings of terms commonly seen in news articles and provide related context to help deepen your understanding of global issues.


🔹Carbon Reserve
🔹Petrostate


Eco Thoughts with Occasional Detours

image by Florian Schmetzr

I’ll be jotting down my thoughts on climate change and related events here, along with bits and pieces from my daily life.


Must-Read Books on Climate Change, Inequality, and How Politics Works

image by Pexels

In this section, I’ll share must-read books that have deepened my understanding of climate change, inequality, and political structures. Each book is one I’ve personally read and highly recommend, with a simple, to-the-point summary.

Sometimes, a wake-up call leads to action. Even if reading feels like a chore, I invite you to explore these articles!

Books on Climate Change

image by Agustin Lautaro
🔸1. “This Changes Everything”
by Naomi Klein

My top pick for climate change books is “This Changes Everything” by Naomi Klein. The book is full of shocking revelations that clearly show why we can’t afford to ignore this crisis.

If heavy reading isn’t for you, at least take a look at this article!


🔸2. “REWILDING THE SEA”
by Charles Clover

When we think about climate change, our attention often goes to visible changes on land. But what’s happening beneath the ocean’s surface is just as critical.


Reading Charles Clover’s book will help broaden your perspective on this critical issue.


Books on Economic Inequality

image by Artikhun
🔸1. “The Trading Game”
by Gary Stevenson

The No.1 book on economic inequality is “The Trading Game” by Gary Stevenson. This semi-autobiographical novel tells the story of a working-class man who becomes a Citibank trader, makes millions, and then realizes the harsh reality of global inequality, leading him to discover his true mission.

His YouTube channel, @garyseconomics, is also highly recommended.


🔸2. “END TIMES”
by Peter Turchin

I wasn’t sure whether to classify this book by Peter Turchin under politics, but his pioneering work in “Cliodynamics”, a new field of study developed with his colleagues, offers clear insights into the patterns of economic inequality throughout history and the recurring societal cycles that accompany it. A truly fascinating read.


Books on Politics

image by joshua-sukoff
🔸1. “HOW THEY BROKE BRITAIN”
by James O’Brien

The top book in the political category is “HOW THEY BROKE BRITAIN” by James O’Brien, a popular presenter on LBC Radio. Centered around Brexit, this book exposes the greed-driven actions of the British media and the Conservative government.

A gripping read that will capture your attention.

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