Chellie Pingree, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Maine’s 1st district, has expressed her concerns about the recent COP29 summit through a series of tweets. Known for her advocacy on environmental issues, Pingree criticized the conference’s handling of climate change and its choice of host country.
On November 24, 2024, Pingree commented on what she perceives as “COP29’s failure to take meaningful action to phase out fossil fuels—or invest in impactful mitigation measures—reflects a broader problem: The world is *not* doing enough to tackle climate change.” She emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues by stating, “There is no time to waste. We can—and must—do better.”
Pingree also addressed the diplomatic aspects of the summit on the same day. She noted that “The tensions surrounding #COP29 have strained relations and distracted everyone from what *should* be the sole focus: saving our planet.” She urged the United Nations to be more careful in selecting countries to host such critical events.
Finally, Pingree shared her reluctance but necessity to speak out about COP29 due to its importance. In her tweet from November 24, she remarked, “Frankly, it’s disappointing to see a climate conference being hosted in a country that’s not only a major producer of fossil fuels but has a recent history of human-rights abuses.”
