The climate is changing… it’s time we do too

Preserving the climate: Have we given up?

According to the UN, our climate’s temperature is increasing at double the rate each decade. It’s time to wake up. As we witness more frequent extreme weather events, melting ice caps, and rising global temperatures, it becomes increasingly evident that climate change is no longer something we can deny. If we weren’t already worried before, we should be now. The climate may just have taken a turn from bad to worse.

Urgent concerns: The crisis is already here

Rising Global Temperatures: Perhaps the most immediate and visible consequence of climate change is the steady increase in global temperatures. Human activities, namely burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes release greenhouse gases such as CO2, which trap heat in our atmosphere. Rising temperatures lead to more frequent and severe heat waves, threatening human health, agriculture, and ecosystems.

Hazardous Weather: The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, and floods, are on the rise. These events result in devastating economic losses, displacement of communities, and loss of life. Many countries have already declared a state of emergency due to these hazardous conditions.

Rising Sea Levels Due to Melting Ice Caps: The polar ice caps have been melting for years now, however their speed has increased over the course of a decade. Their alarming melting rate is due to warmer temperatures, leading to rising sea levels. Coastal communities face displacement, floods, infrastructure collapses and food and water scarcity.

Biodiversity Loss: Climate change wreaks havoc on ecosystems and threatens the survival of countless plant and animal species. As temperatures shift and habitats change, many species struggle to adapt, thereby facing extinction. This loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences for food security, disease control, and the overall health of our planet.

Ocean Acidification: The world’s oceans act as a carbon sink, absorbing a large portion of CO2 emissions. However, this has led to ocean acidification. This causes entire marine ecosystems to go into shock. Changes in pH and temperature of the oceans causes a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. This creates an imbalance and can wipe out reef ecosystems which account for 25% of all marine life.

Social and Economic Inequity: Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable and marginalised communities, exacerbating already existing social and economic disparities.

Those with limited resources face greater challenges in adapting to and recovering from climate-related disasters.

It’s time our actions start actually making a difference:

Humans have been making small changes to limit carbon emissions for many years, and although our efforts are making a positive impact, it’s going to take more than just a few organisations. Climate conservation needs to be implemented by each individual. Although the climate won’t start cooling immediately after the reduction of greenhouse gases, in fact, it’s more likely to rise for a few years, but that doesn’t mean we don’t try.

Here are some solutions:

Transition to Renewable Energy: Although most people wish to blame fossil fuels for their detrimental effects, there is no denying that the economy would suffer without them. This is why we need to phase them out, making an immediate transition to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Governments, businesses, and individuals must prioritize clean energy solutions.

Reforestation and Afforestation: We often wish that scientists would just create a machine that would turn CO2 into O2. What we fail to realise is that we are surrounded by natural machines that are green in colour and do exactly that. Trees! Protecting existing forests and planting new trees are effective ways to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Reforestation projects can also help restore ecosystems and combat biodiversity loss. It is however important to note that trees must be planted in the right locations. Just sticking a tree into whatever land you can find, may actually do more harm than good.

Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting sustainable farming practices, reducing food waste, and adopting plant-based diets can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector.

Climate Education and Awareness: Education and public awareness campaigns are crucial for fostering a greater understanding of climate change and inspiring action at individual and community levels.

Adaptation and Resilience: Although we wished it wouldn’t come to this, being prepared is better than facing the consequences. Investing in infrastructure and strategies to adapt to the changing climate is essential. Communities need to create plans for dealing with the impacts of extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

Personal and Global Cooperation: There are more than 8 billion people on this planet. Imagine the possibilities and the impact it would make if just more than half of those people adopted sustainability and lowered their carbon footprint. Each individual can make a difference by just changing their way of living. Climate change is also a global problem that requires international cooperation. Countries must work together to set ambitious emissions reduction targets and support vulnerable nations in adapting to climate impacts.

One of the most serious concerns humanity has in the twenty-first century is climate preservation. Climate change concerns should not be dismissed, as they have far-reaching effects for our world and future generations. We can, however, reduce the worst effects of climate change and transition to a more sustainable and resilient future by taking urgent and significant steps at the individual, community, national, and global levels. It is our common responsibility to address these ongoing concerns and collaborate to maintain the climate for future generations.

Devika is a TribesforGOOD Changemaker. If you are a young activist who is looking to make a difference, join our upcoming winter programs.