Parched Earth To Bumpy Skies: Climate Change Is Getting Real

Systems Thinking is a process of looking at things as a whole given their complexity rather than splitting them into different parts. Our human bodies and planet Earth are to be viewed as one large system, where a change in one area affects the other.

Per the United Nations, Climate change is a serious issue affecting everyone. Over the past 200 years, human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation have released massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the Earth's temperature to rise alarmingly. The average global temperature is now about 1.2°C warmer than it was in the late 1800s, before the Industrial Revolution. This may not seem like a big change, but it's already significantly impacting our planet.

You see, the Earth is a complex system where everything is connected. A small temperature change can have far-reaching consequences. We're already witnessing more extreme weather events like intense droughts, wildfires, rising sea levels, flooding, and severe storms. These events can be devastating for communities and ecosystems alike.

Understanding that climate change isn't just about warmer temperatures is important. Climate Change has a diverse effect on our people and our earth.

As the temperature rises, we see our ocean becoming more acidic destroying marine life, the increasing temperatures directly impact our farmer's ability to work longer hours causing a ripple effect; an increase in food scarcity, water scarcity, and a drastic negative effect on our marine ecosystem.

Taking this further, the number of flight turbulences due to climate change has caused severe damage to our people and the airline industry. As Per Forbes, research indicates that climate change exacerbates clear-air turbulence, a particularly hazardous type because it is invisible and hard to predict. The warmer air caused by carbon dioxide emissions increases?wind shear in the jet streams, strengthening clear-air turbulence globally.

?The National Transportation Safety Board has said?that turbulence causes the most common types of accidents aboard aircraft. From 2009 to 2022, the NTSB tallied?163 "serious injuries" resulting from turbulence. The types of injuries tracked include major fractures, serious burns, internal bleeding, or any other injury requiring two or more days of hospitalization. Flight crews incurred 80% of all such injuries, the NTSB notes.

From earth to sky, we are responsible for climate change, our actions over the years have caused a parched earth and bumpy skies challenging our very existence and how we work, play, and live.

Here are 3 ways, we can embed sustainability into reducing negative impact:?

• Sustainable Technology As generative AI and data centers increase, it is crucial to prioritize sustainability in technological development and implementation. This involves actively pursuing decarbonization efforts to mitigate climate impacts and harnessing natural resources like recyclable materials and solar power. Embedding environmental responsibility into the core ethos of technological innovation will pave the way for a greener, more eco-friendly future.
• Transition to Renewable Energy Sources: Shifting away from fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas toward renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Investing in clean energy infrastructure and encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources is crucial.
• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation: The aviation industry contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, which can exacerbate climate change and, consequently, clear air turbulence. Transitioning to more fuel-efficient aircraft, adopting sustainable aviation fuels, and implementing emission-reducing technologies can help mitigate the aviation industry's impact on climate change and reduce the likelihood of clear air turbulence.

By taking actions to be sustainable within our homes, and our community and truly understanding the domino effect of our actions from earth to sky, we can reduce the impact of climate change, making our earth and sky a much more habitual and safe space.