he climate is changing, and we are all responsible. I know - individually, none of us is affecting the planet that much. But collectively, our way of living
has been killing the Planet for quite a while now. To be more precise, the more we started burning fossil fuels to power up our economic growth, the thicker the blanket of greenhouse gases wrapped around us.
The decision to act on climate change and make more sustainable decisions is urgent for individuals, as well as for corporations and countries. You might think this is an exaggeration. But we all see the consequences of global warming already through multiple wildfires across the globe (think about California), sea levels rising due to ocean waters warming up (Venice and every coastal city are in danger) and overall extreme weather events and the unusual temperature rises. So, as scientists have warned us in the last 50 years, our communities are in danger and we need to take initiative now!
The causes of climate change are vast and varied
I want to make it clear - climate change happens for multiple reasons. But one hell of an important reason is the Greenhouse gases stuck in our atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, etc. Now this group of gases that trap heat from ever radiating back into space affects the temperature of our planet.
And guys - these gases get released into the air through a variety of human activities that burn coal, oil, or gas for energy( also called fossil fuels) or by raising livestock. Yes, raising animals to be eaten contributes to global warming because of the gases (methane) that these animals eliminate.
And if you think about it, you might use neither coal nor gas or oil directly. But, at this moment, fossil fuels are used to power almost every industry we have. Electricity is used by all of us, and we are far from producing all of it sustainably. More sustainable solutions such as solar panels, wind turbines, and other green energy solutions contribute only a little more than a quarter to the global energy sources. We’ll wait some more in line for people to adopt them more seriously - probably when the long-term vitality of our planet will become more important than the immediate profit.
And think about the clothing or the food industry and how much waste happens there. Not to mention the manufacturing of electronics, different objects, and materials. All of these contribute enormously to the greenhouse effect and one thing is for sure - We consume too much.
I’m not saying that we should, all of a sudden, stop producing and consuming anything. But guys, there are ways to do everything more sustainably and efficiently. We only need to create the momentum required for such solutions to be widely adopted. And that sets us up for a harsh fight.
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Additionally, cutting forests to make space for agriculture could also be a problem
We know by now that trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and give us back oxygen. But deforestation happens at an alarming rate worldwide. A reason for this is the fact that humans need more space to raise livestock and crops to feed the high number of people living.
And when trees get cut down, they release CO2 back into the atmosphere, which contributes further to global warming. All this while leaving the natural environment bare and inefficient in filtering air. To think that deforestation, alongside agriculture, contributes to around 25% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions is just maddening.
This has a domino effect on other ecosystems like the natural fauna in forests, or the wildlife in the oceans. Wonder how is deforestation going to affect the oceans? It’s fairly simple actually - our oceans are the biggest medium we have that absorbs the CO2 in the atmosphere. The more CO2 we emit and the fewer trees we have to balance everything, the more carbon dioxide is going into the oceans, resulting in an increased temperature and acidity of the water. Bye-bye crabs and shellfish in the future…
Or not - let’s see what can we do to combat climate change
The first step is to recognize the extent to which our actions influence the environment. Awareness is crucial! We’ll keep contributing more and more to global warming if we continue using more energy, consuming more products, food, and clothes, and powering everything with the same fossil fuels that got us here in the first place. Understanding the sources of emissions is essential for taking action. No one goes blind into battle, right?
Reducing energy consumption is important because it helps us reduce our carbon footprint by lowering our reliance on fossil fuels. And look for green energy solutions in your energy provider list of products. If a provider doesn’t act on green alternatives maybe the moment is right to switch to a competitor that does.
Reducing waste is another way individuals can help reduce their carbon footprint. Incineration of garbage can produce methane gas (one of the most powerful greenhouse gases), so some materials should be recycled or composted instead of being burned in an incinerator. Other materials can be reused or donated to charitable organizations that accept them. We for sure can find ways to use the waste positively because as the saying goes - someone’s trash can be someone else’s treasure. You get the point.
We should be more active in demanding governments take action and we shouldn’t tolerate companies that don’t acknowledge and act to reduce their carbon footprint. Also, did you know that raising livestock contributes tremendously to greenhouse gas emissions of methane? Just think about the fact that methane is way more potent in trapping heat than CO2. Maybe now that you know you’ll think twice before denying the utility of eating more plant-based.
So people - only acknowledging that climate change is happening, is not enough! We have to take a stand. After all, it’s all about our planet and the perpetuity of our species. We can’t wait for others to solve our problems. We need to take responsibility for our actions and those of the people around us. If you think that you can’t make a difference, think again. You’re not alone in this, and the best thing you can do as an individual is to reduce your carbon footprint now.
By
Bill O'Neill
•
September 10, 2024 11:03 AM
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