Current Climate Crisis

By Kalia Harrington

For over half a century, climate change has been impacting our world negatively. Climate change impacts our society by disrupting the natural, economic and social systems we depend upon. This disruption affects our food supplies, industry supply chains and financial markets. The impacts of climate change are unfolding in front of us today. Global sea levels have risen 19cm since the beginning of the twentieth century, increasing the risk of flooding for many coastal cities and communities. Heatwaves and droughts have become more common and more intense in many parts of the world, causing harm to human health and more heat-related deaths. Climate change is also affecting food security as rain and heat patterns change. In Southern Europe and some parts of Africa, Asia and South America, crop yields are declining. These factors are severely detrimental if we don’t act now. Here are some ways that we can combat our ongoing climate crisis!

Climate change has been proven to be very important due to the current state of the world. Many of the problems and solutions are known to us now, and ongoing research continues to provide new ones. Experts believe there is still time to avoid the most negative of outcomes by limiting warming and reducing emissions to zero as quickly as possible. Reducing our emissions of greenhouse gasses will require investment in new technology and infrastructure, which will spur job growth. We can combat greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, including energy efficiency, fuel switching, combined heat and power, use of renewable energy, and the more efficient use and recycling of materials. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to slow climate change also reduces air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter. Additionally, lowering emissions will lessen harmful impacts to human health, saving countless lives and billions of dollars in health-related expenses.

Action within our own communities and by big companies has been growing immensely. Towns and cities are currently being designed to be more climate friendly by allowing for more walking, cycling, and public transport. Changing the way we travel is the most powerful action we can take to reduce our carbon footprints.

We can also reduce our impact on the climate by being mindful of where we spend our money. Some ways we can improve this include purchasing from companies that are sustainable and do not compromise the environment. Reducing your carbon footprint is vital as it mitigates the effects of climate change, which has a positive rollout on public health and natural diversity. In addition, this boosts the global economy and leads to innovative environmentally-friendly solutions. Apple, Nike, and Adidas are just a few companies working to live sustainably by using sustainable materials in products, packaging, and marketing. One of the boldest actions you can take as a business is committing to becoming a B Corporation. B Corps are businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance and are legally obliged to consider the planet in all their decision making alongside people and profit. Big companies impact by working to create goods sustainably, help in the fight of our climate crisis.

These are just some of the many ways we can help our environment. We have the power to stop any future compromises to our way of life. Choosing to live sustainably and reduce our carbon emissions help in the fight against rapid climate change. We urge you to act now and help your community work towards a better environmental future!