Global warming is at an all-time high and world leaders need to act now if we want to avoid irreparable damage to the planet.
Scientists warn that if temperatures continue their current path, Earth could reach tipping points — irreversible environmental changes — which may prove devastating for people, wildlife and natural ecosystems alike.
Adaptation to climate change impacts is vital in protecting lives, livelihoods, homes and communities while alleviating suffering for the most vulnerable people. Furthermore, adaptation helps save and enhance natural defenses like mangroves reefs and wetlands that act as natural barriers against extreme events.
1. Get involved in your community
The climate crisis is an international challenge that must be solved collectively. It impacts every community, individual and natural ecosystem around us – leading to weather extremes, natural disasters, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity, food and water insecurity, health risks, economic disruption and displacement; also having an especially harsh effect on poorer communities worldwide.
But we can take steps to address it by working together on practical local solutions. Community groups have already been formed to combat this problem, with people from different backgrounds coming together to create an environmentally-friendly economy that is equitable. Solutions range from encouraging companies to adopt green policies, supporting public lands and stopping offshore drilling.
One key part of combatting climate change involves switching away from fossil fuels towards renewable sources like solar and wind energy, since keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius requires substantial emission cuts across the economy.
Every person can make an impactful statement against climate change by taking simple, everyday steps – like switching to a green electricity provider, taking sustainable transportation options or reducing meat intake – which will all have positive ripple effects in society.
Voting and supporting candidates who support climate justice are also crucial steps toward creating change. Doing so enables elected officials to pass laws limiting carbon emissions and forcing polluters to pay their fair share, or you can donate money directly to environmental nonprofits like Greenpeace that work in your region – especially smaller nonprofits which may not receive as much national publicity, yet still need funding in order to do their work effectively.
2. Support a local sports team
With increased focus on carbon emissions reduction, many sports teams have taken steps to minimize their environmental footprint. This may involve replacing plastic straws with biodegradable ones or encouraging fans to bring reusable cups. It could even involve setting up community recycling stations at stadiums so it becomes easier for fans to dispose of waste properly.
No doubt about it: the planet is in trouble and climate change has become a rising concern. Scientists and activists alike are demanding immediate responses to this problem, prompting media reports to begin using phrases like ‘climate crisis’ to highlight climate change’s dangers while creating an urgency around this matter.
Sponsoring a local sporting team can be an excellent way of showing your commitment to your community, while encouraging young people to engage with sport from an early age. Furthermore, this action may increase visibility among potential customers while simultaneously helping promote your business and expand customer reach.
Some teams even host hit-a-thons or shoot-a-thons where fans can donate a set amount per hit or goal scored by players – it can be an exciting way to raise funds for their team while encouraging fans to come watch their favourite players! This can also be used as an effective way of engaging fans who come out just for this purpose!
One way you can show your support for climate action is to reach out to politicians. There are several organizations offering templates on how to write engaging letters or emails directly to politicians highlighting why climate action matters for your city, region or nation.
3. Go green
There are various ways you can go green, from switching to a renewable energy provider or recycling more. While these individual actions are beneficial, we must go further by calling for policy change – telling our MPs, local councillors and city mayors we want climate action now!
They can create policies to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable living, including green spaces, public transport, cycling infrastructure, air quality monitoring and waste management. They can introduce subsidies for clean energy sources while setting prices on carbon emissions to protect natural carbon sinks. Finally, they could invest in climate solutions that benefit everyone such as energy efficient homes, green jobs and local food production.
Pressure must also be exerted upon them to back international climate action, particularly among developing countries who are most at risk from global warming’s effects. This requires them to commit to fair climate finance allocation, climate justice framework and an equitable transition path for low-carbon economies involving vulnerable communities.
Ask them to commit to reducing their carbon footprint through small steps such as switching off lights and appliances when not in use, cutting down on meat consumption (one of the major polluters of our atmosphere), shopping locally, and purchasing paper products with 100% recycling content. And if they own investments or pension funds, join a growing movement among people to divest from fossil fuel companies by diversifying them with climate-friendly alternatives.
Share what you are doing to motivate friends and family to take action as well. Doing this can disprove the myth that nobody cares about climate change, making it easier for others to take part too.
4. Volunteer
Joining a social movement focused on environmental activities can have an immense impact. There are plenty of environmental-focused groups out there – so find one that resonates with you and join! Some great options to begin include Youth Strike 4 Climate, Possible, The Woodland Trust, Conservation Volunteers, Extinction Rebellion.
One of the easiest changes you can make to reduce your carbon footprint is eating less meat – not only is this good for the planet, but it’s much healthier too! Eating plant-based diets are one of the key ways of doing just that!
Speaking with your MP or local councillor is another effective way of getting involved. They have the power to pass laws that will help address climate change. Activism on climate change should be of importance not just as a vote-winner but as part of creating healthy futures for their communities.
Climate change is a global threat that will impact us all; however, there are solutions available that may help alleviate its adverse impacts – from saving forests to powering homes with renewable energy sources, from combatting deforestation to rewilding landscapes, blocking oil tankers to fracking sites or blocking oil tankers from crossing borders.
But for these solutions to take effect, governments and corporations around the world must place climate change at the heart of their policies and business practices – this means confronting polluting industries head on while simultaneously working toward net zero emissions as quickly as possible.
5. Make a difference
There are various ways we can make an impactful statement; some more dramatic than others. It’s up to each of us as individuals, families and communities to decide how best we can contribute.
It is evident that carbon emissions must be reduced and ecological restoration supported, with production and consumption patterns altered, low or zero emission transportation modes utilized, sustainable land management implemented and biodiversity protected and ecosystems conserved. Furthermore, we must enhance natural carbon sink capacity while increasing their resilience.
One of the easiest things we can do to combat climate change is talk with our family and friends about it and educate them. Voting for politicians who take action against it is also crucial, so get to know your MP and local councillors – their decisions have an effect on green spaces, roads, cycling infrastructure, recycling bins, waste collection services and energy efficient homes – among many other issues.
Make your voice heard and influence politicians by joining campaign groups such as Power for People. Take it a step further by switching your home energy provider to Good Energy or Ecotricity which both source their electricity from renewable sources.
Saving water is another easy and efficient way we can contribute to environmental protection. Pumping, heating, and treating water consumes considerable energy; by cutting back our usage – such as taking shorter showers or only choosing energy-efficient appliances and fixtures – we can save energy while lowering greenhouse gas pollution levels.
If your savings are currently invested with banks such as Triodos or Ecology Building Society, consider switching them over to more sustainable banks like Triodos or Ecology Building Society that invest in renewable initiatives instead of fossil fuel projects.
