Global warming has been an issue for decades, but only now when we are at death's door are people starting to wake up. Ella Feeley tells us more:
Artwork by Kate Granholm (IG: @Katesartthings).
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published the final part of their over 3000-page sixth assessment report on the climate crisis on the 20th of March this year. The report, labelled the Synthesis Report, is a comprehensive review by the world's leading climate scientists and acts as a final warning after over 30 years of alarm bells. While the results found inside are grim, all hope should not be lost.
The report found that human beings, primarily through the use of greenhouse gases, have ‘unequivocally caused global warming’ (A.1, Summary for Policymakers). Our planet is now 1.1°C above what it was between 1850 and 1900, and it reached this height in only 9 years between 2011 and 2020. Implications by nationally determined contributions (NDSs) at the level of Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 make it ‘likely’ (A.4) that global warming will surpass 1.5°C during this century, and if we hit this temperature, it will become significantly harder to get it below 2°C in the future.
According to the Emissions Gap Report 2022 (EGR), current pledges made by governments during COP26 (26th United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Glasgow show promise, but do not take on the rapid change that is required to lower emissions below 2°C by the end of the century. According to the EGR, we need to see a 45% decrease in emissions by 2030 to prevent global temperatures above 1.5°C, or a 30% decrease to meet a 2°C target. Yet unfortunately, current climate goals across the globe are set to miss our cut off date. These findings confirm that while we are on the right track, governments are not moving fast enough to win the race.
It may feel as though the effects of global warming are far away, but they are in fact already being felt across the world. Unfortunately, while it is those that have contributed the least to GHG emissions that feel the effects the most, countries with higher contributions are still able to experience these effects globally. This is evident in the deterioration of agriculture and food security, mental health, weather, infrastructure, and the worsening of infectious diseases and heat. Scientists can predict that if global warming continues to rise into 2100, those who are around 70 years old in 2090 will experience a surface temperature change of 4°C and above (Figure SPM.1). Our future depends on how we address climate change, and not in the future, but right now.
So what do the IPCC suppose we do? Well, focus has been placed on governments across the globe to change their policies, with the IPCC providing a summary of their report for policymakers to make it more concise and easier to follow key points. It is emphasised that if the world sees a ‘deep, rapid, and sustained reduction’ in GHG emissions, we will start to see a clear deceleration in global warming ‘within around two decades’ (B.1). The actions we take now will not just impact us today, but will affect the world ‘for thousands of years’ (C.1).
While there is not much that we can do as individuals to change global warming on a larger scale, we can still help by limiting our own emissions in day-to-day life. Some actions you can implement right now include:
● walking, cycling or taking public transport;
● not using more heating than you need in your house/flat;
● using low energy lighting, e.g. modern LED lightbulbs;
● recycling paper, plastic cartons, glass, food waste, etc.;
● selling/buying old or upcycled furniture and clothes;
● cutting out or eating less meat and dairy products;
● buy locally sourced food and products.
Why these solutions? Well, studies have found that cutting meat and dairy is the single most effective way to reduce your emissions. Even just scaling down your consumption each week will help. A study by the journal Science found that these two products use 83% of farmland and contribute a huge 60% to agriculture’s GHG emissions. The scientists in the study found that the most unsustainable vegetable and cereal growing was still not nearly as harmful to the environment as the most sustainable meat and dairy products.
Additionally, travelling less by car can be hugely effective, not only saving you money, but also having a very positive effect on emissions. We saw this during the COVID-19 pandemic when travel emissions dropped massively during lockdowns.
We can also take part in the second-hand clothing/furniture trend that has gained huge popularity recently. It is not only good for your bank account, but the world at large. Fast-fashion is a huge problem when it comes to the health of not just our planet, but also our mental health. Shopping and donating to charity shops, or using online stores like Depop or Ebay to buy and sell, is a great way to do your part. Even by delivering purchases by hand or organising a collection if you are not far away from a buyer can be a great way of combating emissions.
For greater scale improvement, it's on the government to implement changes. While focus has never been on climate change in a way that reflects its importance in today's world, there have been, at the very least, some improvements in how we are thinking about and dealing with it. So next time you hear about a strike, a climate protest, or any opportunity at all, take your loudest voices with you and shout across the rooftops, because we need to fight for this planet with all that we have. This demon is on our doorstep, and the last thing we want to do is invite it inside. Our home, mother Earth, is killing us because we are fighting against her, so let's be kinder to her while there is still hope for a livable and sustainable future.
For some interesting further reading, please check out: