As the UAE prepares to host the COP28 meeting in November, where world leaders, scientists and experts are gathering to continue their efforts, which began in 1995, to review progress made by members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to limit climate change and mitigate the potential risks, perhaps we owe it to the planet to take a closer look and see how we, as individuals, can work together to make a difference.
So, what is climate change? First, it’s not just about the weather: according to the UN, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Indeed, such shifts can be natural due to changes in the Sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. Still, since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to heavy industrialisation.
Why is it happening? The global impact of industrialisation was mostly seen as a positive for 200 years – but the downside has become more evident in the last 40 years. While technology has enabled humans to take almost unbelievable strides forward in manufacturing, we have needed fuel to power industrial machinery, and the resulting burning of fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas, generates greenhouse gas emissions that are a bit like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the Sun’s heat in and raising temperatures. This is now recognised as a serious threat to our planet and our way of life. Climate change is causing a number of changes to our planet that are having a negative impact on people, animals, the environment and food security, and we need to take urgent action to address it.
What are its dangers? Rising sea levels are already causing flooding in coastal areas worldwide, with recent rates unprecedented over the past 2,500+ years. Sea level rise is driven primarily by two major factors: the added water from melting ice sheets and glaciers and the expansion of seawater as it warms. People living in low-lying regions are already being displaced from their homes, the infrastructure is being damaged, and water supplies are polluted – and this is expected to get worse in the future.
Climate change is causing more extreme weather events; there are extended heat waves, severe droughts, unexpected floods, and the worst wildfires since records began. It is also causing changes in agricultural yields, which can lead to specific food shortages and price increases. This has a negative impact on food security, especially for people in developing countries. Related to that is a loss of biodiversity, as plants and animals cannot adapt to the changing conditions. This can have a knock-on effect on our precious ecosystem and the services that it provides, such as pollination and pest control.
In addition, warmer temperatures and changing weather patterns are creating more favourable conditions for spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which means that recent medical advances in the fight against them are being negated.
Finally, there are mental health impacts. People who experience the effects of climate change, such as flooding or displacement, are far more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How can we prevent it? There is a tendency to harbour the opinion that one person fighting climate change is an impossible battle, so it becomes easier not to get actively involved, but what if one family, one school, one company or one entrepreneur decided to help spread awareness, share the load, and work together to save the planet? Those collective ‘ones’ would become a driving force for change – and there are many things we could be doing right now that would make a difference in the foreseeable future.
Here are some things that we can do now to address climate change:
Conserve energy and water – every drop of water is the powerhouse of our existence; we can’t afford to waste it, and every electrical device in your home can be properly shut down regularly
because even on standby, your phones, TVs and laptops consume power. Try turning your A/C down and switch lights off when you leave a room.
Eat less meat and more plant-based foods – eating less meat helps reduce pressure on forests and land used to grow animal feed, which in turn protects biodiversity, the Earth’s ecosystems, and people living in poverty who are bearing the brunt of climate change. A recent study found that methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas produced by cattle and sheep, were up to 93% lower for vegetarian and vegan diets compared with high-meat diets.
Support sustainable agriculture – eat local and, where possible, organically grown food because not only is that healthier for you, but it’s also healthier for the planet and reduces reliance on imported foodstuff while lowering carbon emissions from transport. It also supports creating smaller, local businesses, including organic farms, grocers, and restaurants.
Stop using single-use plastics – after many years of living in a throwaway, disposable culture, we are starting to embrace the shift towards sustainability. We can all take an easy step to make a difference by cutting down or eliminating single-use plastics. Plastic is made from non-renewable resources such as crude oil, gas and coal, and according to environmental organisations, it takes enough petroleum to power a car for 1km to produce just 8 plastic bags. What’s worse is that single-use plastic, whether from lunch wrappers or bags, takes anywhere from 20 to 1,000 years to break down, wreaking havoc on the environment and harming or maiming animals. Thousands of birds and sea-dwellers are killed by rogue plastic items each year, with bags finding their way into oceans and other parts of the environment where animals might mistake them for food.
You may have heard of the garbage patches floating in our oceans, a mélange of debris particles caused by increased plastic pollution by human populations. These hard-to-locate collections of plastic and other debris contribute to ecosystem and environmental problems that affect marine life, contaminate oceans with toxic chemicals, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The one in the Pacific Ocean is three times the size of France. Is this the future you want for your planet?
There is some good news on the horizon, though, as many governments worldwide have pledged to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy sources. However, it is a long and expensive undertaking, so let’s help. If we all decide to do our bit for the Earth, no matter how small a contribution, we can make a difference and build a more sustainable future for ourselves, our children and our home.