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There’s more than a 99% chance that this year will be one of the 10 hottest years in recorded history, According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
These are the hottest 10 years currently. All of this happened since 2005 and the previous decade was — you guessed it — The hottest decade recorded.
There was once a time when people could claim that climate change was happening too gradually to act upon with any sense of urgency. However, that time is long gone. The atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration has now surpassed 350 parts per Million (ppm). Back in 1988. It’s now at Nearly 420ppmThe highest concentration in millions of year.
We have seen the evidence of climate change for years. For those still skeptical, we now have enough data for shocking visualizations that demonstrate the scale of the change.
#Temperature anomalies 1880-2017 by country 🌡. It is scary, no matter how you see it. #GISTEMP#dataviz#climatechange#globalwarming
Download / watch hi-res 🎞: https://t.co/ZdGPVTM5yOpic.twitter.com/cAn9wG8FPU— Antti Lipponen (@anttilip) August 25, 2018
These graphics resemble emergency signs flashing for assistance in times of crisis. Yet, governments around the world continue to ignore the emergency.
Humanity is now beyond the point of fully mitigating climate change and returning to pre-industrial times. We’re now in the stage of managing the crisis, adapting to an increasingly hostile planet. We can only avoid worst-case scenarios. Although it might seem grim, this is the only way to avoid worst case scenarios. This would stop a lot of suffering, hardship, and misery, save the majority of the world’s wildlife, and create the possibility for broad environmental regeneration.
As part of our campaign that lasts a year, End Extreme Poverty NOW — Our Future Can’t WaitGlobal Citizen is asking the world to get involved Climate Action Now.
Leaders need to recommit and support the Climate financing: $100 billion annuallyThey promised to adapt and mitigate. We need to take a collective, decisive action that focuses on low-income countries and keeps the temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius. We need to prioritize food security and nutrition by directing climate adaptation resources towards rural communities and smallholder farmers, while also working in partnership with marginalized communities to protect and restore the natural world.
The most recent ReportAccording to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, technology, financial and public consensus are all readily available to ensure a just transition towards a sustainable future.
Climate change is a growing threat. However, the solutions are more readily available than ever.
3 Things You Need To Know About Climate Change
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1.18 degrees Celsius is warmer than preindustrial levels.
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80% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the 20 richest countries.
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We can still reduce global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius and transition to non-fossil fuels.
What’s Causing Climate Change?
At its most basic, climate change is caused by The current economic system, which transforms the planet and its naturally-occurring resources into commodities to be panned for profit by a few.
Under this system, it’s perfectly acceptable to make products and engage in activities that pollute sources of drinking water, the air we breathe, and the food we eat, as long as they generate a profit for someone.
Certain countries and certain economic sectors within the system bear a large part of the blame.
The burning of fossil fuels — coal, oil, and methane gas — for transportation, electricity, and heating releases carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, causing the ongoing rise in average temperatures. Around 75% of emissionsThese are sectors that depend on fossil fuels. 25% of the remaining land is converted into areas for human settlement and economic growth, particularly forests.
The United States is the country that has released 20% of all historical emissions and is most responsible for the current climate crisis. Carbon BriefThe study also showed that the 20 richest countries account for 80%. This means that only 20% of emissions comes from more than 150 countries, which includes the majority of the world’s population.
This inequality is also present at the individual level, with some people having a greater environmental footprint than others. For example, the richest 1% of people account for More emissions than the 50% who are the most vulnerable. The world’s billionaires — like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk — have environmental footprints Many hundred times moreThe average American citizen already has an environmental footprint. Three times greater than the average human.
What are the impacts so far?
A young boy walks by a house in Inchope (Mozambique), Monday, March 25, 2019.
A young boy walks past an Inchope, Mozambique house that was submerged by water from Cyclone Idai on Monday, March 25, 2019. Cyclone Idai has claimed more than 750 lives in the three southern African countries that were hit by the storm 10 days ago. Workers rush to restore electricity and water and prevent the spread of cholera.
The worst irony about the climate crisis is the fact that the countries that are least responsible are actually the ones most responsible. You are most vulnerable to the worst impactsand have the lowest level of adaptability.
For example, only 1% of African countries are represented. 4% of global carbon emissionsThe continent is now facing severe droughts and desertification as well as extreme weather related to climate change.
Global temperatures have risen 1.18 degrees Celsius more than pre-industrial levels. However, extreme heat is occurring in some countries more frequently.
In India, Pakistan, The temperatures have risen above 110 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in recent weeks. These temperatures can be dangerous to human health, making it difficult to work outside for long periods and causing heat stroke, exhaustion and other ailments. They’re especially devastating in communities Those who are unable to access air conditioning easily. Similar heat wave in 2015 More than 2,500 people were killed.
Rising temperatures Public health crises are a serious concern. They also threaten global food supply, increasing hunger and poverty around the world. The World Food Programme warns that another 189 million people will have difficulty getting food. if emissions aren’t drastically reducedTemperatures rise to 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. If there is 4 degrees Celsius of warming, it could lead to 1.8 million people becoming hungry.
The world’s 500 million smallholder farmers who provide a significant portion of the world’s calories are Hotter conditions are difficult to manageThis can dry out crops and soil, and increase pest populations. Many could be forced to stop producing food if they lack the necessary resources to adapt. Global agriculture is actually growing rapidly. Could drop by 30%The global population is expected increase by 20% by 2050 due to climate change. Surge to More Than 9 Billion.
The North and South Poles are located in the United States. Warm at three times the rateAs the rest of the globe, it causes There are trillions of tons worth of ice that needs to meltAnd pour into the ocean. Sea levels have fallen More than 9 inchesOver the past century, coastal regions have been subject to flooding and being swallowed by oceans.
Today’s tropical storms are often accompanied by strong winds. turbochargedby warmer temperatures and higher sea level. Recent years have seen tropical storms dump. Unprecedented rainfall on coastal areas.
The storms’ impact causes severe damage to communities already struggling with adapting to changing environmental conditions. Instead of being used to support smallholder farmers, alleviate poverty, and improve healthcare systems, money is diverted to disaster recovery. The problem gets worse every year. As a result, the problem has gotten worse every year. 132 million peopleCould be pushed into extreme poverty in 2030 Many more people are in multidimensional poverty.
How can we take climate action now?
The Alto Mayo Protected Forest.
The Alto Mayo Protected Forest.
It can sometimes seem as though the climate crisis is not going to end, with rising greenhouse emissions.
The countries have never been better equipped to confront the problem, achieve the Paris climate accord goals, and make a fair transition away from fossil-fuels.
First, countries must rapidly eliminate fossil fuels. This means that there can be no new fossil fuel developments. According to the International Energy Agency.
The $5.9 trillion currently being spent fossil fuel subsidiesNeed to be shifted towards renewable energy and climate adaptation efforts. These subsidies could provide enough funding to ensure that all countries are adequately prepared for climate change.
The remaining amount, if spent on mitigation, could help to restore 30% of the world’s land and marine ecosystems, creating carbon sinks that could get us a third of the way toward reducing emissions in line with 1.5.
Renewable sources of energy don’t even need subsidies at this point — they’re now The cheapest form of energy worldwide. However, to accelerate this transition, governments will need to invest in their widespread adoption and energy storage systems capable of adapting to fluctuations in solar and wind energy.
Companies, particularly those in high-emitting sectors like manufacturing and construction, must set clear and transparent science-based net zero and nature-positive targets to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. These targets should be publicly reported by companies that have already achieved them.
Specifically, the steel and cement sectors — which, combined, contribute 15% to global annual carbon emissions — must step up and sign on to the Race to Zero,United Nations campaign working with cities, regions and investors to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The IPCC ArgumentsCountries can still limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, the emissions must reach a peak by 2025 and then decline by 43% by 2030.
While no country is on track to meet this target, all countries have the ability and must keep their records up-to-date. Contributions determined by the nation(NDCs), under the Paris climate accord to reflect this reality. Then, they must take the necessary steps to achieve their goals at home.
This brings us to the political level. People around the world need to demand bold climate action by their leaders. Governments must shift to a global view of climate change because impacts on climate can happen anywhere.
Global solidarity is dependent on fair climate financing. In 2022, wealthy countries — especially the US, Australia, and Germany — have to fulfill their commitment to provide $100 billion in annual climate financing to low-income countries. To date, countries have Only $80 billion were available. The majority of this funding was in the form of loans that must be repaid. That’s hardly solidarity; true solidarity would mean grants, not loans. Global climate financing is growing in scale as the effects of climate change increase.
Last but not least, food security, nutrition and livelihoods of the most marginalized populations should be prioritized. This is done by directing substantial climate adaptation resources to rural communities as well smallholder farmers.
The planet is remarkable resilient. Wildlife thrives when there are no harms. The same principle applies for humanity. We can transcend the current system and learn to live in an altered future with higher climate risks.
People will be able to manage and avoid heat waves, hurricanes, droughts, and any other disasters that may come their way in the future.
You can join the End Extreme Poverty NOW — Our Future Can’t Wait campaign by signing up as a Global Citizen (either HereOr by Download the Global Citizen App) and joining us in Climate action now.
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