Climatic Catastrophe

Dona Senara and Nimanthi Bandaranayake analyse the impacts of climate change and ways to mitigate them

Today’s rising global temperatures have evolved into a massive climate catastrophe that now threatens the survival of humankind. Climate change refers to the fluctuations in long-term patterns of weather conditions including temperature, humidity and rainfall.

Average weather conditions that were consistent over a period of at least 30 years have begun drastically shifting due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. These have led to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and ultimately to the warming of the Earth’s climate.

Here’s an overview of today’s climate change status.

RISING TEMPERATURES The planet’s average temperature has already risen by about 1.1 °C since preindustrial times. If current emissions continue, this could rise to more than 1.5 °C in the next few decades.

MELTING ICE Each year, 750 billion tonnes of ice melt, contributing to the 24,000 tonnes of melted water being added to the world’s oceans every second. The main sources of melting ice are the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, and other glaciers.

RISING SEA LEVELS Since the beginning of the 20th century, sea levels have risen by about 20 cm and are projected to rise by another 30-110 cm by the end of the 21st century, depending on future greenhouse gas emissions.

WEATHER EVENTS Climate change is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods and hurricanes.

OCEAN ACIDIFICATION There is an ongoing decrease in pH levels in the Earth’s oceans as a result of increased absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Since the Industrial Revolution, the pH of the world’s oceans has decreased by about 0.1 units, representing a 30 percent increase in acidity that has a significant impact on marine life.

BIODIVERSITY LOSS Climate change is affecting ecosystems and causing a decline in biodiversity as species struggle to adapt to changing conditions.

IMPACTS ON HUMANS Climate change is affecting human health, livelihoods and food security. It disproportionately affects vulnerable communities including low income populations and indigenous peoples.

According to the UN, if Planet Earth is to preserve a habitable climate, emissions of greenhouse gases must be cut by half by 2030 and to net zero by 2050. Therefore, wide-ranging actions that are fast and effective need to be taken by governments, businesses and citizens. Activities focussed on climate change mitigation aim to reduce and prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, they are designed to promote climate resilience and low emission strategies in countries.

Utilising new technologies and renewable energies, modifying equipment to be more energy efficient, and changing management practices and consumer behaviours, are some examples of mitigation activities.

Mitigating climate change offers those spearheading such initiatives new opportunities – particularly since strong sustainability strategies can help drive companies to new markets. Businesses are in a strong position to be the driving force against climate change.

Working towards carbon neutrality is a meaningful way for businesses to mitigate climate change, and fostering innovation to develop sustainability strategies using renewable energy and waste management will enhance the process. And given the consumer demand for environmentally sustainable goods, businesses are in an ideal position to demand that their supply chains become carbon neutral.

Individual activities are another important aspect of helping this initiative. Reportedly, nearly two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to private households where a person’s power usage, food consumption, transportation modes and purchases add to his or her carbon footprint.

Shifting to eco-transport modes, minimising energy consumption, reducing food waste and adopting the 3R initiative (reduce, reuse and recycle) are a few actions that can reduce the individual carbon footprint, for a greener and safer planet.