Diverting disaster - flattening the climate curve
How long until it’s too late to save Earth from climate disaster? A climate clock is starting it’s countdown and in less than 8 years Earths “carbon budget” will be depleted, based on current emission rates. The carbon budget is the amount of CO2 that can still be released into the atmosphere while limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Less than 8 years is our deadline, the time we have left to take decisive action to keep global warming below the 1.5C threshold.
What does this mean?
A total depletion of carbon budget and a temperature increase above 1.5C would propel the world into devastating and permanent turmoil; amplifying floods, droughts, wildfires, famine, extreme heat waves, limited water availability, conflict, human displacement and mass extinctions, warns a 2019 NASA report on global climate change.
The message is simple, for Earth to survive carbon emissions must be reduced before catastrophic effects become irreversible and human existence is threatened.
“The world is literally counting on us. Every hour, every minute, every second counts.” Climate Clock artist Gan Gohan
But we have a lifeline that comes in the form of energy being supplied from renewable sources. Currently 27% of the world’s energy is from renewable sources, we have less than 8 years to get our lifeline to 100% before the carbon budget depletion reaches 0.
So what can we, as individuals, do to help change the dial?
We can do lots of things and we can start today. We must look at our everyday habits and behaviours and start making more conscious choices. We must support those companies that are working hard to create a more sustainable future and we must hold those that aren’t to account - by not supporting them with our money.
We all need to get involved, it’s no longer acceptable to say that we are only one person in a global population of 7.8 billion. Collectively we can make a positive impact and become part of the solution instead of being part of the problem.
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” Anne Marie Bonneau, Zero Waste Chef.
So why do people still buy products from brands that are climate change contributors?
Brand aspirations, convenience and price often drives desire before thoughts of protecting our environment. We need to change our habits but behavioural change is difficult when it’s not impacting us directly, right here and now. In 2015 Bill Gates and disease and flu experts warned the world that a pandemic was inevitable and how we needed to prepare - the world was no more prepared when Covid-19 hit in 2020, bringing every country to its knees. Scientists have been warning the world for years about the effects of climate change and the need to change how we live...hopefully 2020 brings a new perspective for everyone, everywhere.
SO WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS TO CHANGE?
We need to get better at telling the stories and championing those brands that are investing in sustainable development, that are invested in protecting our planet, so consumers can take action when it matters most - at the checkout. We need to put power in the hands of businesses and consumers so they can offset their own emissions. We need to continue to educate consumers on why living sustainably is essential, not only for the health of our planet, but our own health and wellbeing. We must put pressure on Governments to create more appropriate waste collection and recycling infrastructures and work with industries to invest in innovative research and development.
9 out of 10 consumers are concerned about climate change, we need to change that concern into considered and decisive action.
We still have time to flatten the climate curve, but we must be bold, act big and act fast.