According to the European Environment Agency, global warming is no longer a topic for debate; it’s an ongoing reality. Humanity is feeling the ramifications, be it in the form of intense heat waves or the slow but steady increase in sea levels.

Although the situation is expected to deteriorate further, scientists insist that there’s still time for us to steer clear of the most catastrophic outcomes. 

Defining Climate Change

Climate isn’t just about today’s weather; it’s the average atmospheric conditions over a significant period. When we speak of climate change, we’re referring to a shift in those long-term averages.

While Earth’s climate has naturally varied over millennia, scientific consensus holds that the current, rapid shifts are undeniably man-made.[1]

This acceleration is largely attributed to our dependency on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, used everywhere from our homes to our factories and modes of transportation. Burning these fuels releases gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), which traps heat from the sun, elevating Earth’s temperature. [1]

From the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric CO2 has surged by more than half, an increase that shows no signs of abating. Consequently, our planet is approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer compared to the late 19th century. [2]

Consequences Thus Far

A 1.1-degree rise may not sound like much, but its impact has been monumental. We’re already grappling with:

• More unpredictable and severe weather, including droughts, heatwaves, and flooding. [3]
• Melting glaciers and ice sheets causing sea levels to swell. [4]
• Significant reduction in Arctic sea ice. [4]
• Warmer oceans leading to marine heatwaves. [5]

Humans are feeling the brunt of these shifts. For example, persistent drought in East Africa is putting over 20 million people at high risk of extreme hunger [6]. The European heatwaves in 2022 were notably fatal. [7]

Although early warning systems have lessened the death toll from extreme weather events, the economic damage has been astronomical, running into trillions of dollars over recent years, according to the World Meteorological Organisation.

The Future Scenario

To sidestep disastrous outcomes, scientists recommend limiting the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Surpassing this limit may trigger “tipping points”—points of no return that could irrevocably alter Earth’s climate systems. [8]

The gap between a 2-degree rise versus a 1.5-degree rise could spell severe consequences, ranging from warmer extreme hot days to the near-complete loss of coral reefs and hundreds of millions more people being at risk by 2050. [8]

The Global Response

In 2015, almost 200 countries committed to the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Achieving this target necessitates reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. But actual progress has been sluggish, and greenhouse gas levels continue to rise. [9]

As a result, there’s a likelihood that the 1.5-degree target could be breached, based on existing governmental strategies.

What Can You Do At Home?

While sweeping change needs to come from the top, small individual actions can add up:

• Curtail air travel.
• Reduce energy consumption.
• Enhance your home’s energy efficiency.
• Opt for electric vehicles or ditch the car altogether.
• Transition from gas heating to electric alternatives.

What Can You Do At Home?

While sweeping change needs to come from the top, small individual actions can add up:

By taking concerted action now, we can still divert the most calamitous effects of climate change and build a more sustainable future.

What Can Your Business Do?

Incorporate Sustainable Solutions Like Clearvolt

If you’re running a business and wondering how to contribute, look no further than Clearvolt. Designed to both fight climate change and support businesses, Clearvolt offers a zero upfront cost solar energy solution.

By handling everything from planning to installation and maintenance, Clearvolt eliminates the financial barriers to renewable energy adoption. Businesses can then buy solar electricity at a significantly lower rate up to 50% less—than their current energy costs.

Not only does this provide immediate cost savings, but it also empowers companies to lower their carbon footprint substantially. It’s a dual-purpose model that blends fiscal responsibility with environmental stewardship, potentially offering improved EPC ratings and even tax benefits.

Sources

1. NASA (2019). Scientific consensus: Earth’s climate is warming. [online] Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Available at: https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/.
2. Lindsey, R. (2023). Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. [online] Climate.gov. Available at: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide.
3. www.eea.europa.eu. (2023). Extreme weather: floods, droughts and heatwaves. [online] Available at: https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/extreme-weather-floods-droughts-and-heatwaves#:~:text=Extreme%20weather%20events%20pose%20an.
4. NASA/JPL Edu. (n.d.). Educator Guide: What’s Causing Sea-Level Rise? Land Ice Vs. Sea Ice. [online] Available at: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/whats-causing-sea-level-rise-land-ice-vs-sea-ice/#:~:text=As%20these%20ice%20sheets%20and.
5. public.wmo.int. (2023). Scientists assess the impacts of a warming ocean. [online] Available at: https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/scientists-assess-impacts-of-warming-ocean#:~:text=Marine%20heatwaves%20occur%20when%20ocean [Accessed 23 Oct. 2023].
6. public.wmo.int. (2023c). WMO annual report highlights continuous advance of climate change. [online] Available at: https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/wmo-annual-report-highlights-continuous-advance-of-climate-change.
7. public.wmo.int. (2023a). Climate change impacts scar Europe, but increase in renewables signals hope for future. [online] Available at: https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/climate-change-impacts-scar-europe-increase-renewables-signals-hope-future.
8. Armstrong McKay, D.I., Staal, A., Abrams, J.F., Winkelmann, R., Sakschewski, B., Loriani, S., Fetzer, I., Cornell, S.E., Rockström, J. and Lenton, T.M. (2022). Exceeding 1.5°C global warming could trigger multiple climate tipping points. Science, [online] 377(6611). doi:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abn7950.
9. UNFCCC (2023). The Paris agreement. [online] United Nations Climate Change. Available at: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement.