Scientists Are Reporting The Best News On Climate Change In Decades
For decades, the dialogue around climate change has been dismal. Deforestation, massive species extinction, and the reluctance to act have caused climate change scientists to issue bleak forecasts about the future of earth. But, in the last few years, there has been a groundswell of change. In a recent article in The Conversation, climate scientists Gabi Mocatta and Rebecca Harris explained why they have more hope for the planet than they’ve had in decades.
The research is clear.
While much of the research is devastating, knowing the details of the problem is the first step towards solving it. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR6 reports, which are the latest assessment of the science and social responses to climate change, will be released in time for the next major climate summit in Glasgow in November. This detailed research and recommendations will give policy makers even more knowledge and incentive to act.
Support from the public
In late 2020, The Peoples’ Climate Vote (The largest ever global opinion survey on climate change) found that 64% of people consider the climate crisis a “global emergency”. Among people with post-secondary education, the support was over 80%, emphasizing the importance of education in gaining support for climate-friendly policy.
The increased public awareness is partially attributed to the unprecedented student climate strikes in 2019 that brought climate change to the forefront of media agendas and into conversations around dinner tables. Films like David Attenborough’s A Life On Our Planet have made the climate change crisis indisputable for audiences around the world.
While research has shown that learning more about climate change actually makes people feel powerless, accompanying that knowledge with concrete ways to act can give back a sense of control. Using tools such as carbon accounting apps can help us acknowledge how we are contributing to the problem and lessen our household emissions. These behavioral changes are significant as some research shows that household emissions account for 72% of the global total.
Policy and corporate changes
Increased public awareness and pressure has pushed businesses and policymakers towards more action. At Biden’s recent climate summit, the US committed to a 50-52% cut in greenhouse gas emissions reduction on 2005 levels by 2030. The UK promised a 78% emissions reduction by 2035, while the EU pledged to cut emissions 55% by 2030 on 1990 levels, and Japan committed to a 46% cut by 2030 on 2013 emissions.
Around 120 countries have committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Even the current largest emitter, China, has committed to carbon neutrality by 2060, or sooner.
On the business front, investment in climate solutions is garnering increasing interest as companies compete to develop more sustainable solutions.
What’s next?
While the current momentum towards sustainability is a positive step, it isn’t enough. We need immediate action to avoid a catastrophic temperature rise of 3-4℃ by 2100.
The following actions need to happen in the next decade in order to avoid worst case scenarios
Putting the international commitments to deep emissions cuts into action, with clear pathways to net zero.
Coal needs to be phased out quickly, carbon pollution taxed, and investment in climate solutions incentivised.
People in developed countries will need to accept fundamental lifestyle changes.
Decision makers must construct policies to guide sustainable lifestyle changes.
Investment in such technology initiatives as direct air carbon dioxide capture must be massively scaled up.
Nature-based solutions such as reafforestation and restoration of carbon sequestering ecosystems will need to be ramped up.
The future of our planet will depend on continued awareness and decisive action on climate change. The COVID pandemic has shown us that governments are capable of making and enforcing policy based on science. With increased education and public support, legislators will have a clear mandate to direct all possible resources towards the imminent climate emergency.