Our Planet in Peril
Climate change has raised a global alarm, subjecting both well-developed and underdeveloped countries to its dangerous effects. Climate change is not a recent issue today, but rather it has been always existed over the passing decades. Has the day come to pay the bill of the climate change?
Doubtless, humans and their activities have had a significant impact on climate change.
To start with, fossil fuels burning such as coal and oil increases heat-trapping green house gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere leading consequently to raise the Earth’s average surface temperature. Moreover, cutting down forests has been a main driver of climate change by reducing the capacity of an area to absorb and store carbon dioxide so the overall ability of the ecosystem to sequester carbon is diminished, leading to increase concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Furthermore, human industrial activities are also main causes of the current rapid pace of climate change. To illustrate more, manufacturing, mining and cement production release green house gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. These emissions lead to an imbalance in the energy budget of the Earth, resulting in a net warming effect.
Certainly, climate change necessitates behavior change. However, the well- developed countries have a greater responsibility to find solutions to combat this worldwide environmental issue due to their capabilities. Based on this premise, some countries have begun taking tangible actions to face this problem, although they may still be working towards reducing the use of petrol and coal in their industries.
By 2030, ninety trillion dollars will be invested in the green economy, and the United States of America intends to allocate eleven billion dollars annually for the purpose of developing a new climate strategy. While France has adopted a practice of utilizing trees to naturally cool the environment by creating a green belt. Germany has also begun employing filters in its factories and generating solar energy. Whilst China has made a shift away from traditional factories and has made attempts to incorporate renewable energy sources in its industrial everyday practices.
Definitely, environmental sustainability and the well-being of our planet depend on collective efforts from people of all ages so each individual has to take concrete actions such as reducing waste, conserving energy and water, planting trees, using public transport, supporting environmental initiatives and so on to create a healthier planet.
Of course, organizations play a crucial role in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability since they have the capacity to reach a wide audience and educate people about the importance of our environment by conducting awareness campaigns, organizing events and funding projects that align environmental goals.
All in all, individuals and communities have to join forces to tackle challenges that our planet is exposing to and highlight the importance of collaboration in finding solutions to this pressing issue.
Tania Aboukors
August, 17, 2023
