With the crisis happening for decades, one of the most notable issues is rising temperatures.
This issue began in the 1880s when temperatures increased by 0.08 per decade. However, since 1981, temperatures have increased by 0.18 degrees per decade. This happened because of human activities involving fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, and deforestation. Fossil fuel is used for electrical purposes, and transportation, and its use is harming our environment more every day. This is why eco-friendly fossil fuel resources like wind, solar power, and solar panels are encouraged.
Although we can't go without fossil fuel, reducing its usage can help reduce temperatures over time.
FOOD AND WATER INSECURITY
As of June 2022, 385 million people in 82 countries are affected by food and water insecurity. Severe natural disasters like floods, storms, and droughts, impact the agricultural industry. Due to this, workers depend on the industry to feed their families and make a living suffer. Aside from food, if droughts like the El Nino weather pattern occur, the lack of proper water supplies can cause people to consume contaminated water or dehydrate. Areas like Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa is suffering from poor agriculture due to climate. If this doesn't change, by 2030, 43 million people in Africa will fall under the poverty line.
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
Climate change is a long-term change in our climate system. These range from shifts in hotter temperatures to severe storms, droughts, and more. Climate change has been around since the 1800s and is only getting worse with human activity.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT US?
Climate change deteriorates our air and water quality, which over time, increases the chances of respiratory diseases, weather injuries, allergies, and more.
STATISTICS
•Sea levels have risen 20 cm in the last century. 148 billion tons of ice is lost per year in Antarctica.
• The Arctic Sea ice is declining in thickness.
• 85% of the world is affected by climate change which is caused by humans.
• Close to 50 nations have agreed to be a part of the COP26 health movement at a climate conference.
CAN WE CONQUER CLIMATE CHANGE BEFORE IT TAKES OVER?
Climate change (including global warming) cannot be fixed overnight. However, small actions done daily around the world can slow its rate. They can be:
• Political pressure - Using #ActNowSpeakUp, to get local politicians to create a solution to an environmental problem.
• Carpool or eco-friendly transportation.
• Sustainable shopping, ranging from fruits and vegetables to light bulbs.
• Plant trees! (With permission from your city).
Photography: thumbs.dreamstime.com
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