Discussing the climate crisis and possible climate change solutions.

Today, climate change is seen as one of the most significant challenges that humanity has ever faced. According to The Nature Conservancy, “The past decade has been hotter than any other time in recorded history.”

Stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would avoid dangerous climate change will require significant reductions in global human-caused Greenhouse Gas Emissions. As climate talks continue to progress around the world over how best to achieve climate action, many different ideas are being presented.

The fact that current commitments fall short of what is required to avert climate catastrophe has never been more apparent. The recent United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, reminds us of this, with countries failing to make sufficient progress toward climate action.

The first draft of the COP26 summit’s final statement urges nations to “revisit and strengthen” the 2030 commitments, as needed, to reflect the Paris Agreement temperature goal by the end of 2022.

In 2015, countries committed to keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (preferably limiting to 1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels — as per the Paris climate agreement.

Since then, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an authority of the United Nations, reported that passing the 1.5°C threshold would result in dire consequences. For example, greater sea level rises, floods, droughts, wildfires, and storms than those that have already occurred — with some irreversible effects. From 1.5°F to 2°F of global warming, the IPCC predicts:

  • At least once every five years, 1.7 billion more people endure significant heat waves.
  • Seas rise by another 10 centimetres on average.
  • Up to several hundred million more people become vulnerable to climate-related hazards and poverty.
  • Coral reefs that sustain oceanic environments in every region of the world may be eradicated as much as 99%.
  • Global fishery catches could decline by another 1.5 million tonnes.
An image of the beautiful Venice in Italy.
An image of the beautiful Venice in Italy

The solution is to take significant action now, utilizing multiple and coordinated strategies

Tackling climate change requires multiple strategies — working together to reduce emissions at the scale required. Fortunately, there is no shortage of ideas for ways to tackle climate change worldwide; climate actions have been implemented in many different countries, including numerous climate change mitigation strategies. Governments are working to reduce human-caused climate emissions by implementing climate policies that address the sources of climate pollution.

Tackling climate change will require significant action to transition away from fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) towards cleaner forms of energy generation. With this shift comes an opportunity for climate mitigation and climate adaptation.

Governments, rural communities, individuals and industry all have a role to play in climate action.

Aerial view at the forest in fog. Beautiful natural aerial landcape at the summer time. Forest and mountains.Top view from drone. Mountain-image.

Nature-based solutions

The potential of nature-based strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist us in coping with the consequences of climate change is enormous. These win-win approaches and practices involve conserving, healing, and maintaining ecosystems to meet society’s needs while enhancing human well-being.

Several nature-based solutions are noted, including climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts that rely on natural opportunities like regulating temperature, generating biomass, purifying water, cycling nutrients, land stewardship, and soil protection.

The climate solution is multifaceted and includes both human activity-based and climate action that relies on natural climate regulating opportunities. For example, climate mitigation efforts could include emissions reductions in energy generation for electricity production. In contrast, climate adaptation could involve planting trees or restoring wetlands to create natural barriers against loss of habitability due to climate change.

Nature-based solutions are seen as one of the most promising options for climate change because they provide so many benefits beyond just addressing climate issues. For example, they focus on climate action through natural ecosystems, not just climate-driven changes to these ecosystems.

This strategy includes reducing deforestation and forest degradation, promoting reforestation, sustainable agriculture practices that improve soil health and water quality, restoring coastal habitats including salt marshes and mangroves, and implementing climate-smart cities by designing new buildings that use less energy.

An example of a climate action that utilizes Nature’s climate-regulating power is a forest protection effort in which new forests are planted to replace the ones being cut down for agricultural use or other reasons. In this way, climate mitigation occurs through carbon sequestration, while climate adaptation occurs through climate change-induced migration.

Developing and advancing clean energy policies

The most significant human activity creating climate change is the use of fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas), with its estimated contribution to climate change being a staggering 78%.

Oil, coal, and gas extraction operations destroy natural environments, wipe out wildlife, and pollute our waters with toxic chemicals. Also, fossil fuels produce dangerous air pollutants long before they are burned. Benzene – associated with childhood leukemia and blood disorders – and formaldehyde (a cancer-causing substance) are two such chemicals.

Governments have a responsibility to create climate legislation that reduces climate change risks created by producing and using fossil fuels. This responsibility includes creating climate action plans, climate targets and goals, climate funds, climate taxes or pricing systems, climate subsidies or incentives for sustainable development initiatives, and climate-based regulations.

What about agriculture?

Agricultural laws also need to change vastly. Farming plays an incredibly important role in making the planet more or less green. For example, crop diversification is one way to tackle the climate crisis. This is because a greater variety of crops make soil and ecosystems more resilient. Similarly, introducing permanent grassland is a compelling way to maintain healthy grassland, supporting carbon sequestration and protecting biodiversity (habitats). 

Regenerative farming is another climate solution. It involves restoring and improving soil health, building carbon content in the soil, and utilizing rainwater more effectively. Regenerative farming uses less fossil fuel inputs and protects ecosystems since it limits chemicals on farmlands. This approach ensures climate change mitigation and climate adaptation through climate regulation opportunities enabled via climate-friendly agricultural practices. An example of this is Brazil’s commitment to reforest 12 million hectares of degraded land by 2023.

Close up of a cow's face.

Here are a couple of case studies where climate action has been implemented in Europe.

Sweden

Sweden has committed to becoming climate neutral by 2045, with net-zero emissions of greenhouse gasses. In fact, Sweden has the world’s highest carbon tax rate.

To achieve this goal, they are utilizing climate actions such as using levies on heavy transport vehicles and taxes based on vehicle mileage to encourage the use of climate-friendly transport alternatives like public transit. Sweden is also using climate actions, such as their climate finance, to support climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.

Norway

Norway has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared with the reference year 1990. This is Norway’s first contribution to the Paris Agreement implementation plan for the years 2021–2030, and it was mandated by law – the Climate Change Act.

Norway’s climate actions include: phasing out petrol and diesel cars; providing climate finance towards climate mitigation and adaptation that reduces climate change while building climate-resilient economies in developing countries.

Norway has several climate actions to reduce climate emissions, such as tax exemptions for climate action investments, funding research and development on climate change mitigation technologies, and providing climate adaptation technology R&D incentives.

Legumes pulses background. Legumes variety flat lay. Pulses and herbs dried uncooked composition top view.

How to reduce your carbon footprint by making mindful food choices

Changing your diet can help to mitigate climate change. One way you can help tackle climate change is by eating more plants. A whole foods plant-based diet (WFPB) requires less land, produces fewer greenhouse gases, requires less water, and promotes animal welfare while still giving people adequate nutrients.

According to a study by Nature, the manufacturing of animal products generates the majority of food-related greenhouse gas emissions. This figure is specifically up to 78% of total agricultural emissions.

Eating more plants would also expand available farmland, which is essential given that the world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050. Plants may also help to lower heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Not to mention, keep blood sugar levels stable.

Not only are plant-based recipes delicious and relatively restriction-free, but they can also easily be readily embraced by cultures worldwide. Here are some ideas:

  • Enjoy plants: by increasing your fruit and vegetable consumption, along with legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas), nuts and seeds, we may collectively reduce the climate impacts that animal farming has. This includes a reduction in water consumed by livestock and emissions from animals. 
  • Meal plan: planning what to eat in advance can minimize the amount of food wasted. This means we can potentially save landfills from masses of toxic waste. 
  • Focus on packaging: it is vital to shift focus to eco-friendly, sustainable or recyclable packaging. Whether that includes frequently used items such as plastic-free bags for food shopping or reusable water bottles and coffee mugs. 

If you’re determined to live sustainably and are searching for ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly, I hope you’ll find these tips helpful.

Final thoughts

Our planet and its civilization are in crisis. Tackling the climate urgency requires global action that spans financial services, energy markets, climate science and climate policies. In addition, the climate crises impacts have been felt in many different facets of life, and everyone needs to take responsibility. Whether you’re an individual who wants to make changes at home or a business owner looking for ways to contribute – there are things you can do! There has never been a better time than now. There are almost 8 billion of us. Indeed, if we all make an active effort, we can bring this catastrophe under control.

Which climate-related challenges concern you most? Let me know in the comments below.

Desi~liciously Yours, Shahzadi

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