New Report Finds The Climate Crisis Is Not Looking Too Good

In case you missed it, the United Nations’ IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - a board made up of hundreds of scientists and governments) has released their most comprehensive climate change report ever and it’s not looking great for us at all. If you’re like me, who had no idea about global warming five years ago, let me explain it and why you should care.

Climate change and global warming is driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and is the result of shifts in weather patterns, also affecting the biodiversity of plants and animals that play a massive role in our world.

What the report says

To put it into perspective, Australia’s land areas have warmed by 1.4C since 1910 and the world could hit 1.5C by 2030 if nothing changes - hitting code red for humanity, apocalyptic levels and will be irreversible; changing the way we live on this planet forever. 

Here are some of the key findings from the report that might get you thinking differently:

• Fires are projected to get worse and more frequent - weather events like bushfires will be prolonged
• Heatwaves and ocean acidity are expected to rise, endangering coral reefs
• Based on the high population and urbanisation within city areas, they’ll capture more heat, which will see dramatic changes
• Heavy rainfall and floods are projected to worsen

Where does Australia stand in this?

According to the Sustainable Development Report 2021, Australia is ranked 35 based on their index score and that just shows how much we need to change as a country.

It’s a bit bleak to hit you with such discouraging information but the sooner we know what’s happening, the better we can act on it. 

The IPCC report does not mention how we need to combat these problems and as climate activist Greta Thunberg says:

It doesn't tell us what to do. It is up to us to be brave and take decisions based on the scientific evidence provided in these reports. We can still avoid the worst consequences, but not if we continue like today, and not without treating the crisis like a crisis. 2/2

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) August 9, 2021

We’re young, driven and passionate - we are the people that can make a difference and a change to the world and when the generations above us pass, it is left up to us. So, how can we stop this from happening?

What can we do to help act on climate change?

Vote for parliamentary members that prioritise action for climate change

Or better yet, contact your local MP. Write them a letter, send them an email and turn up at their local events.

Talk to your friends and family about it

The amount of times my dad says “kids these days can’t live without hair dryers and charging their electronics” but then yells at the TV when he sees a climate change protest happening.

Look, we’re not all perfect and sometimes we can’t avoid it but as soon as we start having conversations and adapting so that we can all make an impact, the better.

Reduce your own carbon footprint

Turn off lights if you’re not in the room, use LED bulbs, unplug devices when you’re not using them, do full loads of laundry, buy less clothes and be conscious about spending, don’t pre-rinse your dishes, take shorter showers, turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth, take the train over driving, shop second hand. Every little conscious effort counts.

Speak up at work

Are there ways that your work can do better? Ideas generally have a ripple effect and if your workplace gets around it, good on them. 

Whether that means going paperless, implementing a reusable coffee cup rule, reducing energy, adding some greenery to the office - each little bit counts. 

Understand what “greenwashing” is and how businesses use it to their advantage

A lot of companies have a corporate social responsibility to follow, where they basically tell their internal (employees, investors, customers) and external (community members, public) what their company is doing to combat economic, social and environmental issues. A lot of the time, they’re using big fancy words and unsupported claims to make it appear that their practices are more climate-friendly than they actually are. 

Some banks and superannuation funds also invest in industries with high-emissions - so have a look into how your money can affect the climate.

While we fight for action to be taken, just remember that we have the power to make the change. While some may think paper straws, reusable bags and eating less meat sucks, global warming goes way beyond this and we need to look ahead before it’s too late. It’s up to all of us to change our current habits and make the one world we’ve got a better place.