CLIMATE CHANGE: WHEN HUMANS ARE THE CAUSE, HUMANS MUST BE THE SOLUTION

Climate change is the harsh reality of today's world. Even if one denies its existence, no one is immune to its impacts. Climate change, which refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, is causing chaos across the Earth. We are witnessing extreme weather events and natural calamities. Year 2022 was recorded as the warmest year ever. Pakistan faced devastating floods, while the Horn of Africa was plagued by drought. We are nearing tipping points. Globally, ice sheets are melting, and permafrost is thawing, which is causing sea levels to rise and releasing dangerous methane gas. The most important question is: How did we reach such a dangerous stage? What has caused this drastic shift in the climate?

There are both natural and anthropogenic reasons for climate change, but the role of human activity has been increasing. It all began primarily with the Industrial Revolution. Humanity began to interfere with nature, and this trend continues with the current era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Keeling Curve, which tracks the rising levels of CO2, testifies to this increasing concentration.

If we examine post-industrial economic activities, many of them are incompatible with the balance of nature. Take agriculture, for example. The rampant use of chemicals, excessive water consumption, and monocropping are harmful to the environment. Fifty-three percent of nitrous oxide emissions come from fertilizers, both organic and mineral. Deforestation and changes in land use further contribute to climate change.

Moreover, urbanization has intensified the impacts of climate change. Human activities in urban areas, such as burning fossil fuels and open landfills (common in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh), contribute to global warming. Industrialization, urbanization, and globalization have improved our standard of living, but at a cost. To maintain a decent standard of living, we often compromise the environment. This correlation between standard of living and carbon footprint is evident when comparing India and the U.S. The per capita emission in the U.S. is 17.6t CO2e, whereas in India, it is just 2.5t CO2e per person. This pattern is repeated globally.

As a result of human activities, global temperatures have already increased by 1.15°C above the 1850–1900 average. Current policies point to a potential rise of 2.8°C by the end of this century. At this rate, the future looks bleak. The ultimate question is: How do we solve this problem? The answer is obvious: Humanity must take action.

Almost four decades ago, humanity was alarmed by something unusual – a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. This was caused by Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances released by human activity. Eventually, the global community took action in the form of the Montreal Protocol, an agreement aimed at phasing down emissions of ozone-depleting substances. With collective efforts worldwide, the ozone hole is now recovering and is expected to fully heal by 2050 – a fate that could have worsened tenfold without such intervention.

Humans were responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer, but humans were also the solution. Similarly, if human activity is the cause of climate change, it is humanity’s responsibility to provide the solution.

Every year, reports such as the State of Climate Report warn us about climate change and its consequences. We've made progress since the Stockholm Convention, the first global environmental summit. We've made promises and commitments, though we've often failed to keep them. The Kyoto Protocol is one example. Although the Paris Climate Agreement seems promising, there is still doubt as to whether we will achieve the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. As the UN Secretary-General has warned, "The era of global boiling has arrived." To prevent further escalation, "We must turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition."

These ambitions require urgent action, and we have only a few years left to make a difference.

What can be done?

1. International Level: Countries must cooperate on technology transfers. Global initiatives, like the Green Grids Initiative, should be supported. We can also take inspiration from the Great Green Wall project of the African Union. Around the world, countries should focus on building sustainable cities with car-free zones, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11. Amsterdam is an excellent example of a successful city in this regard. Green market tools need to be strengthened worldwide.
2. National Level: Governments should implement global conventions more effectively. Laws and regulations, like Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), must be strictly enforced, especially in light of disasters like the Joshimath incident. Phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to sustainable energy sources is essential. We should prioritize electric vehicles (through initiatives like FAME) and renewable energy sources. India presents a good model for other nations, as reflected by its 8th position in the Climate Change Performance Index.
3. Community Level: Collective efforts at the community level are equally important. Communities are more familiar with their local environments and are better positioned to take proactive measures. Community reserves and the success of fully solar-powered villages, like Modhera in Gujarat, testify to this.
4. Individual Level: Individual efforts must supplement national and global initiatives. We need to adopt sustainable lifestyles. "Lifestyle for Environment" (LiFE) will make us "pro-planet people." Small changes, like choosing eco-friendly products and reducing private vehicle use, can have a large impact.

The destiny of future generations lies in our hands. We must remember, "We do not inherit the Earth from our forefathers; we borrow it from our children." Though humanity has many solutions, the journey to combat climate change will not be easy. Balancing development with environmental protection remains an elusive goal. Additionally, developing countries often lack the necessary resources and technology. To make matters worse, some developed nations assert green imperialism. Sometimes corporations fail to adhere to the triple bottom line approach and instead engage in greenwashing, misleading the public. Alongside mitigation, adaptation measures are necessary.

Despite these challenges, many countries are making progress. What we need is to bridge the gap between thoughts and actions. Humans caused this catastrophe, and it is our duty to fix it. We must accelerate our efforts toward solutions and ensure that every small action counts. The time is now. "The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best time is now."

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