Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today. Many people feel overwhelmed and think these problems are too big to solve. But the truth is, we have already solved big environmental problems in the past. By looking at the data, we can see that there is hope. This article will explore what the news hides about climate change and how we can tackle it.
Why the News Makes Us Feel Doomed:
The news talks about bad things happening due to climate change. It leaves a feeling of helplessness, it is not possible to solve these problems. However, when we take a step back and look at the facts, we can see that human beings have solved big problems in the past. We can do it again.
The Power of Data:
According to data, though we find massive problems at one end of the spectrum, we are similarly discovering solutions, hence proving those problems can actually be solved as well. But when we leave aside the sensationalism of seeing all the devastating news and come face to face with the available data, progress does show signs that we do fight climate change.
What Causes Climate Change:
The primary driver of climate change is greenhouse gases. These gases arise from human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, driving gas-guzzling cars, and, actually, the process of farming. To address climate change, four areas will require attention:
- Energy
- Transport
- Food
- Construction
Let’s look at each of these areas individually and how we can start fixing them.
1. Energy: Moving Away from Fossil Fuels:
The largest source of greenhouse gases is energy. Most of our energy comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. To fix this, we need to switch to cleaner energy sources like:
- Solar power (energy from the sun)
- Wind power (energy from the wind)
- Hydropower (energy from water)
- Geothermal power (energy from the Earth’s heat)
- Nuclear power (energy from splitting atoms)
Will Renewable Energy Take Up Too Much Land?
Some people are afraid that solar panels and wind turbines will occupy a lot of space. But it is a reality that we actually do not require much land to generate renewable energy. For example:
- Solar Power: We could generate enough solar energy for the whole world if we used only less than 1% of the world’s land.
- Wind power: Only 5% of the land is used, but the space taken up is minuscule. The land around the turbines can be farmed.
- Nuclear power: These power plants make use of less than 0.1% of this earth.
What About the Materials Needed for Renewable Energy?
Some people express concern that we’ll run out of materials like lithium and copper to build renewable energy systems. But that’s not the case. In fact, every year we find more of these materials.
Further, it is much better to mine for renewable energy materials. The quantity of coal, oil, and gas we are digging up each year is 15 billion tons. To mine for renewable energy, we need a tiny fraction of this.
Is Renewable Energy Expensive?
In the past, renewable energy was expensive. But over the last 10 years, the cost of solar and wind power has dropped a lot. Now, they are cheaper than coal and gas in many places. This makes it easier to switch to clean energy.
2. Transport: Reducing Emissions from Cars and Trucks:
Transport is another major source of greenhouse gases. Some 20% of our CO2 emissions come from cars, trucks, trains, ships, and planes.
How Can We Reduce Transport Emissions?
- Drive less: Walk, bike, or use public transport instead of driving.
- Switch to electric cars: Electric cars produce fewer emissions than petrol or diesel cars.
Are Electric Cars Really Better?
Some people believe electric cars are not better because making their batteries creates emissions. But after just two years of driving, an electric car pays off the “carbon debt” from making the battery. Over its lifetime, an electric car produces half to two-thirds fewer emissions than a petrol or diesel car.
Also, as we use more clean energy, electric cars will become even cleaner.
Are People Switching to Electric Cars?
Yes! The world has already passed the peak of petrol and diesel car sales. In 2018, sales of these cars started to fall. Now, all the growth in the car market is coming from electric vehicles.
3. Food: Reducing Emissions from Farming:
Food is another big source of greenhouse gases. About 25% of global emissions come from food. This includes:
- Land use change: Cutting down forests to make farms.
- Farming: Using fertilizers and raising animals such as cows and sheep.
How Can We Reduce Food Emissions?
- Make farming more productive: Grow more food on less land.
- Change our diets: Eat less meat and dairy, which have a high carbon footprint.
- Waste less food: About one-third of all food produced is wasted. By wasting less, we can reduce emissions.
4. Construction: Reducing Emissions from Buildings:
The final big source of emissions is construction. This includes making materials like cement and steel.
How Can We Reduce Construction Emissions?
- Use less cement: We can use lower-grade cement or mix it with other materials.
- Capture CO2: When cement is made, it releases CO2. We can capture this CO2 and store it underground.
- Use new materials: Some companies are experimenting with materials like calcium silicate, which don’t produce CO2.
Why We Must Be “Urgent Optimists”:
In order to combat climate change, we have to be “urgent optimists.” This simply means that we should believe in solving these problems but act right now.
What’s an Urgent Optimist?
An urgent optimist is somebody who believes the following things:
- We can actually solve this.
- We do it fast.
- They work harder at making a better future.
This is unlike a “complacent optimist,” who thinks everything will get better without doing anything for it to happen.
Why Optimism Is Important:
Human progress of old often hurts the environment. But now, we have technologies that allow us to grow and improve without harming the Earth. We also have intelligent people and strong institutions tackling these issues.
It’s not a sure thing that we’re going to solve climate change, but we have the tools and the chance to do it. It’s up to us.
What the News Hides:
The news really focuses on the terrible things about climate change. It makes everyone feel scared and hopeless. But again, the news does not always show the progress we’re making.
The Good News:
- Renewable energy is getting cheaper and better.
- Electric cars are becoming increasingly common.
- More people are changing their diet to eat less meat.
- New technologies are helping us lower emissions from construction.
By looking at the data we see progress. This gives us hope for being able to solve climate change.
Conclusion:
Climate change is a big problem, but it is not impossible to solve. We have the solutions, and we are making progress. The news often hides this progress, but by looking at the facts, we can see there is hope.
We must strive to be urgency optimists, that is, confident that we shall solve climate change and act immediately to make the change happen so that we make a better life for ourselves in the future while also saving planet Earth.
FAQs:
1. What causes climate change?
Greenhouse gases from energy, transport, food, and construction.
2. Can we solve climate change?
Yes, by using clean energy, electric cars, better farming, and new construction methods.
3. How can we reduce transport emissions?
Drive less, use public transport, and switch to electric cars.
4. How can we reduce food emissions?
Eat less meat, waste less food, and make farming more efficient.
5. How can we reduce construction emissions?
Use less cement, capture CO2, and try new materials.
6. What is an urgent optimist?
Someone who believes we can solve climate change and takes action to make it happen.