What is climate change?
Climate change describes long-term changes on Earth of great significance such as precipitation, temperature, and other climate indicators. It is primarily caused by the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which traps the sun's heat and warms the Earth's surfaces.
Six major causes of climate change
The major cause of climate change is the burning of Fossil Fuels such as coal, oil, and gas which release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Deforestation and other land-use changes are major contributors as trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so when forests are cut down or burned, the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere.
Agriculture is a source of emissions, through the use of fertilizers, which release nitrous oxide into the atmosphere.
Various industrial processes also contribute through the release of gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and chlorofluorocarbons.
Transportation, particularly the use of cars and aeroplanes, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
The increasing population is also contributing to climate change as it increases the demand for energy, food, and transportation.
Households should not make large changes at home
I believe that it is completely unfair that society has formulated this concept that the regular people of the world should have to make multiple uncomfortable life changes such as awkward public transport routes and relatively pricey purchases such as sustainable reusable containers instead of the more affordable and convenient single-use plastic bags. Whereas, those with so much more money can afford to fly private jets instead of using public planes which can vastly lower emissions. A couple of celebrities that hit the news for logging flights of just 18 minutes long are Drake and Kylie Jenner. A report affiliated with the Washington Post stated that planes affiliated with celebrities emitted an average of more than 3,376 metric tons of CO2 which is roughly 480 times more than an average person’s annual emissions. What makes it okay for these celebrities to produce so many additional emissions when it is far more environmentally friendly for them to use public transport? So why should WE the regular person make our lives more difficult for a rich entitled person to undo our efforts within a mere short time of 18 minutes?
Should households make changes?
The majority may say that encouraging households to make changes can have a cumulative impact and encourages policy change. The total impact of multiple small changes across households worldwide can be incredible. If lots of households reduce their energy consumption, plastic usage and meat consumption, this can add up to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and wastage. Small changes at the household level can also encourage policy changes locally and worldwide. By demonstrating beneficial changes in sustainable practices, households can encourage governments to invest in renewable energy, public transportation, and other initiatives that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, small changes made by households can have a huge impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. With collaboration and education, small changes can make a substantial contribution towards a more sustainable future. But will it ever deal with the issue of mass consumption and waste within the top wealthiest?
Who can really make a change?
Popular belief suggests that the ones with power should be doing more to resolve the issue of climate change. In this circumstance, it would be the government, what's stopping them from making consequences more severe or increasing investments? I mean permanent damage is being made and we are running out of time to undo all that's gone wrong. Why aren't we doing what we can to fix it? The government may opt to set limits on how much CO2 can be emitted in a myriad of sectors such as transportation, power generation, industry and buildings. For example, the government can establish fuel efficiency standards for vehicles or require power plants to use cleaner sources of energy. The Government also can choose to increase investments in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions.
My overall thoughts
Climate action most definitely can start at home with better decision-making and appropriate education. Although, significant impacts can only be made if those small groups with high emissions make significant decisions that help better the world.