We must take action against the negative effects of climate change now, before it is too late to even consider change. This is something that we can all agree on.
Human Interaction
Global warming and climate change are two different things, but they interact with each other. The climate can change naturally, but our human interactivity can effect it negatively. The definition of global warming is one that many organisations such as National Geographic, the Met Office and other environmental groups all agree on. It is the greatest environmental challenge facing the planet today. "Global warming is caused by the increase in concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere related to human activities."
Global warming is the cause of climate change: differing as being, "a change in global or regional climate patterns, a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels."
Fossil fuels are used by human interaction, burning them to generate electricity to create power. But many power stations in the UK, 12% total, have been converted to biomass plants. This is where power is generated through burning wood waste to produce steam, that runs a turbine to make electricity, providing heat to industries and our homes.
This method of productive creates a much lower percentage of CO2. Biomass can often be referred to as being 'carbon neutral' or 'low carbon', yet this is true only if the power station plant fast growing crops on otherwise unproductive land, meaning the regrowth of the plants planted, off set the carbon previously produced by the combustion of the crops.
Sustainable Methods
In our western world, we need lights, we need electricity and we rely on technology to carry out tasks. We need to make electricity, but other methods can be more beneficial for our planet, so that we aren't reverted back to sitting in the dark in a cave, with no connection or knowledge to anything else.
A fellow Mindless writer Madeleine questions how " in a world of capitalism and greed, is it even possible to become sustainable?". You can read her informative article here. The greed of our consumer culture can make us always want more, but more can lead to more damaging effects on our environment.
There are other options for transportation, as the UK government are banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, and more clean air zones are being established. Electric cars are much cleaner for the environment, with zero pollution direct from the vehicle, but electricity will still be needed to charge them. However, the batteries for electric cars will need to be replaced ever 10-20 years, and they can be hard to recycle.
Only some batteries can be recycled, only if they have some power left in them, and it can be questioned why a driver would hand in their car with power left, rather than using the car until its full potential has been reached, that it was intended for? If there is power left, it can be turned into "power packs for mobile vehicle charging. The others that have little to give, will be ground down to a fine powder to extract raw materials such as lithium, nickel, manganese and lithium. The materials can then be rebuilt into more EV batteries."
"The EU’s Battery Directive means that at least 50% of a battery in its entirety must be recycled. Luckily, this isn’t too difficult for battery packs, since the wiring and plastics used to make them can be easily stripped and recycled. What's more difficult to recycle is the actual battery cells and the precious metals they contain. The electrolyte is flammable, explosive and highly toxic. These hazards must be dealt with in any recycling process before the rest of the cell components can be recycled.”
What Can We Do?
There are many simple things that can lead us to reducing the negative impact on our planet, and these shocking statistics will make us consider our actions for the greater cause of our planet:
Climate change causes 150,000 deaths per year.
95% of the thickest Arctic ice is gone.
In the last 30 years, climate change disasters have tripled.
We have less than 30 glaciers left in Glacier National Park.
At home we can make simple changes, and over time, these things we do can add up for the greater good.
We can remember to turn off all lights and electronics when we are not using them, as this will use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling
Switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances, They consume less power per unit (lumen) of light emitted. This reduces greenhouse emissions from power plants. Carbon dioxide emissions for LEDs are also low
Washing with cold water or hanging things to dry, saving electricity
Try to reduce car journeys, consider walking or taking public transport more frequently if possible
The more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds you eat, and less frequently relying on meat and dairy in regular meals, can significantly lower your environmental impact. Producing plant-based foods generally results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires less energy, land and water
“Climate change is real. It is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating" - Leonardo Di Caprio, Actor & Environmentalist.
Join here to become a member of the Soil Association – "the charity digging deeper to change the way we eat, farm and care for our natural world."