Climate change crisis became undeniable in 2019 as more natural disasters, and nationwide demonstrations created significant awareness of the existing problem and the need for world leaders and the government to come together to find a solution to the issues.
Most recently, wildfires have killed dozens in south-eastern Australia and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Floods and storms have also left thousands dead or hospitalized in various parts of the world, including; Argentina, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, amongst many others.
World scientists have also said that to undo the most extreme scenarios of climate change, 2020 must be the year for coordinated, comprehensive climate action.
It is important to note that the clock is ticking on climate change, and it necessary to act now as the world presently has more greenhouse gases in our atmosphere than at any time in human history.
Support governments working together
2019 played a significant role as it set the proper global momentum around climate change. New research has shown that seven out of ten Americans are now either informed, alarmed, or concerned about the climate change crisis, a number that has more than doubled in the past five years.
In 2019, hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life, including students, teachers, communities of faith, health care professionals, are taking to the streets to demand an end to climate change crisis. And more than 500 global companies have committed to set climate goals based on the best available science.
Although not successful, governments pledged to work together during the Paris Climate Agreement and also, to reduce worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, keeping temperature rise below 2° C (3.6° F).
Help tackle the escalating climate change crisis
Make environment-friendly choices
According to the independent Committee on Climate Change says what we do can play a significant part in reducing emissions. Notably, 40 percent of the United Kingdom emissions coming from household usage. So choosing renewable energy to heat your home, to improving household insulation, and picking an electric vehicle, individuals can cut their carbon footprint.
Also, reducing your overall consumption of clothes, household goods, toys, amongst others, can help reduce carbon emissions.
Sign online petitions
As a famous rapper said, “one man could change the world.”
This means ordinary people can set up petitions that would help to level the playing field. Many requests can currently be found online, demanding the government be accountable for the current situation.
This could ultimately allow an individual to reshape the public opinion and invariably make a change on huge issues like stopping the climate change crisis.
Stage climate awareness campaign
With a group of friends or a local group to anyone can stage a campaign canvassing for the right attention towards climate change.
The aim is to build upwards to push world leaders and the government to adopt a national action plan that will put the planet on a path to net-zero emissions as soon as possible by tackling transport, heating, energy, and agriculture.
Join a climate change group
There are presently so many climate change groups for would-be activists, from traditional NGOs such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, some more radical groups such as Extinction Rebellion (XR) and its youth section, the school strikes movement, run by the Student Climate Network, and grassroots organizations such as Once in Brighton or Clean Air for Southall and Hayes.
Participating in a climate change group gives one the sense and support needed to thrive while tackling the problem of climate change crisis.
Make climate change everyone’s responsibility
Now it’s our job to prove it. As we approach the upcoming UN Climate Summit and the 2020 deadlines, we need to reduce our emissions and demand others do the same.
If we can reach a tipping point where all leaders understand that we’ll no longer tolerate inaction, those leaders will act. With everyone’s help, we can make 2020 the year we took back our planet.
