It’s time to begin to flatten the climate curve
We must start heeding climate scientists the way we do health-care leaders
As we contemplate reopening our economy and taking the first steps out of our homes, it’s a perfect time to reflect on some important lessons that COVID-19 has taught us. We weren’t as prepared as we should have been for the pandemic. We have an opportunity now, today, to be better prepared for an even bigger crisis rapidly gaining momentum around us; climate change.
We did two things right this time around: we worked together, collectively, for the common good. And we listened to science.
It’s been absolutely astounding how quickly people around the world have heeded the advice of medical scientists.
We’ve willingly entered into self- isolation at the expense of our per- sonal relationships, our social lives, our personal financial health and our economy. We’ve unselfishly taken this step for the benefit of our own health and for our loved ones, for our community and our country, in a collective effort the likes of which have not been seen since the Second World War. As a result, we’ve almost succeeded in “flattening the curve,” at least in Canada, for now.
Now we must build on what we’ve learned through COVID and work together to flatten the climate curve.
The International Panel on Climate Change reported in 2018 that human activities have caused approximately 1 C of global warming above pre-industrial levels, and temperatures are still climbing (ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/spm/); 1.5 C is considered to be a crucial tipping-point beyond which we risk irreversible, catastrophic change. We must reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent (from 2010 levels) by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2050 to avoid exceeding this tipping-point and the most catastrophic, irreversible impacts on our ecosystems, our health, our food production, economy and security.
Canada’s performance on a percapita basis ranks a “D” grade, at 20.3 tonnes per person vs. 12.5 tonnes on average for 17 OECD countries (conferenceboard.ca). We all have an important role to play in flattening the curve. Fortunately, the steps we need to take not only help tackle climate change, but help us to live healthier, more prosperous lives.
There are several key, practical steps we can take as individuals:
Use energy wisely. Understand and track your energy bills to see how you’re using energy — then take steps to reduce. Unplug appliances when not in use, put on a sweater and turn down your thermostat a degree in winter. You’ll reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and free up cash.
Drive less — walk, cycle or take public transit. You’ll be improving your health as well as reducing your carbon emissions.
Eat a more planet-friendly diet — eat more meatless meals, buy organic and local, avoid food waste, compost and even grow your own food.
Be a conscious consumer — buy less, buy higher quality items built to last, and buy from responsible sources.
Similarly, the actions that businesses need to consider are strategies that actually improve performance and enhance success: Conserve/reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Start by understanding where your emissions are coming from — you can’t manage what you don’t measure! Simply changing behaviour can result in savings without investing a cent.
Educate and engage employees in your climate change and sustainability planning. Engaged employees are more productive, and you’ll be amazed at how taking a climate lens on your business will drive innovation.
Reduce waste — use resources (including water) wisely, recycle and reduce your waste to landfill.
Rethink your purchasing strategy to buy from responsible, sustainable sources. Let your suppliers or contractors know about your climate and sustainability priorities.
Businesses have been seeing positive results from these practices across our region, as reported by nonprofit Sustainable Hamilton Burlington (SHB) in their just-released Annual Impact Report (sustainablehamiltonburlington.ca/report.) Members of SHB’s Sustainable Business Initiative have committed to reducing 56,167 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions so far. This is equivalent to taking 12,135 passenger vehicles off the road for a year, or the amount of energy needed to run 6,481 homes for a year. As of 2019 they’ve actually reduced almost 36 per cent or 20,279 tonnes. We know what we need to do. Let’s heed the advice of climate scientists as diligently as we’ve followed the advice of our medical scientists — because this pandemic and all the loss of life, illness and economic emergencies provide just a glimpse into an even bigger catastrophe with even more devastating local and global impacts.
Let’s learn from COVID and work together for a future that will be better for us all — because we can. Sandi Stride is a business sustainability and climate change consultant, Sustainable Hamilton Burlington Founder and strategic adviser, and former executive director of the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk College.