IT’S TIME WE ALL GOT INVOLVED IN FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
THE Earth’s climate has been changing and global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond.
For over three decades, scientists have been warning us of the dangers of allowing the planet to warm. We all listened but we didn’t hear their expert advice. We listened but we didn’t act strongly enough.
As a result, climate change is a problem that is here right now in front of our faces. Nobody is safe and it is getting worse and ugly at an alarming rate.
It’s time to get serious because every tonne of CO2 emission adds to global warming and without major action to reduce emissions, global temperature is on track to rise by 2.5 °C to 4.5 ° in the few years to come, according to the latest estimates.
It is time we all got involved in the fight against climate change and treat it as an immediate threat just as we have and still treat other threats we have faced.
We can all play a part in helping reduce change. From the way we travel to the electricity we use and the food we eat, we can make a difference.
Every business, every business, every investor, and every citizen needs to play their part. Climate change experts have advised that women and the youth too must be brought to the table.
According to the Young African Leaders Initiative report - women have invaluable knowledge of the community and social norms that can be harnessed into climate action as studies on women and disaster show that when women are engaged as decision-makers in resilience and disaster plans, they are better able to adapt and manage the impacts.
One way to get women more engaged in the fight against climate change is by creating spaces and opportunities specifically targeted toward them to ensure that they gain the skills needed to advance in the renewable energy field.
And for youth who are one of the largest demographics in the world - more than one billion worldwide! There is so much strength and innovation that can come from this group.
A big part of getting youth involved in solving climate change is starting from a solid knowledge foundation.
Society needs citizens who understand the climate system and know how to apply that knowledge in their careers
and their engagement as active members of their communities.
Empowering women and youth in the fight against climate change will benefit everyone and increase the number of supporters and active participants in the climate change dialogue and offer diverse perspectives and solutions.
Governments too need to play their role of financing and supporting the fight against
climate change.
The just-ended Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt is one example of how Governments and Heads of state can come together and brainstorm.
A lot of important decisions were made at the COP27 that when implemented will help reduce global CO2 emissions, slow climate change as well as improve air quality.
The climate change conference concluded with a historic decision to establish and operationalise a loss and damage fund, a decision that was very much welcomed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“Together, let’s not relent in the fight for climate justice and climate ambition,” said the UN chief in his closing statement. “We can and must win this battle for our lives.”
We have made a lot of mistakes in the past that have affected our planet, mistakes we cannot undo. But this generation of political and business leaders, this generation of conscientious citizens, can make things right.
This generation can make the systemic changes that will stop the planet from warming, help everyone adapt to the new conditions, and create a world of peace, prosperity, and equity.
When everyone comes together, with a united purpose to solve this problem, we can surely make a difference.
Let us save Planet Earth.