We are all aware of the rising sea levels, melting ice and high temperatures. However, prominent scientists are now saying that we have only three years to Save The Planet.
How will climate change affect me?
Climate change affects every single person on this earth. According to National Geographic, here are some of the consequences of climate change:
- Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earth’s poles.
- Many species have been impacted by rising temperatures.
- Sea levels are expected to rise between 7 and 23 inches (18 and 59 centimeters) by the end of the century.
- Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger.
- Floods and droughts will become more common.
- Less fresh water will be available.
If everyone is aware, why is there no urgency?
We have heard about the rising temperatures and sea levels, we have been told it will soon be too late to reverse the damage, yet there is very little tangible action taken to stop the trend.
Political changes, including the Trump administration's denial of climate change, the Paris climate agreement that lost some of its members, the cost associated with action, have deterred governments from taking sufficient action to make a difference.
Also, in recent decades, governments have kept an optimistic tone when it comes to climate change, denying the seriousness of the situation and doing the bare minimum to appease citizens.
What needs to happen to save the planet?
The letter, whic was published in June, urges governments, businesses, scientists, and citizens to take action on the world's greenhouse-gas emissions. The plan outlined goals for 2020, including:
- Increase renewable energy to 30% of electricity use.
- Eliminate fossil fuel energy by 2050.
- At least 15% of all new vehicles sold should be electric.
- Reduce emissions from deforestation by 50% well before 2050.
- Issue more "green bonds" toward climate-mitigation efforts.
Christiana Figueres says, lead-author of Nature and former head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) feels we are at a doorway of being able to cut emissions to a downward trend by 2020.
It is not too late
It is not too late if governments become serious about taking real action that will actually have an impact. According to scientists, global temperatures will likely avoid reaching an irreversible threshold, if emissions can be permanently lowered by 2020.
