Often times when it comes to taking decisions about development and investments, decision makers are often motivated or driven by economic benefits with little consideration given to the environmental impacts. People are often faced with the challenges of living with the environmental consequences of these decisions which could take the form of; pollution, prolonged droughts, biodiversity loss, floods, landslides and climate change which is one of the most worrisome global environmental problem of the contemporary world.
The 5th Assessment Report of the IPCC (2014) projected an increase in GHG emissions and more warming of the globe. 2015 was a confirmation of this and recorded as the hottest year on record with the early months of 2016 following the same pattern. On the other hand, extreme weather events continue to adversely affect the planet with Tropical Cyclone Winston and Hurricane Patricia featured as the strongest storms ever recorded. These storms caused severe human and financial damage. The impacts of climate change are already being felt worldwide from severe flooding to desertification in different parts of the world with the poor and local communities always the most vulnerable because of inadequate resources to rapidly adapt and respond to the effects of climate change. Unfortunately, the impacts of climate change are not just environmental but also social such as forced displacement of population, migration, pressure on hosting communities, intense poverty and hunger, reduced productivity of agricultural systems, prevalence of pest and diseases and reduced precipitation and terrorism.
Despite these challenges, 2015 also presented itself as a time of great opportunities regarding the planet with world leaders adopting the Sustainable Development Goals and making one of the biggest commitments of all time by signing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Two of the world’s largest emitters China and America committed to one of the most rigorous deals concerning climate change and the world saw this as an innovative step towards resolving the issue of climate change especially reducing GHG emissions.
In 2017 however, we see an uncertainty regarding this agreement with the controversies around climate change being a myth and America pulling out of the deal under its current leadership. The question that floods the mind is; what is the future of this agreement or the environmental implications of this. One possible implication of this could be an increase in GHG emission since America is the second largest emitters in the world and the current leadership plans to develop or promote the coal industry[1]. America’s withdrawal from the deal has seen other the 200 signatories’ affirmation in taking this further. This is is a step in the right direction which should be embraced by all.
Nationally, governments should incorporate climate change mitigation and adaptation policies into the national agenda of the country and address issues related to governance where possible, which may hamper the implementation of necessary actions geared towards addressing climate change. More so, more awareness should be carried out on climate change with no limitations. Everybody should be brought on board with a clear strategy defined on fighting climate change.
Businesses should strive to embrace sustainability principles, standards and go for mitigation measures like green growth programs and clean/renewable energy sources. Most companies have already invested a lot in this and should continue in playing their part in reducing global emission.
At local level, local institutions should take actions to address issues of climate change. Government support to these local authorities to enable them executes their climate change programs.
Practical solutions include;
- Get involved in sustainable agricultural practices and avoid practices like slash and burn, bush fires.
- Avoid building houses in risk prone areas.
Individuals should make a conscious effort to reduce their foot prints on the environment through their different activities, way of life and global land use patterns.
Evolution to a safer and sustainable future is possible if we can keep global emission low while promoting economic development. Keeping emission low is a sign that we are on the right path. The importance of prioritizing environmental sustainability cannot be overemphasized because our environment is the place we call home and it’s our biggest legacy to the future generation. Hence, everybody in all places should embrace sustainable approaches to life because there are no barriers to environmental hazards.
[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/16/president-trump-putting-coal-country-back-work
Fideline Mboringong 