The world is heating up, weather patterns are shifting, and the consequences are becoming apparent. Climate change and the associated global warming is an ongoing issue on the planet that is rooted in human greed. The rationale for this stance is the observation that humans commit the worst of climate-altering activities to protect and preserve self-interests, such as increasing profit margins among large corporations with the highest adverse environmental effects. Such actions demonstrate poor outcomes for the planet, such as greenhouse effects from high carbon emissions leading to global warming (Abbass et al., 2022). Although governments amplified these effects initially in pursuit of growing their economy, they now have realized that they must undo these effects and implement plans to mitigate them and prevent any further damage. Therefore, this essay will identify and explain three interventions that governments are using to fight climate change. These interventions include funding initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and resorting to renewable energy sources, encouraging citizens to buy things that can contribute to climate change mindfully, and forming international collaborations to combat climate change altogether.
Climate Change Defined
Climate change refers to the long-lasting shifts in weather patterns that have negative consequences for the population of species that exist within an ecosystem (Abbass et al., 2022). The effects of climate change are that it reduces the sustainability of various production sectors worldwide, leading to threats of worsening conditions (Abbass et al., 2022). The sector that has taken the hardest hit due to climate change is the agricultural sector, following land pollution and irreversible weather fluctuations that have reduced agricultural produce and rendered agriculture insufficient to produce and maintain food supplies for populations (Abbass et al., 2022). These effects of climate change prompt action by national and international bodies. These joint international efforts aim to remedy the situation using measures that prevent further planetary destruction or slow down the process to allow other factions, such as scientists, to identify survivable planets for a mass exodus of humans into space.
Interventions to Address Climate Change
Firstly, governments are funding initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The federal government of Canada has invested in two big plans through budgetary funding worth millions of dollars to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and ensure preparedness for the effects of climate change (Jones, 2023). Canada has demonstrated resilience in addressing the climate change concern as one of the world’s highest per capita carbon emitters. One of the Canadian government’s plans to address the problem of climate change is Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, which helps to improve the country’s adaptability to climate impacts such as extreme weather (Jones, 2023). The other measure is the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, which seeks to reduce the country’s carbon emissions to 40% and 45% below the country’s emission levels in 2005 (Jones, 2023). The country can reduce carbon emissions by using carbon pricing to encourage companies to use less fossil fuels (Jones, 2023). While these measures are considered effective in addressing the climate change concerns in the country, a problem arises regarding their rate of implementation, which experts consider too slow to actualize effects promptly.
Secondly, governments are encouraging mindful consumer choices to mitigate climate change. Climate change and sustainability experts have disproved the myth that individual efforts do not amount to much regarding attempts to reduce overall net carbon emissions globally. The climate change and sustainability experts denote that consumer choices affect climate change. Choosing to be a green consumer could help reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the experts in the field demonstrate that green consumption is not enough (CBC Radio, 2021). Instead, humans must reduce their consumption significantly to effectively contribute substantial positive change to climate change actions, such as forcing fuel companies to sell renewable energy sources informed by the market demands (CBC Radio, 2021). Buying an iPhone phone provides the effects of individual efforts in reducing net carbon emissions worldwide. The production of an iPhone phone contributes 84% of total carbon emissions, and its lifetime use contributes another 12% of overall emissions (CBC Radio, 2021). Therefore, making a conscious decision to be a minimalist green consumer could help save the planet from unlivable conditions or the extinction of human beings.
Lastly, governments have recognized the need for joint efforts to address the climate change conundrum and consequently formed international collaborations to combat climate change. A highly renowned institution that has driven international climate change efforts is the United Nations. Other institutions, such as the European Union, have been instrumental in helping international efforts in combating climate change. These international bodies have developed laws such as the Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol, which mandate nations to reduce their GHG emissions with the hopes of saving the planet. Recent amendments to the Paris Agreement aim for a 55% decrease in carbon emissions relative to 1990 instead of the initial 40% cut (Weber, 2020). These international policies prove effective in addressing climate change effects, such as the ability of the Kyoto Protocol to pave the way for a new climate management order, one that sets global targets of climate action best practices (Mor et al., 2023). However, such policies’ effectiveness is limited by the communication and compliance of respective parties through stipulated signatories and the transparency of the involved nations in reporting their accurate emission status and interventions (Mor et al., 2023). Despite these limitations, international joint efforts are among the last resort interventions in addressing climate change globally.
References
Abbas, K., Qasim, Z. M., Song, H., Murshed, M., Mahmood, & Younis, I. (2022). A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 42539–42559. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6
CBC Radio (2021, November 14). Government policy can limit climate change – but so can changing your shopping habits, say experts. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/can-we-shop-our-way-out-of-the-climate-crisis-1.6247473/government-policy-can-limit-climate-change-but-so-can-changing-your-shopping-habits-say-experts-1.6248260
Jones, M. A. (2023, January 14). ‘We’re still on the bunny slopes’: As 2023 kicks off, is Canada’s climate change plan aggressive enough? CTV News. https://www.ctvnews.ca/climate-and-environment/we-re-still-on-the-bunny-slopes-as-2023-kicks-off-is-canada-s-climate-change-plan-aggressive-enough-1.6229253
Mor, S., Aneja, R., Madan, S., & Ghimire, M. (2023). Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement: Transition from bindings to pledges – A review. Millennial Asia. https://doi.org/10.1177/09763996221141546
Weber, B. (2020, December 11). Tipping point? Experts say the Paris Agreement changed the climate on climate. CBC. https://www.ca/news/science/paris-5-year-anniversary-1.5837265
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