The world is facing rainstorms, wildfires, and other weather extremities but there is always hope that we can help.
In recent times, we’ve noticed a gradual rise in global temperatures, which cannot be ignored. On Monday the 3rd of July, the world experienced a significant milestone when the average global temperature reached 17 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in 2016. This highlights the important fact that we need to address climate change now.
Across Europe, we’ve witnessed a huge heatwave over the past month, with some areas reaching temperatures as high as 44 degrees Celsius. Extreme heat can be dangerous. For example, the heat can be a risk to vulnerable groups like the elderly and young children, leading to dehydration and heat-related illnesses. Additionally, wildfires are a great threat to wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Some regions, such as the Greek islands, and Australia not long ago have faced unfortunate wildfires causing distress to communities, loss of homes, income and even family.
During hot weather it is important to always stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing and stay in the shade and for those who smoke be mindful to be putting the buds out correctly using the correct disposing bin trays or ash trays available. High temperatures can be dangerous to everyone so if you are in a place experiencing this, make sure to stay safe and follow the instructions of the related local authorities.
In the UK, we have experienced rainstorms lasting days at a time causing disruptions in daily activities but also causing floods again resulting to people losing their homes, livelihoods, and impacting mental health too.
It is essential to recognize that these occurrences are not new, in fact they are part of a larger pattern of climate change affecting the planet. For instance, last year, China faced a significant drought, affecting one of its major rivers due to rising temperatures.
Climate change is impacting the world, including the UK, despite what some may believe, the evidence and science are clear.
How does this happen?
Our climate naturally changes, we are not denying this. The world history clearly shows this, as change has occurred in the past, but these were due to several natural reasons which happened over a sustained and prolonged period of time. Some of the influencing factors for these included the amount of volcanic activity, changes in ocean circulation, the types of vegetation, and complicated processes like weathering of rocks and of course naturally produced greenhouse gasses which include carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) which have always naturally occurred.
However, with human evolution, greenhouse gases have been increasing dramatically with activities such as burning vast amounts fossil fuels, cutting down rainforests and polluting natural environments and the ocean impacting the natural carbon sinks.
The greenhouse gasses we are producing daily build up, heating our planet faster and forcing the earths temperatures to rise every year, and the cycle to move faster. The MET office explains this further on their website.
It is important to remember though, that we can make a positive impact and every little action we take as individuals can and does make a difference. Of course large organisations and business including government must play their part to have a bigger impact but by addressing the root cause of climate change, such as reducing carbon emissions and embracing sustainable practices, we can take meaningful steps toward a more resilient future.
What can you do?
There are several low-cost actions that we can adopt to drive positive environmental change and safeguard our planet. Simply adjusting our approach to daily tasks can significantly decrease our carbon footprint while also benefiting our wallets.
For example, choosing to air-dry your clothes instead of relying on a tumble dryer not only reduces energy consumption but also leaves your clothes smelling fresh, all the while saving you money.
Another effective strategy involves boiling only the necessary amount of water for your cuppa. Overfilling the kettle leads to energy wastage. By adding just the required water, you optimize energy usage, leading to quicker heating times and reduced costs.
We have a few more tips on our previous articles ‘Save Energy Without Spending A Penny.’ and ‘Making Your Money Go That Little Bit Further.’ Keep updated with our website articles and Facebook page for inspiration to be more climate friendly.
Taking action now can lead us toward a safer and healthier future for generations to come, preserving the beauty of our planet and making it safe for all of us who call it home.
