Globally, climate change is a significant problem that requires much attention to reduce it to a level not much harmful. The ever-increasing temperature throughout the world is mostly caused by the human activities like burning of fossils thus emitting greenhouse gases to the atmosphere (Chakraborty 23). Even the standard daily operations, for example, deforestation and agriculture which is mainly carried by the majority of the individuals dwelling in the rural setups significantly contribute to the production of greenhouse gases resulting to climate change. The scientists have predicted a severe threat to the future sustainable development if this climate change issue is not well addressed now. Typical effects include but not limited to; natural disasters, increase in water scarcity, species extinctions and inundated zones of the coastal parts. The situation might be worse due to several industries and constructions increasingly initiated all over the world. This rate of global warming has attracted the attention of different environmental bodies and organizations around the globe. They are striving to look for ways of reducing this climate change to contain the threats it poses to human life. Different measures are being employed by various countries especially the emitting nations to bring the vulnerability to a lower level. Both the developed and developing countries have come out together with an effort of mitigating this challenge for them to realize future global security, prosperity, and health.
In the year 2017, a global initiative with the aim of bringing in place a new urgency to climate negotiation in order to fasten the reduction of global greenhouse gas mission was commissioned. A former UN climate chief launched the initiative (Mission 2020). It is expected that by 2020 this goal will have been achieved. The initiative has been positively received by more than sixty signatories and several Non-Governmental Organizations together with the business leaders and religious leaders. Though the emissions of the carbon dioxide gas have so far reduced due to the reduction in coal use in both China and the United States, still more effort is much needed to lower it to nearly zero level significantly. The drivers of the mission are focusing on the extension of the renewable energy. They propose that by the year 2020 generation of renewable energy should be at least thirty percent. According to this plan, there will be no more plants that are coal-driven from that year onwards (Chakraborty 32). Those that are now already in place should begin the process of using safe energy. Cities and states need to be funded in order to ensure that the buildings are decarbonized with the aim of lowering the emission rates. This was projected to be achieved before 2050.
Restoration of the changing and even damaged ecosystems is one of the current methods to check the impact of global warming (Qiao et al. 45). One way of enhancing this is by draining the swampy areas that which are long known to be dangerous to both human and animal lives. Some of these swamps cover large areas though they are smelly and of little use. These wetlands have been discovered to contain large quantities of carbon which is the primary source of global warming. Latest concerns on draining and converting them to suitable agricultural lands and for other purposes is a significant step achievement. The West African Mangrove Initiative is one of the best examples in restoring such ecosystems. The aim is to revert the already lost forest that is known for protecting the hinterland from extreme weather, for example, strong storms and hurricanes as well. It also assists in restoring the wildlife management in the affected areas. Land reclamation together with improved land practices that have been adopted in many places across continents has been an active way of addressing this menace. It has also led to increased number of fish, protection of the coastal areas apart from regulating the climate level (Qiao et al. 49).
Forest restoration is another vital process that has been undertaken worldwide. Over the past few years, the rate of deforestation was increasing at an alarming rate (Kuttler 38). People were mercilessly destroying forests for their short-term benefits for example charcoal burning and for creating space to expand the agricultural land. However, reforestation is currently underway as more people have been educated on the value of the trees and the severe adverse effects brought about by destroying them. Governments are donating native seedlings to their citizens as this will ensure the recreation of the ecosystem that was lost a long time ago. Planting of exotic trees is also being stressed as these trees will be a source timber while at the same time extending the area of land under trees. Forests ensure that wild animals are protected, and these animals are the primary agents of seed dispersal which is useful in enhancing reforestation (Kuttler 42). So for bio-diversity restoration, wild animals need to be well protected by making sure that their habitat in-conducive to them. As of now, several governments have enacted laws against logging which have contributed much to deforestation.
The United Nations Environment currently is offering support to the countries to tackle the changing climate conditions and solving the greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the ways it has taken are for example improving the level of understanding at the same time sharing knowledge on scientific and best strategies, integrating the plans on climate change to the sectorial and national agendas as well as funding projects that are aimed at providing solutions to this. An example is the Asian Pacific Adaptations Network which inspires the government stakeholders and the private sectors with the crucial knowledge on the designing the measures to adopt climate changes. With the support from Global Adaptation Network, APAN can extend its management to several countries hit by these climate threats. It has focused on conducting training through conferences and workshops in order to extend its mission to reach different nations.
United Nations Environmental Program in collaboration with the other United Nation agencies did have embraced a Global Climate Change Adaptation Network (GCCAN) for its focus on assisting the developing countries in fighting the global warming. The agency aims at disseminating knowledge and also technology to be used by these countries as weapons for fighting this climate change. United Nations Development Program is as well helping these nations to adopt the proposed measures aimed to integrate these threats to national programs and developments. By working with the local governments, these international organizations will excel in delivering their mandate to reach all the stakeholders and as well as civil societies. The increased awareness of the climate change and its severe consequences for example increased number of deaths will hasten these adaptation proposals by the GCCAN.
Today, international organizations are putting a lot of stress on the adoption of modern technologies aimed at achieving this goal of emission reduction. Research institutions are being funded both by the governments and these international bodies in order to boost them in looking for practical innovations to solve the issue. Currently, nuclear power has been seen as the best alternative to carbon emissions. General Fusion, a Canadian company, is the first to adopt a fusion-nuclear plant which does not contain any trace of greenhouse gas. Soon this technology will spread globally since it has been approved as the safest technology in fighting global warming apart from occupying less amount of space.
Transport sector which contributes about twenty-three percent of carbon dioxide emissions globally has not been left behind. There are current innovations underway aimed at decreasing this. So far there are vehicles powered by electricity that is being tested to replace the current ones using petrol and diesel. On top of this, solar-powered vehicles are also in the testing process. Once these technological advancements are in place, it will be a great mile achievement as far as climate change mitigation is a concern. Technological experts are working on ensuring that they develop batteries which are more efficient and long-lasting (Rabbani et al. 538). This will increase the capability of the electric cars to travel the same distance as the diesel and petrol cars.
It has been discovered that meat consumption also contributes a significant percentage of the global emissions. But there are current tastes carried out to begin producing lab-grown meat to replace it. So far the companies together with several investors have already kick-started this production. They do so by ensuring that the look and the taste of this lab meat meet the taste and the look of the normal one. Already plant-based meat out of protein-rich vegetables like peas has been produced and tasted fit for human consumption (Traylor-Knowles and Connelly 258). Marketing this product worldwide will help in minimizing the rate of global warming.
Manufacturing companies are almost the largest emitters of carbon dioxide. As the urban centers expand due to more industries being started, gas emissions increase too appropriately. About thirty percent of the greenhouse gas emissions come from these industries. The need for renewable energy is what many countries are striving for now. Already there is a Canadian company which has been started with the objective of tapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and utilizing it in fuel production. This carbon engineering company helps in removing a significant amount of carbon dioxide in the air at a faster rate as compared to trees. The company has started expanding its technology to other countries like Britain. Apart from that, the majority of buildings and households are currently using solar, electricity or gas for cooking and lighting (Goldman 75). With the support of the government and Global Environment organizations, the use of paraffin has diminished significantly especially in urban centers. The World Environmental Day is also playing a significant role in conveying the universal message on ways of adapting and mitigating climate change.
Climate change is undoubtedly a significant challenge affecting nearly all the countries today (Goldman 89). This issues had not been taken seriously before by the many nations such as China. But now they have joined the rest of the world in looking for a solution to this problem which if not taken seriously will result in mass destruction around the globe. Many developed countries are helping the developing nations to tackle the issue. Through international organizations, the financially assist these nations on plans and policies deemed beneficial in fighting the global warming (Rabbani et al. 540). Local governments are also struggling very hard to ensure the success of these goals. With the current trend worldwide, climate change will be reduced much lowered in less than a decade to come.
Works Cited
Chakraborty, Debapriya. Essays in Transportation and Environmental Economics. 2017.
Goldman, Charles R. Climate Change and Inland Waters: Impacts and Mitigation for Ecosystems and Societies. Wiley et Sons, 2013.
Kuttler, Wilhelm. "Climate Change on the Urban Scale – Effects and Counter-Measures in Central Europe." Human and Social Dimensions of Climate Change, 2012.
Qiao, Fengxiang, et al. "Mitigation Measures and Recommendations in the USA to Reduce Environmental Impacts of Transportation Infrastructure on Wildlife." Environment Pollution and Climate Change, vol. 01, no. 03, 2017.
Rabbani, Golam, et al. "Climate Change Implications for Dhaka City: A Need for Immediate Measures to Reduce Vulnerability." Resilient Cities, 2011, pp. 531-541.
Traylor-Knowles, Nikki, and Michael T. Connelly. "What Is Currently Known About the Effects of Climate Change on the Coral Immune Response." Current Climate Change Reports, vol. 3, no. 4, 2017, pp. 252-260.
