Climate Action, Now!: SDG Goal #13

Introduction

Do you believe in climate change? Let me tell you why you should. Climate change represents both human induced global warming and natural weather changing patterns. Every year, the global average temperature continues to rise, while our oceans have warmed, our snow falls have diminished and our sea levels have risen. Moreover, the global emissions of carbon dioxide have increased by over 50% since 1990, and will only continue to increase further. Looking at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13, climate change impacts us all and it is time for real change. 

The figure below illustrates the global mean temperature difference from 1850 to 2025: 

Source: “Climate Change Indicators and Impacts Worsened in 2020.” World Meteorological Organization, Met Office, 20 Apr. 2021.

Why Care About Climate Change?

In the last 10 years: 

• Rising temperatures have led to terrible weather conditions (droughts, heat waves, storms…)
• Melting glaciers and warm oceans are destroying lands and harming animals 
• Wildfire seasons are more frequent and prolonged 
• Water supplies are declining, reducing agricultural yields 
• Etc…

It is a huge misconception that we are threatened by climate change due to the warmth of the Earth. Instead, it is the rate at which the warmth is occurring that is the concern. Us humans can easily adapt to changes in climate if they are occurring over long periods of time, but other living things cannot adapt nearly as easily. If you care about your health and the health of your loved ones, you should care about climate change. This phenomenon can lead to adverse health conditions in many different ways. From worsened air quality, to increased diseases and decreased access to clean water or healthy food, the threats are all around us.  

Taking a look at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #13, they have expressed the following:

“Climate change is affecting every country in the world. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives and livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable. If left unchecked, climate change will cause average global temperatures to increase beyond 3°C, and will adversely affect every ecosystem. We have an opportunity to take actions that will lead to more jobs, great prosperity, and better lives for all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience“

The figure below illustrates the challenges and solutions associated with climate action: 

Source: “Goal 13: Climate Action | UNEP - Un ...” GOAL 13: Climate Action, UN Environment Programme

Plan of Action

Knowing now that climate change poses a real threat, is it too late to act?  We all have to work collectively to increase our environmental efforts. As a whole, the world must transform its energy, transportation and agricultural systems to ensure that we limit the rise of our global temperature, in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Lowering our carbon emissions is the first huge step we can all take together. Smaller but equally meaningful steps include: saving energy at home, eating more organic foods, using eco-friendly products and enforcing a reduce, reuse, repair and recycle philosophy. 

For me and my brand, climate change fuels the fight for a clean energy transition. If more careers aimed to protect our planet,  we could all work collectively to make change.

To learn more about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, please visit their website.