Climate change: only those who don't want to see it fail to notice

We have all heard about the numerous consequences of climate change - the rise in temperature, the melting of glaciers and consequently the rise in sea level, the extinction of various species of fauna and flora that can no longer survive in these weather conditions, droughts, floods, fires, among many other phenomena.

If a few years ago there was still room for climate change deniers to express themselves, currently there is no possibility to debate this subject. Our planet Earth is complaining and only those who don't want to see it fail to do so!

Three years ago, the young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, then 15 years old, started the “Fridays for Future” movement, a protest against politicians' inaction on the climate crisis, which globalized and culminated in a general school strike on March 15 in more than 100 countries. Since then, the whole world, especially the younger generations, has been more attentive to these issues.

We have all heard about the numerous consequences of climate change - the rise in temperature, the melting of glaciers and consequently the rise in sea level, the extinction of various species of fauna and flora that can no longer survive in these climatic conditions, droughts, floods, fires, among many other phenomena.

If a few years ago there was still room for climate change deniers to express themselves, currently there is no possibility to debate this subject. Our planet Earth is complaining and only those who don't want to see it fail to do so!

Three years ago, the young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, then 15 years old, started the “Fridays for Future” movement, a protest against politicians' inaction on the climate crisis, which globalized and culminated in a general school strike on March 15 in more than 100 countries. Since then, the whole world, especially the younger generations, has been more attentive to these issues.

Let's get to the facts!

If you still have that friend or family member who refuses to give importance to the consequences of global warming, you could present these facts and alert them to something real that is happening on our Planet:

•  Humanity uses 74% more natural resources than the planet's ecosystems can regenerate – that is, the equivalent of living on "1.7 Earth planets." Portugal has an ecological footprint of 2.75 planets.

• In 2021, Earth Overshoot Day happened on July 29. This means that we used up the available resources for the entire year in just 7 months.

• Only in the year 2021, the global carbon footprint increased by 6.6%.

• Throughout the history of planet Earth, over 450 million years, there have been five mass extinctions, caused by meteorites and volcanic eruptions. The sixth will be caused by the impact of humans on the ecosystem.

• Climate change caused by humanity will be responsible for 8% of current species extinction.

• Meteorological phenomena such as torrential rains, prolonged droughts, heat waves, and tornadoes will become increasingly frequent.

• By 2040 (just 19 years from now, yes you will still live to see this), 70% of the world's major glaciers will melt, causing further sea level rise and consequently floods and the disappearance of islands and coastal cities.

 It is urgent to change our lifestyle to a more sustainable one. We don't have much time left and many years have passed that we can no longer recover. However, we must do everything possible, on a personal and business/governmental level, to save what still exists!

Small actions like reducing electricity consumption, avoiding using the car and opting for public or shared transport, reducing meat consumption, or recycling are some examples of how we can contribute to a greener world.

Maria do Mar Sousa, 09/10/2021