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

We've all heard about the countless consequences of climate change - the increase in temperature, the melting of glaciers and consequently the rise in sea water levels, the extinction of various species of fauna and flora who 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 speak out, currently there is no possibility of debating this issue. Our planet Earth is complaining and only doesn't see those who don't want to!

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

We have all heard about the countless consequences of climate change - the increase in temperature, the melting of glaciers and consequently the rise in sea water levels, the extinction of various species of fauna and flora who 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 speak out, currently there is no possibility of debating this issue. Our planet Earth is complaining and only doesn't see those who don't want to!

Three years ago, the young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, then 15 years old, started the “Fridays for Future” movement, a protest against the inaction of politicians in relation to the climate crisis, which has globalized and culminated in a general school strike on March 15th in more than 100 countries. Since then, everyone, especially the younger generations, has become more aware of 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 can 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 planets Earth”. Portugal has an ecological footprint of 2.75 planets.

• In 2021, Earth Overshoot Day took place on July 29th. This means that we have exhausted the resources available for the entire year after 7 months.

• In 2021 alone, the global carbon footprint increased by 6.6%.

• Throughout the history of planet Earth, over 450 million years, five mass extinctions occurred, 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 extinctions.

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

• By 2040(just 19 years from now, yes you will still experience this), 70% of the large glaciers across the planet will melt, causing further rise in sea levels and consequently floods and 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, at a personal and business/governmental level, to save what still exists!

Small actions such as 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, 10/09/2021