Forbes - James Ellsmoor
Did the world wake up to climate
change in 2018? Or are we falling deeper into ignorance about the
environmental changes happening all around us?
The increasingly severe effects of the rise in global
temperature are being felt everywhere on the planet through extreme
weather events and natural disasters, serving as a wake-up call to the
impacts of climate change...
for those who are willing to listen.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that we are poised on the cusp of
worldwide disaster, and the global community is becoming increasingly
aware of the impending crisis. Many are demanding action; the world’s
nations and innovators are exploring
new technologies for sustainable energy production to prevent a global catastrophe.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a body dedicated to providing an objective view on climate change, 2018 is a
tipping point for the global environment. In 2018, we needed a pivotal year for climate action.
Here are 6 significant climate change themes that emerged during the year.
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| A fisherman is struggling to control his boat in the midst of the storm in the Sunderbans, Bangladesh. Getty |
1. The Environment: Extreme Weather Events
Weather events and environmental disasters are determined by a
variety of complex factors, both natural and man-made. It is impossible
to attribute any single weather phenomenon directly to climate change.
Science makes it possible to ascertain how much climate change
influences weather events, however.
Scientific analysis
reveals that the rise in global temperature is more than a minor
component of natural disasters and extreme weather events. In many
cases, it serves as an essential factor.
Nearly every region on the planet experienced
extreme weather and natural disasters in 2018.
The hurricanes of
Florence and
Michael caused massive destruction in the southeast U.S. during the Atlantic storm season. In the Pacific, Super Typhoons
Mangkhut and
Yutu rocked the Philippines, Guam, South China and the Mariana Islands.
Argentina and Uruguay
experienced severe drought. The U.S. state of California experienced
the deadliest and most destructive wildfires on record and Europe has
seen
extremes in both cold and heat this year.
Heavy rainfall contributed to
flooding and landslides in Africa, India, Japan, Korea and the Caribbean islands of
Grenada and
Trinidad
in 2018. Millions of people were displaced and there has been
widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. Flood conditions
have exacerbated outbreaks of
cholera in East Africa and leptospirosis (“
rat fever”) in India.
In mid-December, the
Centre of Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters
reported that approximately 5,000 people have died and 28.9 million
needed emergency assistance worldwide because of extreme weather.
Research indicates that economic losses from climate-related disasters
have
increased 151% in the past 20 years, a trend that is only expected to worsen.
2. The Science: Unequivocal Evidence
More scientists than ever are turning attention to studying the impacts of climate change.
This year saw new studies that have broadened our understanding
of the consequences of the rise in global temperature. In October, the
UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a
landmark report
revealing that global temperatures are moving towards a catastrophic 3°
C rise during this century. The study encourages rapid and
unprecedented changes to reduce global temperature increase to at least
1.5° C.
Also released in October, in advance of the
COP24
United Nations Climate Change Conference, the United Nations
Environmental Emissions Gap Report made it clear that current Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs) are inadequate to bridge the emissions
gap by the target date of 2030. The report asserts that urgent action is
required to avert the catastrophic consequences of an undeterred rise
in global temperatures.
International NASA-led studies have been studying Arctic ice
loss and its impact on glacial activity, sea level and drifts in rhe
Earth's spin axis. The results of these studies make it clear that the
planet-wide effects of climate change are profound.
Research has also demonstrated that the planet is in the midst
of an extinction crisis. Earth is currently experiencing the most
significant species die-off since the event that caused the extinction
of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Whereas previous extinction
events were caused by such things as asteroid strikes and natural shifts
in environmental conditions, the current event is being driven by human
activities.
With the growing urgency behind the science, international activists
mobilized in London
to draw attention to this ecological and environmental emergency.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) protestors called upon the government, private
corporations and the media to recognize the dire effects of climate
change on the planet’s species.
3. Politics & Society: Action And Inaction
The Extinction Rebellion was only one movement of many this
year that sought to protest a lack of climate action. Groups such as
The People’s Climate Movement,
Rise for Climate and
Strike 4 Climate Action mobilized to demand an appropriate response to the crisis facing our planet.
Another notable event was the March for Climate, which took
place during COP24, the biggest climate change meeting since the Paris
Agreement of 2015. In spite of the fact that the march occurred as part
of an international climate change conference, peaceful protestors were greeted with an oppressive Polish
law enforcement presence.
The IPCC and UN emissions gap reports, combined with COP24,
left the subject of the rise in global temperature at the forefront of
international dialogue.
Scientific evidence has made the impact and impending
consequences of climate change clear. Widespread international
commitment to taking decisive action in the face of this crisis has
remained sluggish, however. The host country of COP24, Poland, sent
mixed messages by
putting coal at the center of the conference.
One of the world’s leading emitters, the U.S., has positioned itself to
withdraw from the Paris Agreement at the earliest possible opportunity.
Citing the example being set by the Trump administration in the U.S.,
other nations are declining to cooperate with the international community in climate change efforts. Brazil, the initial intended host country of COP25,
has withdrawn from that commitment. Meanwhile, Kuwait, Russia, Saudi Arabia joined the U.S. in
refusing to welcome the landmark IPCC study into the COP24 negotiations.
Incoming members of the U.S. Congress are rejecting the stance
of the current presidential administration, however. Proponents of green
technologies and sustainability initiatives are championing a
Green New Deal,
a plan to modernize infrastructure and invest heavily in clean and
renewable energy production. While described as a “radical” plan by
those with ties to the fossil fuel industry, “extreme” measures are
called for by the U.S. to avert global disaster.
4. Technology & Innovation: Trends To Watch In 2019
Where there has been foot-dragging on the political front,
innovators and private companies are responding to the call for the
development and implementation of new technologies. Progress
is being made with energy storage and microgrid systems that utilize
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet Of Things (IoT) and blockchain to
improve efficiency and financing opportunities.
In many developing countries, renewable energy provides an
opportunity to improve quality of life and adapt to the impacts of
climate change. Small-scale solar home systems provide an affordable
option in countries with low access to electricity. With the price of
renewable energy continuing to fall, the economic benefits of renewable
energy are clear from Botswana to Boston.
These technological innovations are some of the
most important things to watch in 2019.
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| Okavango delta, Botswana: Despite being a multi-billion tourist business, the locals living on the Okavango delta have not benefited much from all the money that has been poured. Still, a lot of people live in the traditional huts with no access to electricity. Getty |
5. Taking Action: Developing & Implementing Solutions
On the front lines of feeling the effects of climate change, it
is no surprise that small island developing states (SIDS) in the
Caribbean have taken a position of leadership in implementing new energy
and sustainability initiatives. Aiming to become the world’s first
climate-smart zone, 26 countries and more than 40 private sector
partners have created a coalition to fast track climate action in the
Caribbean region.
Strategic partnerships and committed funding for climate-smart
investments are being dedicated to reducing emissions and
climate-related hazards while supporting healthy ecosystems and securing
renewable energy production. This climate-smart zone will reduce
vulnerability to the effects of climate change while also building
economic security for its citizens.
Around the world, others are also turning their minds and hands
towards developing solutions for the challenges presented by climate
change.
The Nobel Economic Sciences Prize Committee demonstrated the
multi-disciplinary importance of the subject with its 2018 award. The
prize this year went to economists
William Nordhaus and Paul Romer, who adapted the western economic growth model to focus on environmental issues.
This recognition of the urgent problem of climate change and the need
for multi-disciplinary approaches to addressing it is significant.
Other climate action leaders have been recognized this year for efforts to reduce emissions and promote sustainability in
everything from school cafeterias to football clubs.
Where action may be slow on the part of governments and international
groups, it is clear that individuals, academics and private companies
are stepping up to provide real-world solutions to address the challenge
of climate change.
6. Increasing Public Education & Awareness
Awareness and education about climate change matters increased
this year. Journalists and public figures used entertainment media and
the internet to draw attention to the problem of climate change and the
need to pursue sustainable measures in all areas of society.
British writer, naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough
brought attention to the global problem of plastics pollution through
his involvement in the BBC’s Blue Planet series. Attenborough also took a
critical role in COP24’s People’s Seat initiative, delivering a moving
speech that defined climate change "
our greatest threat in thousands of years."
In the face of what has largely been a climate change media blackout in the in U.S., more than 100 meteorologists
wore matching ties
during their summer solstice broadcasts to demonstrate awareness and
solidarity. In Zambia, comic artist Mwelwa Musonko created and launched
a new comic series to raise awareness about climate change.
In an attempt to wake up those most resistant, scientists reported this year that climate change stands to produce a
worldwide beer shortage.
As beer is made with barley, a particularly climate-sensitive crop, the
continued rise in global temperature will eventually make the beverage
rare and expensive. If extreme weather events, mass extinctions and the
wobbling of the Earth itself aren’t compelling enough on their own,
perhaps a threat to the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage will
inspire more people to take action.
2019: Looking Ahead
The solid scientific evidence, new innovations and growing
awareness that emerged in 2018 should give some promising signs for the
coming year. Sustainable technologies are no longer simply an acceptable
form of energy production, they are quickly becoming the preferred
method for energy generation.
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