Reality Check

Leaving the certainty of last year behind and heading into a new year always gives me pause for thought. Ever since I learnt in detail about global environmental issues, as part of an Open University degree completed in 2017, each passing year has clanged like a bell marking another year without proportionate action to deal with the multiple crises we face.

The 2024 Global Risk Report from the World Economic Forum states the top four risks over the next ten year period as:

Extreme weather events

2. Critical change to Earth systems

3. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse

4. Natural resource shortages

Scientists have made it abundantly clear that in order to avert climate catastrophe we must radically reduce the burning of fossil fuels.

That burning fossil fuels would lead to potentially catastrophic climate impacts was known by oil companies, such as ExxonMobil in the late 1970s and has been more widely warned about by climate scientists since the late 80s. Yet since we have known of the problem, more damage has been done to the climate – ie more CO₂ emissions have been released into the atmosphere – than in the rest of history. .

So the question we need to ask is:

Why have we not done what we know we needed to do?

Obviously there are many complex reasons, which are difficult to cover in a short article. However, money, wealth and power created by the extraction and exploitation of fossil fuels and the ways in which this is tied into our economic, ecological and social systems, plays a major role.

Misinformation has played a role in the delaying of climate action, particularly in the form of greenwashing by polluting industries. Technological solutions to reducing emissions, such as carbon capture and storage, have been pushed by those whose interests it serves to maintain the status quo, deflecting attention away more simple remedies such as decreasing energy demand. Excluding nature-based means such as reforestation, current levels of technology-based carbon dioxide removal only accounts for about one millionth of the carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuels.

Also a factor, is that many of the wealthiest countries and individuals, who are responsible for the vast majority of emissions, are not yet as severely affected by extreme weather events. Therefore, it can be easier to turn a blind eye to the issues.

Will the world be habitable in one generation’s time?

On our current trajectory, things are not looking good. The State of Climate 2024 report makes clear that:

‘The record-breaking rainfall and flooding, rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones, deadly heat, relentless drought and raging wildfires that we have seen in different parts of the world this year are unfortunately our new reality and a foretaste of our future’

1.5^oC warming is here now

Many impacts are occurring faster than expected

Warming is accelerating towards 3^oC+

(Collision Course Report, Breakthrough)

With every fraction of a degree rise the severity and frequency of dangerous heat waves, destructive storms and other disasters increases. At 3C, scientists say, the world could pass tipping points that would drastically change the planet’s climate, such as the collapse of polar ice caps leading to a huge rise in sea levels.

How can we reduce the impacts of the climate crisis?

Looking at the reality of climate breakdown can be frightening and overwhelming. Yet we need to look clearly at it to understand what it means for us and our children and to help to focus attention on what is important.

We have been distracted by money and lulled into the role of passive consumers, encouraged to rely on technological fixes to our problems, our senses dulled to the cost in human exploitation and nature destruction that underpins the majority of our systems of material wealth creation. Philosopher, Iain McGilchrist, contends that we are in the midst of a spiritual crisis. We need to move beyond a mechanistic view, recover our sense of the sacred and focus on our humanity and the fundamental human need – to love and be loved.

Love has always played a key role in human survival. We need other humans in order to live. Social cooperation and the building of relationships are crucial in accomplishing many essential tasks – reproduction, learning, sharing food and other resources, seeking safety and raising children.

We must reject divisive and anti-human narratives and come together to collaborate, for the love of life, to:

Reduce fossil fuels

Our lives have become very dependent on fossil fuels but we there are plenty of ways to reduce the amount we use. This is not a choice, but a necessity at this point in time.We are more dependent on having a hospitable planet to provide for our basic needs – food, water, shelter.

“The extraction and burning of fossil fuels undermine all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, including jeopardising public health, fuelling conflict, exacerbating social inequalities, and threatening biodiverse ecosystems worldwide,” From a letter signed by 77 Nobel Laureates & World Leaders, 2024

Restore ecosystems

Harm to ecosystems needs to stop in order to allow natural processes to work effectively to maintain conditions favourable to life and to take up excess carbon in the atmosphere. Worryingly, climate scientists say that additional technological climate interventions may now be required to keep warming below 2^oC above pre-industrial levels.

Create resilience

We can all act to create more resilience within our local communities; sourcing locally-produced/growing food; supporting local traders, craftspeople and community projects; wildlife friendly gardens; building bonds – walking or using public transport means that you meet more people! Local Futures is an organisation that focuses on ‘going local’ as a way to restore ecological, social and spiritual wellbeing and has a website full of helpful resources.

Jakki Phillips

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/global-risks-report-2024