A list of realistic climate change solutions

The main factors that influence climate change:

 

  • How we source materials (mining/farming/artificially) can destroy habitats and increase emissions. 
  • How we manufacture goods (industrial processes) can increase greenhouse gas emissions 
  • How we transport goods (CO2-intensive international trips)
  • Our mass consumption (electricity/food/material possessions)
  • The success of a Circular Economy (a system based on the re-cycling of goods to reduce waste) 


Now we know the factors, let's move on to the effects: 

It can be hard to visualise the impacts these factors have on Earth, which is why I think the 9 Planetary Boundaries (2023) is a very useful tool: 





Extra information to support the graph:

  • Ocean acidification: 1/4 of  C02 emitted dissolves in the ocean, here it forms carbonic acid, altering ocean chemistry making it more acidic. Beyond a threshold concentration, this rising acidity makes it hard for organisms such as corals and some shellfish and plankton species to grow and survive.
  • Novel entities (nuclear waste and plastics) refers to chemical pollution. 
  • Aerosols: masks the effect of global warming by 40%, not seeing true effects and reduces life expectancy. 
  • Ozone layer: Fortunately, because of the actions taken as a result of the Montreal Protocol, we appear to be on the path that will allow us to stay within this boundary.
  • Nitrogen and phosphorus flows to the biosphere and oceans: leads to eutrophication.

Midjourney


What are the top 7 Solutions?


Renewable energy (or smarter decisions) 


Reach a Circular Economy 


Restore and Protect Biodiversity 


Policy Changes, for example:

  • Reduction of emissions 
  • Requirements of sustainable practices 
  • Quality standard of products (e.g. electric) regulating supply chain (Germany's Due Diligence Act) 
  • Transparency of supply chain 

Vegetarian / Vegan Diets. 


Conscious Consumer (being aware of our own behaviour). 


Public Transport Accessibility & Infrastructure. 



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