UN Climate Change Conference 2024 (COP29) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22. Representatives from 198 countries participated, focusing on controlling global warming and developing environmental action plans.
This document highlights the critical environmental challenges facing our planet. Despite humans existing for only 300,000 years of Earth’s 454-million-year history, human activities have significantly disrupted natural ecosystems. Deforestation remains a major concern, with approximately 10 million hectares of forest destroyed annually. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Tanzania lead in forest loss, directly contributing to increased global temperatures.
Fossil fuel consumption is another critical environmental threat. While fossil fuel formation took billions of years, humans have rapidly depleted these resources in just two and a half centuries, releasing harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Global warming’s impacts are severe and multifaceted. NASA research shows Antarctic ice melting at 150 billion tons and Greenland ice at 270 billion tons annually, Sea levels have risen 21-24 centimetres since 1880, Extreme weather events like unseasonal rains, floods, and cyclones are increasing, Agricultural and livestock production is being disrupted, Disease spread is accelerating.
International efforts to address climate change includes, 1992 Rio de Janeiro Environmental Conference, 1997 Kyoto Protocol, 2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals, 2016 Paris Agreement (pledging to limit warming below 2℃), 2023 COP28 “Transition away from Fossil Fuel” announcement.
Individual citizens can contribute through, using public transportation, switching to LED bulbs, choosing energy-efficient appliances, adopting electric vehicles, reducing plastic usage, minimizing food waste, conserving water and energy.
Currently, 87.4% of global energy resources are fossil fuel-based, with only 12.6% from renewable sources. Increasing public awareness and individual action are crucial in combating climate change.
Creating awareness within families and communities about climate change, supporting renewable energy initiatives, and making conscious consumption choices are powerful ways to contribute. Small, consistent actions collectively can significantly reduce carbon footprint and support global efforts to mitigate environmental degradation.
This piece of writing emphasizes the “Think Globally, Act Locally” principle, stressing that every citizen’s contribution is valuable in addressing environmental challenges.
