The Time is NOW..........

Climate Change

Climate change refers to long & short-term transitions and shifts in our global and regional climate patterns. There is not a single region on our planet at the moment that is not impacted by climate change. Knowing that we only have One Planet, we need to act now, all together and fast, making sure that our children can still enjoy our planet the way we enjoy, or have enjoyed it.

Climate change has always been a part of our planet's existence, but in the last century climate change has been caused, or even provoked, primarily by human activities.

If we are talking about climate change nowadays, we are talking about Global Warming, which is driven by the enhanced greenhouse effect. These greenhouse effect is caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and other gases in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping back into space, leading to the global warming effect on our planet.

The primary contributors of this increasing climate change are all caused by a huge amount of many combined human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes. Deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices also contribute to the still increasing emission of greenhouse gases. As a result, the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere has been increasing significantly since the Industrial Revolution.

The consequences of climate change are widely ranged and affect various aspects of the Earth's Eco-systems. some of those key impacts include:

• Rising temperatures: Global temperatures have been been steadily increasing over the past century, resulting in warmer average temperatures and more frequent heatwaves. This phenomenon is leading to the melting of glaciers and polar ice which therefore causes rising sea levels, resulting in the loss of habitats for many global species. Over the past 40 Years the ice level in the arctic has nearly shrunk by 40%, causing the sea level to rise an average of nearly 4mm per year, and keeping to increase. Over the past 20 years global sea-levels have risen an average of 10cm.

• Extreme weather events: Climate change and global warming intensifies extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires. These events are causing significant fast increasing damage to our global ecosystems, infrastructure, and human lives. In the last 50 year-period (1970 - 2020), compared to the past 2000 years, rising temperatures, causing these extreme weather events, have increased 2-3 times faster then in any other prior 50Year Period. At the moment, if we don't make drastically changes, the 21 century is heading to a 2-3 degree temperature increase, compared to a 1 degree increase in the 20. century, and our 1.5 degree goal until 2050 is far from being achievable, if we don't implement according changes, now!!

• Changes in precipitation patterns: Climate change alters rainfall patterns, a warmer atmosphere affects the water cycle because warmer air can hold more water-vapor which in combination with warmer Oceans is leading to more intense precipitations and these increasing extreme weather patterns, with heavy rainfall in some regions and droughts in others. This again affects the general global water availability, for agriculture, and the overall negative balance of our ecosystems.

• Ocean acidification: Increased CO2 emissions are absorbed by the oceans, increasing the pH value of our oceans and leading to ocean acidification. This has harmful effects on marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as coral reefs and shellfish. and with these decreasing organism, that are a part of the overall marine life food chain, is therefore threatened by an impactful instability, which then goes up the food chain and outbalances and endangers the complete Marine wildlife ecosystem.

• Biodiversity loss: Additionally to all these direct and indirect influences and leverages on climate change, there is one pattern we haven't mentioned yet, but one that's definitely also extremely impactful. Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to any possible organism (living being) on our planet, from Plants, Bacterias, Animals and human beings. Many species will struggle to adapt to all these rapidly changing conditions or face habitat loss. The loss of Bio diversity disrupts our ecosystems and has cascading effects on almost all existing species and ecosystem services and will therefore have a huge impact to us humans as well.

Resolving Climate Change

Resolving climate change, in other words reducing our societies negative impact on climate change, requires immediate and global effort and action plans with a mutual and global goal reducing global warming, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to cleaner and renewable sources of energy, increasing energy efficiency, and increasing Biodiversity . The International Paris agreement, signed on the 12th of December 2015, by 196 global nations, taking part at this UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) were initiated with the aim to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030-2045.

It is crucial for governments, businesses, and especially individuals to adopt sustainable practices, promote renewable energy, protect and restore ecosystems, and support climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change and secure a sustainable future for all generations to come

Key Actions

There are several actions that can and should be taken to address climate change and reduce its impacts. Here are some key actions at different levels:

• International Cooperation: Collaboration between nations is absolutely essential to successfully tackle climate change effectively. International agreements like the Paris Agreement provide a framework for all countries to work together and set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. and annihilate all the consequences and impacts of the global climate change

• Transition to Renewable Energy: Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Governments, businesses, and individuals can support and invest in renewable energy, infrastructure and technologies.

• Energy Efficiency: Improving energy efficiencies in buildings, offices and homes, transportation, and industrial processes and also inside and around our private and social environments can reduce any unnecessary energy consumption and therefore lower greenhouse gas emissions. This can be achieved through better insulation, efficient appliances, public transportation, and adopting energy-saving practices.

• Sustainable Transportation: Encouraging the use of electric vehicles, promoting public transportation, and investing in cycling and walking infrastructure will reduce emissions from the transportation sector which very significant and impactful contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions.

• Reforestation and Forest Conservation: Protecting existing forests, especially the rainforest in Brazil, as being the "green lung" of our planet earth and reforesting degraded areas, helps absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Forests act as carbon sinks and play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management: Implementing sustainable farming practices, promoting agroforestry, and reducing deforestation for agriculture can help reduce emissions from the agriculture sector. Additionally, adopting climate-smart techniques and using precision agriculture, improve yields while minimising environmental impacts.

• Circular Economy: Transitioning to a circular economy, where resources are used efficiently, waste is minimised, and materials are recycled or reused Investing in reusable packaging should be in the focus in all of our industries, so we can reduce the carbon footprint of production and consumption. Finally Food waste reduction, as nearly causing 30% of our carbon footprint should be on top of everybody's mind

• Education and Awareness: Increasing public awareness all around the globe and in all 196 countries, about climate change and its impacts is absolutely vital. Education can empower individuals to make sustainable choices, support climate-friendly policies, and advocate for this urgent and necessary change.

• Adaptation Measures: Alongside mitigation efforts, it is crucial to invest in adaptation measures to cope with the current and future impacts of climate change. This includes building resilient infrastructure, implementing early warning systems, and developing strategies for managing water resources and coastal areas.

• Consumer Choices: Finally, every single Individual can contribute to climate action through their daily choices.(and not necessarily through glueing your hands to the street) This includes reducing energy consumption, choosing sustainable and low-carbon products, minimising waste, and adopting environmentally friendly habits.

It is inimitably important to remember that addressing climate change requires collective action at all global levels and from all countries and cultures, individuals, communities, businesses, and governments. Each action, no matter how small, contributes to the larger goal of mitigating climate change and building a sustainable future.

Individual Actions

Individuals can make very easy to implement significant impact on climate change, for example by making pondered sustainable food choices. in the following chapter I would like to share some easy to follow actions, each and every individual can take inside his private environment to reduce their carbon footprint through daily food selections:and choices

• Eat a Plant-Based Diet: Animal agriculture, particularly the production of meat and dairy products, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. for example, for the production of 1 Kg of Beef it needs a huge amount of resources, including 10.000 L of water. Choosing to reduce meat consumption and opting for plant-based meals can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and reduce the unnecessary usage of resources. Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains into your diet. (this helps the planet and helps your wallet)

• Choose Local and Seasonal Foods: Buying locally produced food especially reduces the carbon emissions associated with transportation. A local apple from a farmer just around the corner in xxx-times more sustainable as a flown in mango from the other part of the world. Additionally, choosing seasonal produce reduces the energy required for storage and preservation. Visit farmers or your local farmers market or join the many local community-supported agriculture programs, you find in many countries al around the globe, to support local farmers and producers and access fresh, seasonal, local and traditional produce.

• Minimise Food Waste: Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, especially when it decomposes in landfills. Plan your meals properly in advance, buy only what you really need, and store food properly to avoid waste. If you have excess food, repurpose it wherever possible ( there are more then enough recipes available online) or consider donating it to local food banks, and if you still have food left compost it.

• Support Sustainable Agriculture: Look for labels or certifications that indicate sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices, such as organic, Fair Trade, or Rainforest Alliance. These certifications often prioritise biodiversity conservation, soil health, and reduced pesticide use.

• Conserve Water: Water-intensive agricultural practices also contribute a huge part to greenhouse gas emissions. By conserving water in your daily life, such as taking shorter showers, be mindful whilst watering your Lawn or washing your car, only run full wash machines or dishwashers and fix leaks asap, this can indirectly reduce the energy required for water treatment and distribution. Just as a reminder the water we use for our daily usage is only 1 % of the total amount of water on our planet, the rest is Saltwater or Ice, so we have to be very mindful with our water resources anyway.

• Grow Your Own Food: If you have the space, time and passion, consider growing your own vegetables and herbs. This not only provides you with fresh, organic produce, that taste better but also significantly reduces the carbon emissions footprint associated with transportation and packaging.from the food you usually obtain in a supermarket.

• Support Sustainable Seafood: Overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices are extremely likely to harm marine ecosystems. By choosing sustainably sourced, local and seasonal seafood and by looking for certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC / ASC) label, will ensures that the fish is caught by using environmentally responsible practices.

• Be Mindful of Energy Use: Cooking methods can also contribute to carbon emissions. Opt for energy-efficient appliances and use methods like steaming or stir-frying, which require less energy compared to prolonged boiling or oven use, such as 24 hour roasting, sous vide and so on.. And now and again just some cold food, like salads, Sandwiches and so on helps as well.

• Advocate for Change: Engage in discussions about sustainable food choices with friends, family, colleagues and community members. Encourage and support local businesses and restaurants to offer more sustainable food options and support policies that promote sustainable agriculture and reduce food waste.

Remember, every small change in food choices can add up to significant environmental benefits over time, and the more people support this, the bigger the impact will and can be. By making conscious decisions, individuals can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a more sustainable food system, and a healthier Planet for all of us and them to come after us.

PFJ.