In a world where sustained global warming is no longer up for debate, it is incumbent on all of us to consider our role in this unfortunate reality and how to mitigate future damage. This entails considering both short-term and long-term approaches to tackling global warming, while understanding how our day-to-day decisions shape the future. This article examines several methods by which individuals and governments can work together to stop global warming, while exploring both the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
Energy Efficiency
Improving energy efficiency in both the home and the workplace is a sure-fire way to reduce individual and commercial consumption of finite resources. This can be realized through a variety of means, from switching to renewable energy sources, to utilizing Energy Documents
(EPCs) when constructing new buildings, and home insulation. These methods reduce consumption, meaning less strain on natural resources, and subsequently, decreased carbon emissions. As such, going green in the home or workplace has far-reaching consequences for climate change, particularly when those methods are adopted by a mass of people.
Sustainable Transport
More and more people are looking towards sustainable modes of transportation, such as cycling, walking, and public transport, instead of private cars. Not only does this reduce individual pollutant emissions, but it also reduces day-to-day congestion on the roads. Moreover, as the technology of electric vehicles develops, many countries are putting in place policies to encourage their adoption. Here, the concept of renewable energy comes into play too: electricity is used to power vehicles rather than petrol, thus significantly reducing emissions. Governments can play an instrumental role in this, either by introducing subsidies or financial incentives to encourage sustainable transportation, or developing public transportation networks that are accessible to all.
Urban Planning
The way cities are designed has a profound effect on the environment and global warming. Unplanned sprawl not only increases the number of cars on the roads, but it increases overall consumption of electricity, water consumption and pollution. On the opposite end of the spectrum, ‘green cities’, wherein people live in denser urban spaces and infrastructure is designed to be environmentally friendly, can have a positive impact on global warming. This requires governmental investment, as it involves strategic planning: establishing green parks, redesigning transport systems, introducing effective zoning laws, and promoting energy efficiency, among various other measures. Such innovative urban planning decreases emissions while promoting healthier living.
Political Action
Political action is, undoubtedly, integral if global warming is to be hindered in any meaningful way. Global politicians must adopt binding climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, and must enforce those agreements if sustainable energy solutions are to be truly realized. Moreover, national and regional governments need to sign-up to those agreements and ensure their citizens are aware of relevant initiatives. Political action also involves introducing taxes on bigger, more polluting industries, as well as incentivizing individuals and businesses that switch to renewable energy sources. Despite being a long-term solution, it is only through political action that genuine change will take place.
Each ofthese approaches has its merits and detractors. Moreover, each must be implemented at different stages of mitigating global warming. Ultimately, even simplistic changes, such as car-pooling or energy efficient appliances, can add up to make a big difference if everybody makes an effort—and given the immediacy of this problem, it is more important now than ever before to act.
