Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, once said, “Unless we take action on climate change, future generations will be roasted, toasted, fried and grilled.” It is evident that climate change will have catastrophic sequels, but to call this a problem of our “future generations” would be a misnomer. This is owing to the fact that climate change is rather affecting our current generation.
Right now, our world is on fire. In Europe, intolerable midday temperatures are exceeding 40 degrees, and this is not just a one-time thing. From massive wildfires, heat waves, great floods, and the disappearance of glaciers, these kinds of news are no longer unfamiliar. Global warming and climate change are all around us as a result of greenhouse gasses warming up the earth. The nature we have destroyed is threatening us with the enormous power it holds.
People are constantly producing these terrible disasters all while seeing and feeling them with their own eyes. Oblivious consumers are prone to drinking beverages from convenient disposable cups and eating packaged foods every day. The media also continues to stimulate people's consumer confidence, resulting in the propensity for numerous consumers to buy trendy clothes every season and to go crazy about new products. People think the solitary act of recycling would be enough to better the environment, but this common practice is not enough. We must reduce the initial waste by using less plastic and utilizing more sustainable products as this will ultimately minimize carbon dioxide emissions. But will these changes be possible solely with voluntary individual efforts?
Reducing carbon dioxide emissions as a countermeasure against rapid climate change is our top priority and this is all dependent on internationally effective practices. This solution is being actively discussed as nations are aiming to practice carbon neutrality- a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. Within different nations, different solutions are being implemented such as carbon tax, carbon border tax, and emission trading systems. With these approaches, scientists are aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Not only are government operations important for achieving carbon neutrality but large corporations also play a significant role.
Taking advantage of the global atmosphere of initiating change and the latest government policies, global companies are endeavoring to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Accommodating both the growing amount of consumers wanting “green products” and rising awareness of carbon neutrality, numerous companies are making claims that they will make significant changes. However, the countless assertions companies have made don’t hold integrity as they are exaggerating their action and holding ambitious-sounding headline claims. For example, by 2030, Google pledges to be carbon neutral while Ikea promises to have a climate-positive environment. To test the integrity of these relatively successful companies, factors such as annually disclosing emissions were investigated. These companies were both rated “low” in their integrity levels. Thomas Day of NewClimate Institute, looking at this questionable integrity, claimed, “We set out to uncover as many replicable good practices as possible, but we were frankly surprised and disappointed at the overall integrity of the companies’ claims”. Although many experts are acknowledging this issue, this realization is not so apparent to citizens and policymakers since they believe the misleading advertisements of the companies. Looking at the “progress” is giving people hope, but their perceptions aren’t reality. We can’t expect these companies to do all the work for us. Just observing this “progress” isn’t making any difference and is not enough for our role in climate change. We shouldn’t just be looking at the targets or deadlines for reducing carbon emissions; rather, we should encourage organizations to analyze and continually review their operations as we look for more sustainable ways to reduce emissions and improve the environment and climate.
In spite of the diverse methods of implementation of companies and nations, we need to come together to achieve one goal of carbon neutrality. Many of us took everything for granted and have procrastinated this change. We can’t go back in time to change our irreversible actions. It is time to be active and this day cannot be delayed. Spreading awareness and taking part in these changes is our part in reaching carbon neutrality. Don’t be frightened by all these catastrophic events but be inspired by them to make a change. It's better now than never, so spread your words before climate change overpowers us. Choose to spread awareness. Choose to take action. Choose a path- a path for your present, your future, and your child’s future. Strive towards a path of change because your silence today is the worst for all.
Works Cited
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