2030
According to climate scientists, we have only 11 years at most to save ourselves from the present climate emergency.
This means “global warming has to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.”
With the present world now at 1C warmer than preindustrial levels, climate change is already ongoing. Hurricanes and typhoons have become more frequent, stronger, and devastating, deadly forest fires are ongoing, record droughts recorded.
“At 1.5C the proportion of the global population exposed to water stress could be 50% lower than at 2C, food scarcity would be less of a problem and hundreds of millions fewer people, particularly in poor countries, would be at risk of climate-related poverty.”
At 2C, expect more extremely severe hot days, heat-related deaths, and more forest fires. Nature will experience much loss with “insects, which are vital for pollination of crops, and plants almost twice as likely to lose half their habitat. Corals would be 99% lost.”
Expect sea-level rise that will affect millions of people, elevated acidity and lower levels of oxygen in oceans with decline evident in marine fisheries. We are already experiencing less marine supply from our waters. A recent report showed that by 2050, portions of Cebu City, along with other parts of the Philippines may be submerged.
What can be done to stem the climate catastrophe?
First, everyone has to be aware and understand that the climate emergency is real, ongoing, and gravely threatening!
Next, let us all take time to seriously review mitigation pathways recommended by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which require different combinations of land use and technological change - “widespread changes in energy, industry, buildings, transportation and cities. Reforestation is essential to all of them as are shifts to electric transport systems and greater adoption of carbon capture technology.” Refer to https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15 or www.ipcc.ch.
Carbon pollution would have to be cut by 45% by 2030. Planting trees, planting forests, better management of soils and grasslands are natural climate solutions.
“Regreening of the planet” would be equivalent to halting all burning of oil worldwide. Trees soak up heat-trapping carbon dioxide as they grow and release it when they burn or rot. That makes forests, from the Amazon to Siberia, vast natural stores of greenhouse gases. Overall, better management of nature could avert 11.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year by 2030.”
Now, do you understand why we urgently need to preserve and protect, not cut or burn our trees in Naga and elsewhere?
2030 is also the target date for achieving the 17 sustainable development goals: 1.) No Poverty, 2.) Zero Hunger, 3.) Good Health and Well-being, 4.) Quality Education, 5.) Gender Equality, 6.) Clean Water and Sanitation, 7.) Affordable and Clean Energy, 8.) Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9.) Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 10.) Reducing Inequality, 11.) Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12.) Responsible Consumption and Production, 13.) Climate Action, 14.) Life below Water, 15.) Life on Land, 16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and, 17.) Partnerships for the Goals
By 2030, the attainment of climate-resilient pathways and sustainable development goals are crucial for creating a protected, peaceful, prosperous planet for people.
Shall we proceed to 2030 allowing “business as usual,” remaining unmindful of the dire consequences of the continuing local/global climate and societal crises/emergencies?
Or shall we, through partnership, seriously unite and coordinate our personal, local, global actions to save ourselves and together create a more equal, prosperous, peaceful and protected world and planet for all?
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