Why we’re concerned about climate change

Climate change is everybody’s business, no-one on the planet can escape the affects of climate change, but we can all make a difference in several different ways.

What’s the problem?

Last October a group of 91 scientists presented a report to the UN which said we have 12 years, in which if we don’t change how we use the earth’s resources (and therefore how we live), there will be irreversible climate catastrophe. Climate change is something that is happening already and we are all seeing the effects of this in different ways around the world, with extreme and unpredictable weather taking its toll. Those who are poorest are bearing the brunt of this, but we share the planet and it affects us all.
What can we do about it?
The question is perhaps best asked the other way around – what happens if we do nothing? What will the future look like for our children and grandchildren? The statistics are scary. We need 3 planets to cope with our current consumption. Only 10% of people in the world actually have clean air. Micro plastics have made their way into our bodies – they are in the food chain and have even been found in breast milk!
Locally, air pollution is a serious problem with levels in New Cross and Deptford six times higher than World Health Organisation guidelines, and New Cross Road is listed as one of the worst 50 roads in London. Though within that bad news story it’s great to report that Besson Street Community Garden, the home of NXG Trust, is proven to be in the top three clean air spaces in New Cross (Goldsmith’s Clean Air Survey). Why? Because we have a dense planting of trees and other plants absorbing the carbon dioxide in the air and churning out fresh oxygen. We need dense planting of trees in every playground, school and nursery outdoor space.
On an individual level we can all make small differences and it will add up.
But we need bigger changes too! The big culprits are the companies producing and over producing goods, using fossil fuels and precious resources on a massive scale. We need society wide changes and this means there has to be a huge emphasis on the worksplace, on industry and big business not simply the home.
Lots of people have been protesting recently. Children and young people have been striking – in May ‘FridaysForFuture’ held strikes in 131 countries! Extinction Rebellion has also emerged as a global movement and captured headlines. 142 Councils in the UK (including Lewisham) have already declared a Climate Emergency as has the UK Government.
The crux is that we need to reduce our CO2 emissions fast. The wealthiest nations are responsible for more CO2 and within these the wealthiest people are responsible for a bigger share. Key contributors to CO2 emissions include –
• Fossil fuels – transport (cars, planes, ships),
etc. and electricity.
• Animal farming – meat and dairy
• Shopping – fashion industry and importing food
and goods.
We can use our rights as citizens and consumers, and while we can each try to do our bit we need to pressure companies and governments to change too. ‘Social scientists have found that when one person makes a sustainability- oriented decision, other people do too.’