ABSTRACT
The paper aims at addressing issue to climate change and the need to hurry in fixing the global climate situation. It gives an explanation on why it is true that we are left with less than 10 years to recover our climate. The Paris agreement is discusses in details and the areas its addresses towards mitigation of climate change. The effects of Covid-19 to the current climate change have been discussed mentioning some of its long-term impacts to the climate. Also a brief discussion on impacts of broadcast media on climate change towards peoples perspective on this issue.
- Introduction
Climate change is among the most threatening issue in the current century with more negative impacts to our ecosystem (Al‐Ghussain, 2019). The impacts are already being observed and it is very clear that the changes in climate are due to human activities majorly by release of greenhouse gases. The increase in global warming will lead to extreme change in weather patterns including the drastic warming temperatures, an increase and intensity of frequency, rising of flood durations and intensified periods of droughts, just to mention a few. As a result the Paris Agreement was established to save the global ecosystem which received many signatories from different countries. However, these efforts have been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic where countries have shifted their attention. Climate change is a big threat to our Planet Earth.
2.0 Research questions
- Critically evaluate the following statement: As climate has been warmer than this in the past, current climate change is not our fault, and we don’t need to fix it.
- Discuss whether we only have to 10 years to fix climate change
- The Paris Agreement pledged to limit global warming to 2C. Critically evaluate how effective the agreement will be in tackling the issue of climate change and discuss how it might be improved.
- Critically evaluate the impact of broadcast media in public perception about climate
- Discuss the positive and negative impacts that Covid-19 will have on global warmin. Critically evaluate whether in your opinion, Covid-19 will prove to be better or worse for climate change.
2.1 We are running out of time on climate change
Change in climate basically the alteration of climate because of human activities a result of fossil fuel banning, deforestation and many other activities which is causing an increase in greenhouse gas concentration. Our livelihood and ecosystem largely depends climate which has been altered over many years. It is therefore wrong to justify that we are not the cause of rise in temperature. Hence, there is need to fix our Planet and it is the responsibility of human to take initiatives in fixing the Mother Nature.
It is true that the world is running out of time on the issue of climate change. The green recovery project is lagging behind time especially during this pandemic period where governments have shifted their attention to saving the World’s economy due the effect of Covid-19. Therefore, the green recovery project, meant to achieve the reduction of global emission has been interfered because of the need to save the stricken economies all over the world.
However, the problem is that the global temperature has been rising fast during the past year. Global heating is not showing any chances of reduction and hence the world is exposed to danger of climate breakdown ranging from Wildfire to Arctic ice. The UN general secretary, Ban Ki-Moon, addressed the world saying it is important we are building the economy but if we do not stress toward temperature reduction below 1.5C the world will be at a huge problem. The current climate is heading at 3C which will cease the existence of countries and cities. It is essential for leaders to shift their attention to a more sustainable model, focusing on strategies such as low-carbon emissions to provide jobs and a clean environment and not ignoring the carbon infrastructure recovery initiative, meaning giving up on the Paris Agreement on climate change.
In addition, an argument arises that constructing a green recovery will give more jobs hence the need of climate recovery. This can be achieved through insulation of our homes by use of renewal energy techniques such as solar panel installation. Also project of city remodeling is necessary to make movements easier through traffic reduction, tree planting projects and constructing flood defense. These initiatives create job opportunities as well as participation in green recovery. Governments are urged to also invest heavily in order to secure low-carbon emission.
Countries have embraced the green recovery project in order to save our ecosystem. An announcement made by China President, Xi Jinping that the global biggest emitter would adapt a net Zero target for the first time in history. The emitter is to ensure that its emission peaked before 2030 followed a commitment from the Japanese Prime Minister and the South Korea’s government on the net zero by the year 2050. This was a remarkable step taken by the Chinese government. Currently, many countries are joining hand and taking part in this initiative (Net Zero) by 2050. However, the fate of the world currently rests on Chinese government which has not even started on recovery of the climate and is taking swift steps on the net zero initiative by the President. If the country does not prioritize on coming up with green recovery methods, prioritizing the five year plan of Net Zero the chances of the world reaching it climate target is very high. This clearly explains why we are running out on saving our ecosystem.
The most important think needed right now is the need of clean energy recovery together with economic recovery plans. Several organizations have been formed and are campaigning toward climate justice. An example is the EU which is currently on track on its recovery mission by provision of 30% of its €750bn funds. Also, the member countries of the EU are encouraged to come up with better plans which can benefit their countries in particular.
With all said, it is evident that time is not on our side. Global emissions are still being witnessed and less initiatives steps have been taken toward green recovery. If the pattern continues then there is no place for human in this world. However, as discussed we can strive toward mitigation of climate change to ensure that we save our ecosystem in the next coming 10 years. Countries that depend entirely on agriculture have already been impacted on the increased global warming. People in developing countries such as Philippines are at a high risk since they entirely depend on agricultural product. It is therefore, human responsibility to ensure that green justice is recovered since we have 10 year or less to fix the climate.
- The Paris Agreement on limiting Global warming to 2C
In the year 2015 history was made in France during a conference held by head state members and government representatives referred as Conference of parties (COP21). The head of states sat down and a decision was made. There was a binding agreement for the purpose of reduction of the GHS emission. The aim was to limit the emission of excessive global temperatures and generally to take care of our ecosystem, the Earth planet and humanity. The agreement was made because of the continuous global warming of our climate which has been witnessed over years. There was need of an action to save the environment. Philippines is one of the country that support the agreement with its signatories (Dimitrov, 2016).
The purpose of the Paris agreement was geared towards reduction of gas emissions (global action) aiming at reduction of global warming up to 1.5 degree Celsius just above the level of industrial temperatures. This agreement is an international trademark for global action. Also the aim was to enhance climate flexibility and financing toward climate resilient and development of low-carbon products. Also, it was influenced by great damage and loss as an impact of climate change. When there is more global emission temperatures rises and the world becomes very hot hence more severe consequences to climate change. Hence, the Agreement was established to address the issue of sever rise in global warming
In order to make the Paris Agreement successful and operational a working program was developed to come up with guidelines and procedures on the broader issue of climate change. Several parties have been working together since the year 2016 to ensure the success of the Agreement. The Paris Agreement adopted during the Conference meeting addresses the following areas.
3.1.1 Long-term temperature goal
The Agreement is striving towards strengthening of the world wide response towards climate change. It aims at bringing back the limitation of global temperatures increase to 2 degree Celsius while at the same time showing efforts to limiting the increase of 1.5 degree Celsius temperature.
3.1.2 Mitigation
The agreement has a binding where all the involved parties have a commitment maintain a contribution nationally and communication with the purpose of pursuing domestic measures to achieve climate control. It stated that the parties will be communicating every 5 years with the NDC (National Determined Contributions) by providing progress and information for clarifications, Each NDC will present a progression and provide insights and reflection on the next possible ambitions. All the developed countries are encouraged to take the lead in this initiative by participation of absolute economy wider reduction. On the other the developing countries should progressively increase their mitigation effort in order to reach the economy- wide-target.
3.1.3 Sinks and Reservoirs
The Paris Agreement, in article 4 encourages parties in conservation and enhancement in appropriation of reservoirs and sink of the GHGs.
3.1.4 Adaptation
Another aspect focused in the Paris Agreement is the goal on adaptation. This means enhancement of adaptive capacity such as reduction of vulnerability to climate change and ensuring climate flexibility in the context of temperature reductions. It strongly focuses on global adaptation through support of the international cooperation. All parties should participate in the adaptation through formulation and implementation of the adaptation Plan. The parties are also required to periodically give reports and update on their priorities plans and action in adaptation plan.
3.2 Special Reports on global warming of 1.5 degree Celsius.
Just after the the 21st Conference meeting of the head states in Paris, a report was published referred to as The Special Report On Global Warming that address the decision on the Paris Agreement about climate change. The release of this report by the Intergovernmental Pnael of Climate Change, provided an assessment of the understanding of climate change scientifically. It also shows the participants and the stakeholders . The report majorly focuses on the issue of climate change and the risks addressed in the agreement. Also, it discusses the challenges of ignoring and avoiding the mitigation plans of green recovery and the warming the temperatures above the pre-industrial levels. The information in the report is of help to policy makers and practioneers in decision-making that focuses on climate change in consideration of the people’s needs and context.
Releasing of the report clearly showed that the Philippines are calling for greater response and urgency in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It has strengthen the Philippines advocacy toward mitigating climate change and future pursuit of temperature goal above the temperature levels which is 1.5 degree Celsius. The climate Science calls for greater solidarity and resolving, and faster responses to Secure or planet Earth and also to make the humanity safer once more. The Special Report on Global warming gave individuals insight of what the future awaits us if we keep ignoring the ever occurring impacts of climate change. The report showed that between the year 2030 and 2050 the global warming is likely to go up to 1.5 degrees Celsius
There has been an increasing level in our ocean acidifications due to high carbon-dioxide concentration that is directly linked to global warming of 1.5C. It is predicted to affect the diversity growth, altering the survival of species and hence there will be high abundance of a broad range of species in our ecosystem. It has also been projected that the coral reefs will decline further up to 90% due to 1.5 degree Celsius temperatures. The change in our climate is also going to be a reason of an increase in poverty. It means that the population of poor people is going to increase drastically.
3.3 How can the Paris Agreement Improved?
The present level the future emission reductions addressed by the Government in NDC’s does not consistently in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limitation of global temperatures to 1.5c. Therefore, there is need to address some changes in order to bring the next Nationality Determined contribution in line with the Paris Agreement. The agreement should request all the involved parties to present their revised NDC ambitions by 2020. There are several actions to be taken in order to bring NDC’s in line with the Paris Agreement. To achieve this, parties need to be more ambitious from now until 2030.
Hence, all countries need to have greater ambitions, if there is truly need to achieve the 1.5 temperature goal. All states have a key role to play is increasing the ambitions. An increase of ambitions that is a 20% reduction below the levels stated in the NDC target. If there are incremental ambitions by parties and the trend continues beyond 2030, it will imply that warming will go up to 2C.
In addition parties should implement an increase in transparency and integrity in the upcoming 2020 update. This will make it easier in accessing the progress and identify gaps that may need improvement. However, clarity, integrity and transparency cannot be traded for increased ambitions and hence, the two strategies should go in hand. Ignoring the needs to quickly step up our ambitions risks locking the world in fuel based infrastructure. There are multiple scenarios in the world including market trends where the ramping of ambitions is not only possible but also benefitting to the economy.
There are very many benefits that come with sustaining development with increase in mitigation efforts and consistency in ambitions with the Paris Agreement. It includes reduction in cost due to renewable energy technologies which reduces air pollution and its corresponding health impacts. The cost reduction can be used a springboard for NDC’s transformation ambitions.
4.0 Impact of broadcast Media in Public Perception about Climate Change.
Journalist and broadcast houses play an important role as intermediaries by conveying information to its audience. They are gate keepers of news flow and it’s their responsibility to decide what message to convey. The role of journalist in climate change has causes attention on scholarly articles. Climate change is a diverse topic which includes scientific, social, economic and cultural attention. Therefore, the issue on climate change has been taken by many media desks together with their journalist. Climate journalist is becoming more knowledgeable on this issue more than professional decision makers. Many writings have showed the attention media has devoted on climate change and hence the relevance of the topic in many states.
Studies show that the impact of media representation has been focused on individual level. This include savings people problem on awareness particularly on climate change, there level of information on global climate and their willingness to take action. It is true that most citizens are not aware of the global warming situation in the world. Therefore, it is a demonstration that the amount of information individual get from newspapers or television is directly linked to their awareness
4.1 Mass media increases knowledge about climate change
There are evidence of cognitive effect of representing information about climate change through broadcast media. It is true that people acquire information from the media on topic under discussion and learn more about it. It includes factual information on the degree of effects of climate change together with potential solutions towards mitigation strategies and also individual options towards climate action. The process of information has been established for situations where people to turn to broadcast media (Bourk, 2017). As the slogan goes “knowledge is power”, the information acquired changes people’s perspective about climate change and many strive towards the green recovery initiative. It has been witnessed that many individual are taking steps toward control of climate change through personal initiatives.
It has been repeatedly shown that use of media representation specifically newspapers, television and the internet are the most important source of information on climate change (Corbett, 2015).
5.0 Climate change and Covid-19
Covid-19 has impacted climate change both positively and negatively. Due to lockdown in many countries, it has caused reduction in industrial activities and transportation hence low carbon emission of 17%. Covid-19 has also influence personal behavior and social attitude in response to government measure that will affect the environment (Lidskog, 2020).
However, the pandemic impacted climate change negatively at large. The government has shifted its attention toward reviving the economy and forgets the project towards green recovery. A delay in COP26, the Paris Agreement adopted by all the countries, a project to ensure that the global average temperatures are not rising beyond the pre-industrial levels. The parties involved were to announce the plans to mitigating climate change (Newell, 2020). The process however has been delayed and set aside by many countries due to Covid-19. Also, a number of international negotiations have been delayed. The World Conservation conference, which was to do an evaluation on the conservation measure, has been postponed to January 2021.
Also, the project by the Brazilian government towards stopping deforestation of the Amazon forest has been delayed. Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian president has been initiating commercial project which is meant to absorb 2billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But, Brazil have experience a hard hit of the pandemic and is currently focusing on controlling the virus.
Hence, it is clear that Covid-19 is proving to be worst on climate change. Many projects that were meant to sustain climate change has been postponed or rather ignored. This is very dangerous because it is also evident we are left with less time to fix the climate.
6.0 Conclusion
One thing that is clear is that we are running out on time on climate changes. The humanity is responsible for the climate change and it is our responsibilities to ensure the human activities toward global emissions are reduced. Countries are urged to participate on the Paris Agreement that aim at mitigating the climate change. Countries need to re-strategize and once again align their future plans and recovery on climate despite the Covid-19 pandemic. We should re-visit the action to contribute to the global change. Countries need to put forward stronger adaptation and mitigation measures to ensure that we all survive in these challenging Period
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