Effects of climate change have seemingly accelerated over the years, with reports of intense heatwaves, extreme weather conditions, and rising sea levels growing more frequent all over the globe. In fact, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) data shows that around 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly susceptible to climate change and that its effects can potentially cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year.
Not only does climate change put billions of people’s health and lives at risk, it also exacerbates already existing vulnerabilities such as poor infrastructures, shortage of water or energy supply in disadvantaged countries, and lacking emergency response plans. This has then prompted collective efforts among governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide to address climate change and its effects. After all, climate change isn’t just a single country’s problem, thus making it an issue that requires global action to effectively mitigate.
In addition, this collective response also helps further raise awareness on climate change, prompting individuals to feel more invested in the cause. Whether it be something as simple as people wearing custom bracelets that say “Save the Planet” to spread their advocacy of living a more sustainable lifestyle or joining organized rallies that call for accountability from organizations or businesses hurting the environment, every action contributes to helping our planet heal.
Here are several ways in which global action plays a vital role in increasing public awareness on climate issues, thus driving meaningful environmental change.
1. International Agreements and Policies
For an issue as complex as climate change, it is only crucial to unite countries to share their expertise, knowledge, and resources when coming up with climate change solutions. Global agreements make this possible by encouraging countries to pledge to meet specific climate change goals. As an example, the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in 2015 led to the historic Paris Agreement that pushed for all participating countries to significantly lower their emissions and to work hand-in-hand in combating the effects of climate change.
As global agreements involve world leaders meeting in summits to discuss climate policies, they’re able to emphasize how important taking action against climate change is. Moreover, these events generate media coverage, thus creating public interest and increasing awareness about climate issues worldwide.
2. Environmental Campaigns and Movements
Activists and organizations also play a key role in making climate change a global concern. Groups such as Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and The Climate Reality Project have all launched worldwide campaigns, petitions, and educational materials that help inform people about the threats of climate change and potential solutions.
One of the most popular worldwide campaigns is Earth Hour organized by the WWF. This annual event prompts households, businesses, and landmarks to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change and energy conservation. While seemingly just a simple act, the global participation in Earth Hour engages individuals and businesses alike to think more about the planet, which can lead to long-term environmental actions.
3. Educational Programs and Curriculums
Climate change awareness shouldn’t only involve adults but the youth as well. By teaching young people about climate change and its impact, they grow into individuals who deeply value the environment and are equipped with the knowledge to act. Pushing for climate change education can also encourage more research in environmental science, sustainability, and climate policy, all of which foster innovation and solutions for climate challenges.
UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), for example, is a global initiative that promotes integrating sustainability principles into education. Through ESD, UNESCO assists governments in including topics like climate change, biodiversity, renewable energy, and sustainable consumption into their national curriculum. Through this, climate change awareness among students is significantly increased.
4. Media and Digital Awareness
Television, films, social media, and journalism all have a huge impact on how people perceive climate change. Thus, they can be powerful tools to raise awareness on how climate change is affecting our daily lives.
Documentaries such as “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006), for instance, have been instrumental in educating millions about the science of climate change and why there’s an urgent need for action against it. Meanwhile, climate activists and organizations are using social media platforms to reach people all over the world, giving them climate facts and sustainability tips that can guide them into better understanding climate change.
5. Corporate Sustainability Initiatives
Businesses play an important part in raising climate change awareness as well, particularly global brands that have a wide reach. For example, with tech giants Google and Apple committing to using 100% renewable energy in their data centers, other businesses may reevaluate their own energy use and thus follow their lead.
Likewise, more businesses are now committed to using eco-friendly packaging such as opting for corrugated bubble wrap instead of plastic bubble wrap. This helps reduce their carbon footprint while also spreading awareness about sustainability to their customers.
Global action is essential for spreading climate change awareness as it encourages governments, businesses, and organizations to collaborate in coming up with solutions to address pressing climate issues. This in turn influences individuals by bringing climate awareness to the ground level. Through this collective effort, we then have a shot at creating a more sustainable future.
