Growing climate crisis means urgent action needed

The climate crisis is not a distant warning, it is a global emergency. The planet’s average temperature has increased by just over 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, bringing it to an irreversible tipping point.

There have been worsening extreme weather events, from hurricanes to record heatwaves and wildfires, which have increased by 50 percent, cost billions of dollars yearly for reconstruction, and forced people from their homes.

As a result of global warming, there are already visibly devastating effects. The 2023 wildfires across Canada and the Amazon released 5 giga-tonnes of carbon dioxide, accounting for about 15 percent of yearly global emissions.

Scientists predict that sea levels will rise by 30 centimeters by 2050, while 600 million coastal inhabitants will face risks. The previously unmatched 2022 Pakistan floods affected 33 million people while causing destruction of about $30 billion across vulnerable regions.

Habitat destruction and climate change together threaten more than 1 million species. However, while the Paris Agreement aims to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, current trends hint that we are headed for a 2.7-degree Celsius rise by 2100. This stark failure emphasizes the urgency of more forceful policies and global cooperation.

Systemic changes are necessary to tackle the climate crisis. A cornerstone solution is renewable energy. Solar and wind contribute over 12 percent of global electricity generation but this needs to grow to 70 percent by 2050 to meet net-zero targets.

Heavy industry, responsible for nearly 30 percent of global emissions, must also decarbonize. Green hydrogen and carbon capture are being piloted, and direct air capture is bringing it closer to reality. By 2030, its facilities are projected to capture 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

“The fight against global warming requires precise prioritization because multiple entities working together will attain meaningful results.”

Moreover, nature-based solutions through reforestation and wetland restoration act as emission sinks that maintain annual subtractions exceeding 30 percent of worldwide emissions.

According to UN analysis, $400 billion annually should be invested to provide solutions across developing regions. International collaboration, together with innovative financing tools such as green bonds, will help seal this funding gap.

Leadership at all levels is critical. Robust policies such as carbon taxes, when implemented in countries, have cut emissions by up to 15 percent. Equally important are investments in green infrastructure, such as electrified public transport and renewable energy grids.

For example, China’s quick roll out of solar energy infrastructure has made it the world’s largest producer, contributing more than 30 percent of the global total.

Businesses must also step up. Corporate leadership can drive systemic change, as seen with Microsoft, Unilever and others committing to carbon-negative operations by 2030.

On an individual level, we can influence systemic changes by adopting practices that begin with reducing energy usage and supporting climate advocacy.

Addressing the climate crisis requires science and technology. The cost of renewable energy, such as offshore wind farms or perovskite solar cells, has been reduced by over 80 percent. This is due to advancements made over the past decade, making clean energy more accessible than ever.

Carbon-capture technologies, such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, are used as industrial emission mitigators but still face scalability challenges.

Precision farming and lab-grown meat, for instance, are lowering emissions and land use. Lab-grown meat produces up to 90 percent fewer greenhouse gases compared to conventional livestock farming. With strong policy support, these innovations can provide a pathway to a sustainable future.

Everyone should recognize the pressing necessity of the climate emergency. The most susceptible groups experience the worst repercussions of ecological destruction, economic setbacks, and poor health outcomes. This will probably worsen due to delayed climate action.

To achieve sustainable development, bold leadership must work with transformative solutions and technological innovation. Everyone has a role to play. The fight against global warming requires precise prioritization because multiple entities working together will attain meaningful results.

The trajectory toward a soaring greenhouse gas effect can be reversed through evidence-based systemic changes and substantial investments, leading to a livable planet for future generations.

• Majed Nezar Al-Qatari is a sustainability leader, ecological engineer and UN youth ambassador with experience in advancing environmental, social and corporate governance and sustainability goals in corporate businesses, nonprofit organizations and financial institutions.