Earth’s climate is severely changing in every region and across the whole climate system: Claims UN-backed report.

Scientists are observing worrying changes in the Earth’s climate. According to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes already set in motion—such as continued sea-level rise—are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.  

What’s at stake?  

The mounting climate crisis is contributing to a plethora of global problems that are mounting to food insecurity, poverty, and displacement in countries like Africa along with far-reaching consequences for a livable future across the planet. Many notable scientists have confirmed that we have reached a “code red” for our world.  

Elevated warming  

We have hit the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decades, and unless there are immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions we have some serious concerns coming our way.    

Emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850-1900, and that number has averaged over the next 20 years. Global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming.  

It is estimated that by 2030, up to 118 million extremely poor people just in Africa will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat, which will hinder progress towards poverty alleviation and growth.  

 Changes across every region at a faster pace  

Climate change is already severely affecting every region on Earth, in multiple ways. The changes we experience will increase with additional warming. Numerous attributes of environmental change straightforwardly rely upon the level of global warming, however, what people experience is often very different from the global average. For instance, warming over land is much worse than the global average, and it is over two times higher in the Arctic.  

And the impact? There will be increased heat waves, longer warm seasons, and shorter cold seasons. But, it is not just about temperature. Climate change is bringing multiple different changes in different regions especially poor countries like Africa– which will all increase with further warming. For example:  

Rapid shrinking of glaciers  

The last remaining glaciers in eastern Africa are rapidly shrinking which are expected to melt entirely in the near future. This is a signal, an immediate threat of imminent and irreversible change to the Earth system.  

There are only three mountains in Africa that are covered by glaciers: the Mount Kenya massif, the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.   

Currently, their retreat rates are higher than the global average, and “total deglaciation” could be possible by the 2040s. Mount Kenya is expected to be deglaciated a decade sooner, according to a latest report. This will be one of the first entire mountain ranges to lose glacier cover entirely due to human-induced climate change.   

Millions of people at risk  

Increased weather and climate change is disrupting lives and economies across the globe, estimated to cause up to 118 million extremely poor people on the African continent to be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat, which will hinder progress towards poverty alleviation and growth.  

This presents a serious challenge for climate adaptation and resilience actions because not only are physical conditions getting worse but also the number of people being affected is increasing.  

The zero-waste approach  

When we adopt a zero-waste lifestyle we can help reduce emissions and mitigate against climate change by primarily reducing the demand for materials. This can be achieved by implementing circular economy strategies which have commitments to Zero Waste at their heart. The Zero Waste, circular economy and low-carbon agendas are complementary and mutually supportive of one another, especially when delivered at the local municipality level.  

I created Tangie with the vision to immediately create a system that is both economically and environmentally friendly, by keeping the value of materials and products within a community and subsequently reducing the use of single-use plastic and emissions of greenhouse gases which are the driving force behind our planet’s climate breakdown.  

The COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference, is being hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy. I have been watching the public webcast throughout the conference to learn, see and hear from government and business leaders, activists, celebrities, youth advocates, community changemakers, and more from every part of the world. 

As individuals, we can slow down global warming by implementing small more sustainable actions within our community.

Each person can together make a huge difference. Let’s start your zero waste journey with our Laundry Concentrate Bar. Makes 1 gallon of liquid detergent with absolutely zero plastic waste . Try Tangie today!