By Ezekiel Okedele
Climate change, driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, has emerged as the most urgent issue of our time. Scientific consensus indicates that these actions are leading to rising global temperatures, severe weather events, biodiversity loss, and disruptions to ecosystems and human societies. Immediate action is crucial to avert the worst impacts.
Scientists have long warned about the dangers of unchecked carbon emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that a rise of more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels could have catastrophic consequences, including more frequent hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, rising sea levels, and loss of polar ice and coral reefs.
Critics argue that transitioning to a low-carbon economy is costly, but the cost of inaction is higher. Climate-related natural disasters cause billions in damages annually, disrupting agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
Scientist has further said that humans, through activities like burning fossil fuels, raising livestock, deforestation, and releasing heat-trapping gases, are identified by scientists worldwide as the primary factor driving climate change. Production of numerous products that contains harmful chemicals that affects the environmental elements which also in return affects the land in cases of drainage and in cases of chemical released affects the carbon dioxide and causes change in climate.
These acts that occurs affects the fertility of the land and dries up the good parts of the soil and affect the growth of things planted by farmers.
Conversely, renewable energy sources like wind and solar not only mitigate climate change but also create jobs and drive economic growth. The renewable energy sector is rapidly expanding, proving sustainable development is both feasible and profitable.
Robust policies and innovative solutions are essential. Governments must reduce emissions, incentivize renewable energy, and promote energy efficiency. International cooperation, as seen in agreements like the Paris Accord, is crucial.
