Surging Glaciers in Northern Pakistan

Two thirds of all glaciers in the region may disappear by 2100 if the rate of greenhouse gas emissions does not change

Northern Pakistan is home to more than 7000 glaciers. In fact, Pakistan is the only country with the most glaciers outside of the polar region. These large ice masses made up of compressed snow are what have been providing fresh water to several villages nearby. Glaciers’ melt-water also provides continuous water to the Indus river, which in return provides irrigation for agriculture. A remarkable 90 percent of all food in Pakistan is produced through this system. Besides fields of crops, electricity generation through hydropower and water for drinking is are some of the other benefits of the Indus basin. Therefore, the glacial water Indus basin system is a vital part for the survival of the people living in several regions of the country.

In the northern city of Hassanabad, more than 600 thousand people depend on the surrounding glaciers for their water. However, due to climate change, the glaciers have begun to melt at a significantly higher rate causing them to gush forward at a faster pace. Glaciers that collide with villages tend to destruct everything in the area. In fact, one particular glacier in the Karakoram mountain range, the Shisper glacier has begun to surge at an alarming pace towards the nearby villages. The Shisper glacier along with other glaciers is predicted to wipe out homes, trees and essentially everything in their path. There are already cases of people losing their homes as a result of a glacial lake outburst.

The situation is only as expected to become worse as carbon emissions continue to climb. Even if the global average temperatures are halted at 1.5 degrees Celsius, one-third of the glaciers will be wiped out and swept into the Arabian Sea, destroying everything in their path.

Over the past, Pakistan has contributed to less than 1 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. However, unfavorable practices such as burning crop stubble, the use of brick kilns and vehicle emissions in the region may play role in the melting of the glaciers.

There has never been a more urgent time to begin reducing greenhouse gas emissions as people around the world suffer from all kinds of environmental catastrophes. Floods, forest fires, hurricanes and surging glaciers are a few examples of how people are losing their homes, crops and even their lives. Developed countries, especially the ones with high carbon emissions per capita, need to start implementing methods to decrease their outflow of harmful gases and help other countries do the same.

Is Circular Economy the Solution?

Recycling is the most neglected process that would otherwise establish a circular economy
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In the midst of an existential threat like climate change, we need to generate multiple solutions that could lessen the impact or even heal the issue. We can no longer go on doing business as usual thinking that nature will fix itself. Climate change is a man made problem that will require man made solutions. One of the proposed solutions is to adopt the economic system that essentially eliminates the continual usage of materials and virtually any waste. This approach is known as the circular economy.

The main aspects of a circular economy is that most products are recycled, waste is turned into a product and that overall production is reduced. This indicates to the fact that GDP is no longer the appropriate method to measure sustainable economic growth. The traditional linear economy where we take, make and dispose is fueling the effects of climate change. Instead of increasing the production of goods, we need to look at factors such as the environmental impact of manufacturing and energy generation from renewable energy sources. This will require a transition where the products manufactured have been used already and where renewable energy is only power source.

If this economic system, the circular economy, is implemented correctly, only then can we see the effects of reusing and recycling at their full potential. It is no longer a question of how, but a matter of when we will begin to strategically transition into economies that promote sustainable development.

Wildfires in Australia

Flames reaching 70 meters into the air. A billion animals dying or about to die in the following weeks. The Guardian describes the Australian bush fires as an “environmental tragedy”.

Australia has experienced its hottest year on record. More specifically, the months of September, October and November were the worst with the regards to highest bush fire risk. The extreme heat along with the intense dryness were the main factors to the forest fires.

Bushfire experts say that climate change is not only increasing the number of wildfires but also making it difficult to predict their behavior. The rapid bush fires are having a devastating effect on not only the wildlife, but the residents as well.

Koalas, lizards and other animals trying to escape by climbing higher up the trees are being burned alive as the fires reach 70 meters (200 feet) in height. Animals that do manage to flee from the sweltering flames sneak into people’s backyards searching for place to survive. In addition, some parts of Australia are experiencing high levels of toxic gases to the extent where people have to wear masks and this will only worsen as the global warming and climate change take a larger toll on our planet.

Furthermore, these devastating effects are occurring at a average global temperature that is 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Natural disasters will only become worse if we continue to experience a rise in the average global temperatures. To have a 67 percent chance of limiting the global average temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, we had 420 gigatons of CO2 left to emit as of January 1st, 2018. Now, we are down to 360 gigatons. As we emit around 42 gigatons a year, this carbon budget will be finished by 2028 if we continue in the same way. Experts agree that global carbon dioxide emissions will only rise as governments, banks and businesses continue to facilitate, invest and subsidize the extraction of fossil fuels.

Now is the time to understand and educate people about how climate change is affecting people around the world. The higher the number of people that understand, the easier it will be to do something about it. It is no longer some theoretical idea or opinion. It’s real and it’s happening.

Global Efforts to Reduce Climate Change

Since the industrial revolution, countries around the world have been emitting carbon dioxide at a massive rate. The rate at which greenhouse gases are emitted is rising each year. It is also estimated that the rate of increase will be the highest ever in 2019. Greenhouse gases have caused the global temperature to rise leading to devastating effects. Now, several countries are hoping to solve this critical issue.

Less than 4 years ago, the Paris Agreement was signed. This agreement required 196 countries to take steps to keep the global temperature under a two degrees Celsius change. Each country had its own national plan to help the global community achieve this crucial objective. Countries like Morocco, Gambia and Costa Rica are the few that have extensive plans to maintain the warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. These countries have developed extensive plans to switch to renewable energy sources and limit the use of forest resources. Costa Rica expects to have the whole country powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Additionally, Morocco has invested in large solar projects such as the Noor Ouarzazate Complex, the largest concentrated solar farm in the world.

Finally, other countries such as the United States and Russia need to begin implementing rigorous plans to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. All the countries need to collectively transition to clean renewable energy sources and help poorer countries develop solar and hydropower plants as well. This kind of action is necessary to ensure that the planet is sustainable for the future generations.

Governments are Now Involved in Climate Change like Never Before

Individual conservation efforts can only be successful if groups and organizations are formed. In other words, no one alone can solve the world’s climate change problem. We need to work together. We need to take action on a larger scale. We need to attract the attention of large businesses and more importantly, the government.

More than a thousand lawsuits regarding global climate change have been filed against governments and corporations since 1990. This trend is only rising as kids and teenagers are also beginning to protest against governments. With the increased number of governments involved in the race against climate change, there are numerous ways a large entity can improve a country’s environment.

In order to reduce the national carbon dioxide emissions, governments need to decrease the number of petrol-based cars, factories emitting pollution and the amount of trash ending up in landfills. To improve the sustainability of our environment, we should encourage governments to plant more trees, preserve natural areas and use renewable energy sources like solar power. There are other countless ways governments can perform large scale conservation efforts as well.On the whole, governments need to engage themselves and the public to lower the effects of global climate change. We need to act now in order to make a difference.

The First Step Towards a Carbon Zero Future

We all begin a goal with some initial motivation. Whether we want to run a 5K or read a book each week, all of us have to take that first step.

The same concept applies to becoming carbon neutral. Whether an entity will plant trees or reduce their carbon footprint, becoming carbon neutral requires an initial push.

To achieve a net carbon footprint of zero, a degree of commitment is required. With the right tools and small steps towards the right path, becoming environment friendly will be easy and enjoyable at the same time.

Our planet’s future depends on how we act right now. We need to keep the concentrations of greenhouse gases in balance to decrease the chances of harsh weather patterns. All of us have the ability and the knowledge to bring a positive change in our lives and the lives of all future generations.

Let’s start all our journeys to a carbon neutral future today.

Companies and Governments Need to Become Carbon Neutral

Around 1.2 million kilograms of carbon dioxide is released into the air every second by factories worldwide

– USA Today

Major companies need to reduce carbon emissions or become carbon neutral to make the planet sustainable.
— Staff writer

An excess of carbon dioxide along with other greenhouse gases is harming our atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as global climate change. The effects of climate change include stronger storms, more forest fires and more droughts. These occurrences are damaging the property and lives of countless people around the world.

We are living in an era where we have the information and tools to reduce global climate change. Government organizations and businesses need to implement strategies to decrease the amount of greenhouse emissions they release into the air every year. These entities also have the option of becoming carbon neutral. By becoming carbon neutral, they are in a state where the amount of carbon dioxide they produce is equal to their carbon savings.

Techniques companies utilize to achieve the level of carbon neutrality could be by planting trees or remove carbon dioxide from the air. The goal here is to attain a zero carbon footprint.

An example of a fuel that comes close to a carbon zero footprint is biofuel. Energy generated from raw plant and animal byproducts is called bioenergy. The carbon dioxide absorbed by plants is close to the carbon dioxide released when the biofuel is burned.

Becoming carbon neutral is not a simple objective to accomplish. Governments and businesses have to explore the tradeoffs that come with being environment-friendly. However, if strategies are implemented carefully, reducing carbon emissions will not only save ourselves but will save money in the long run as well.