Responding to U.N.'s "Final Warning" On Climate
Responding to U.N.'s "Final Warning" On Climate
Embracing Our Role In Securing a Sustainable Future for All
Dear Friends,
As I gaze upon the world around me, I cannot help but be struck by the extraordinary beauty that exists on this planet we call home. It is this beauty that has nurtured the human spirit for millennia, giving us the capacity to love, to create, and to innovate. I spend a great deal of time contemplating our place in this world, especially as it pertains to how we as humans have oppressed one another. In doing this work, I constantly try and consider what our greatest threats are, and at the moment, I see no greater threat than the current state of climate change. A menace that threatens the very fabric of our existence. Especially in light of the recent U.N. report on just how dire the situation is.
And so, I want to dedicate this piece to how we might all stay informed on this matter, and ultimately, help save the world.
First, I must confess, I am no expert on climate change. In fact, in my most recent Young Adult book, Better Than We Found It, we knew that my wife Porsche (co-author) was best equipped to take the reins when it came to writing the chapters focused on the climate situation we face. I am simply a person with a voice, stakes, and concerns in the matter, and I cannot ignore the urgency of the issue that confronts us.
A few days ago, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made it clear that we are running out of time to act. Their report states that the world is already 1.1°C warmer, and the odds of avoiding a 1.5°C temperature increase are approaching zero. There’s a great deal of science in the report that I don’t necessarily have a full grasp on, but I’m less interested in what I don’t know, as opposed to what I can do to help.
You see, to be alive in this age is to bear witness to the ever-present struggle between human aspiration and our capacity for self-destruction. We are a species capable of creating immense works of art, literature, and music, yet we are also the architects of our own potential demise. Climate change, a consequence of our unquenchable thirst for power, serves as a stark reminder of this duality. This crisis transcends borders and boundaries, cutting across race, sex, and religion, forcing us to confront the uncomfortable truth that our actions have consequences.
It is imperative, then, that we stay informed on the realities of climate change. But also, that we do something. So, I’ve outlined below a few things we can do (all of which are provided by the U.N.):
Save energy at home by improving your home's energy efficiency and switching to energy-efficient appliances.
Drive less, walk or bike more, and use public transport whenever possible.
Adopt a plant-based diet to reduce the environmental impact of meat and dairy production.
Fly less and consider alternative modes of transportation for long distances.
Cut food waste by using what you buy, composting leftovers, and reducing overall waste.
Recycle, reduce, reuse, and repair goods to decrease carbon emissions and waste from production.
Switch to renewable energy sources for your home, such as wind or solar power.
If you plan to buy a car, consider an electric vehicle or a hybrid to reduce CO2 emissions.
Make your money count by supporting environmentally responsible businesses and sustainable investments.
Speak up and encourage others to join in taking action to preserve our planet.
To bury our heads in the sand, to dismiss the mounting evidence as mere alarmism, is to betray not only our own humanity, but also turn our backs on the generations yet unborn, leaving to them a scar that can’t be healed.
Climate change is not merely an abstract concept or a distant threat, but an urgent and immediate crisis that demands our collective attention. To know this is to see, with clear eyes, that the natural world which has nourished our souls is now in grave peril.
It is my deepest belief that the human spirit is resilient, that we are capable of transcending our worst instincts in pursuit of a more just and equitable world. But this transformation can only occur if we are willing to confront the realities around us, be accountable, and act accordingly.
My hope, is that each of us will find small (or large) daily ways to help save what we love so much.
In the words of the late, great James Baldwin: "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." Let us face the reality of climate change with courage and conviction, for it is only through knowledge and action that we can hope to alter the course of our collective destiny.
With Love,
Frederick