What's the challenge we're facing?
Let's get real here, folks. Climate change is not a future problem; it's a now problem. Our world's getting hotter by the minute, with temperatures climbing faster than a mountain goat on a caffeine high. As per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), our planet's average temperature has already increased by about 1.1°C compared to pre-industrial times, and we're inching closer to the crucial 1.5°C mark. If that happens, expect even wilder weather, from bone-chilling winters to sweltering summers.
But it's not just about temperature, oh no! We're talking sea levels rising higher than a giraffe's breakfast, with about 3.6 millimeters per year since 2005, threatening low-lying islands and coastal cities. And our precious ice caps? They're melting faster than ice cream on a hot sidewalk, losing an average of 286 billion tons of mass per year between 2000 and 2019.
And let's not forget, our actions are affecting more than just us. Countless species are finding it hard to keep up with the rapid changes, leading to reduced biodiversity. According to the WWF, we've already lost about 68% of wildlife populations since 1970.
Renewables made up 29% of the world's power in 2020, signaling a brighter, greener future ahead.
What are we doing about it?
Sounds pretty doom and gloom, right? But hey, Cauuuse isn't in the habit of spreading despair. No, we believe in action, not inaction. We believe in solutions, not surrender.
So, what's to be done? Well, first, we've got to cut down our greenhouse gas emissions pronto. We're talking about a big old switcheroo from fossil fuels to renewable energy. And we're not just blowing hot air here. In 2020, renewables made up 29% of the world's power, and that's just the start!
Second, let's work on that green thumb and start planting more trees. These natural superheroes can absorb up to 22 kg of CO2 per year. Forests cover about 31% of our land area, and increasing this percentage can significantly help in offsetting carbon emissions.
And finally, we need to adapt and prepare for the changes already happening. This includes making our cities greener and our coastlines more resilient, investing in sustainable farming, and promoting cleaner, greener choices.
There's a heap of work to be done, but with you, us, and the rest of our Cauuuse crusaders, we can turn the tide on climate change. Let's be the change we want to see, one step at a time, one card at a time.