The Ticking Clock: Why 1.5°C Matters to Our Generation

The climate clock is ticking, and the time we have to stay within the 1.5°C global warming limit is decreasing dramatically with the modernization of technology around the world.

What does this mean for the younger generation? Well, for starters, the sea level could rise. According to World Wildlife, this could impact 1 billion people by 2050. The Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on earth, and while the Arctic sea ice recedes every summer, it could end up having no ice during the summer. This would greatly affect the Arctic wildlife and the conditions they need to survive. Heat waves will become more frequent and more severe across the world, affecting billions of people. The flood risk will increase greatly due to heavier rainfall and snowfall. Plants and animals will be at risk of losing their habitats as they become less hospitable to a large variety of species that are crucial to the food chain. 

What can you do at home to help set back climate change? 

• Switch to renewable sources of energy where possible. 

• If you can afford to, try and get an electric vehicle instead of one that burns fossil fuels. 

• You can counterbalance the annual carbon emissions by planting trees or using carbon capture storage techniques. 

• You can promote local businesses that use and support climate-smart practices. 

• If you can, try biking or walking to where you need to be. Turn off the lights in a room if you’re not using it, and shut down technology that is plugged in. 

• Recycle if you are not already. 

• Eat the food that you buy, and compost what you can no longer eat. 

• Reduce water waste. When taking a shower, turn it off between rinsing and take shorter showers. 

• Reuse and repurpose clothes or items that you don’t need anymore. 

• Speak up to your community, encourage friends and family to do the same as you. 

It may seem like just you alone doing what you can isn’t enough, but you will make a difference. Even if it’s just a little, anything helps.