By Ariba Fatima
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan
An arrangement of weather that takes place over a long period is called Climate”. The Long-term change in weather and temperature in the atmosphere is known as Climate Change. Climate change can be a natural process because of volcanic eruptions and due to the activities of the sun. Still, the Earth’s climate is now uncontrollable just because of human activities and the population too.
In 1800 the World’s population was 1 billion and now it’s approximately 8 billion. Now climate is that the population was engaged in activities without damaging the Earth’s natural environment. Human activities have crossed every limit. Scientists studying climate change have demonstrated that, for the past 200 years, almost all global warming has been caused by people. Greenhouse gases produced by human activities are warming the planet more quickly than it has warmed in the previous two millennia.
The Earth’s surface currently has an average temperature of 1.1°C higher than it was during the late 1800s (before the Industrial Revolution) and higher than it has ever been in the previous 100,000 years. The last four decades have all been warmer than any other decade since 1850, with the most recent decade being the warmest on record, from 2011 to 2020.
The temperature of the earth is rising day by day. The above graph shows the temperature was 0.8°c in the year 1850-1900 but then it started increasing from 0.8°c to 1.5 now in 2024 and it will rise to 2 or even 2.5°c in 2050. Countries are competing with each other to become industrialized without thinking about their only planet (Earth) where all types of species can live. Now it doesn’t mean that industrialization should stop, however, it is not the biggest cause of climate change, but it plays a significant role in climate change, during industrialization several harsh and dangerous gases mixed into the air which causes climate change.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process to warm the Earth’s surface but when gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone trap heat from the sun and prevent it from going back to space then these gases affect the climate very badly, these gases are brought from human activities like burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
Most people amongst us think that climate change means hot temperatures, however, climate change also includes droughts, scarcity of water, polar ice melting, rising sea levels, floods, and storms. Sea water is rising approximately 3 inches every year due to high temperatures, glaciers are melting, and adding water to Oceans. Countries like Europe are colder than the Arctic Ocean, and people in different parts of the world are losing their homes. It is shocking news that the coastal cities will be under the water within 80 years e.g. Miami in the US and Osaka in Japan. And if the climate is not controlled then the entire Island nation in the Pacific could disappear.
Youth’s Role in Building a Positive and Effective Change in Climate
The population of Pakistan according to the UN estimates the July 1, 2024, is 245,209,815 and the youth out of it is 58.7 million. Out of 24 Million and something youth is 5.8 Million, And if we talk about the World population is 8,118,835,999, and out of it 1.2 billion young people in the world today are between the ages of 15 and 24, making up about 16% of the total population. The number of youth is expected to have increased by 7%, to almost 1.3 billion, by 2030, the target year for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that comprise the 2030 Agenda.
The youth who are the backbone of the country can make a big change in bringing positive change. Youth have the opportunity to learn about the science of climate change, e.g. its causes, effects, and solutions such as about greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide, deforestation, etc., and most importantly human activities that are the big cause of climate change according to scientists.
Information and Awareness-Building
If information is delivered in schools, colleges, and universities then obviously these young students will talk about this topic with their relatives, peers, and society members then the maximum knowledge will be spread automatically. Now this is an era of technology 4.95 billion people are on social media, the young people are active on social media all day long if start posting about climate change and its situations through blogs, podcasts, and by posting and organizing different campaigns then there are high chances to aware the world about climate.
Promoting Education on Climate Change
Youth can be instrumental in promoting the inclusion of climate change education in extracurricular and academic programs. They can work together with educators, managers, and school boards to incorporate environmental issues into social studies, science, and other pertinent courses. Workshops, seminars, public presentations, and social media campaigns can all be used as educational initiatives to educate people about the significance of switching to renewable energy.
Encouraging Initiatives for Renewable Energy
Young people can actively support community-based renewable energy projects including hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, and solar projects. To help these projects succeed, they can give of their time as volunteers, actively take part in fundraising events, and support advocacy and outreach.
Youth can also push nearby companies, educational institutions, and governmental buildings to invest in renewable energy solutions to meet their energy demands. These solutions could include installing solar panels on rooftops or signing contracts for the procurement of renewable energy.
Advancing Careers in Renewable Energy
Young people can investigate employment options in the renewable energy industry and encourage others to follow careers in sustainable engineering, hydroelectric power, solar energy, and wind power. Young people can encourage their peers to seek jobs in renewable energy as a means of supporting climate change by drawing attention to the growing need for professionals with experience in this field as well as the possibilities for innovation and job development.
Participating in invention and Research on Renewable Energy
Young people can actively engage in invention competitions and research projects centered around renewable energy technologies. Young innovators may propel advancements in this industry by creating novel concepts, technologies, and solutions that enhance the affordability, accessibility, and efficiency of renewable energy. They can work well together with academic institutions, research centers, and business associates to investigate novel strategies for utilizing renewable energy sources and conquering current obstacles.
Modeling Excellence
Most importantly, young people may set an example for others by incorporating renewable energy practices into their daily lives. This includes setting up solar panels, utilizing renewable energy sources, cutting back on energy use, and promoting sustainable energy options in their homes and communities. Young people can use their technical expertise to create creative solutions to environmental problems like pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. These solutions could be developing tools for sustainable agriculture, designing renewable energy systems, or making pollution-monitoring applications.
Young people can advocate for social and environmental justice by using technology to amplify their voices. They can also use technology to mobilize support, raise awareness, and put pressure on corporations and policymakers to take meaningful action on issues like equality, human rights, and climate change.
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The author is a student of Behavioral Sciences from Fatima Jinnah Women University.