Climate change is an urgent global issue that will profoundly impact our world in the coming decades. Decades of scientific research have shown human activity, mainly burning fossil fuels, is causing rapid global warming through the greenhouse effect.
The science clearly shows we must act now to slash emissions and adapt to unavoidable climate disruptions ahead. And while our understanding of climate change continues to improve, we know enough to start solutions.
However, while this may be true, very few people understand what will happen if we continue like we are. This is because many people find the topic of climate change overwhelming. Unfortunately, until we build climate change awareness and scientific literacy, we won’t see any improvements. Here are six key reasons why learning the basics around climate change matters.
1. Recognizing Risks to Our Future
Climate change poses substantial risks to human security and well-being worldwide. The more we understand how rising greenhouse gases affect weather patterns, ecosystems, and natural resources, the better prepared we can be. Learning about climate change allows people and governments to start accounting for the risks and making informed plans.
The planet is already around 1°C hotter than pre-industrial times. Impacts include melting glaciers and ice sheets, rising seas, more extreme weather, and ecosystem changes. If emissions continue unchecked, temperatures could rise over 2°C by 2100 with catastrophic results.
2. Appreciate the Urgency
Learning how quickly greenhouse gas emissions are warming the planet underscores that major changes must happen now, not gradually. The risks to food systems, water security, ecosystems, and weather patterns grow more severe each decade emissions are not curbed. Understanding the urgency from scientific projections motivates us to demand action from leaders.
3. Seeing How it Connects to Our Lives
Many people don’t realize how extensively climate change touches facets of our lives – food, water, the economy, public health, national security, and more. Learning how a warming planet influences these systems makes the issue more tangible. When we recognize the interconnected impacts, addressing climate change becomes an obvious priority.
4. Furthering Public Policy Changes
Public opinion significantly influences government action on climate change. The more citizens understand the science and the threats ahead, the more they will support critical policy measures around mitigation and adaptation. Educating ourselves on key climate concepts, projected impacts, and solutions is the first step to driving political will and legislation.
5. Underpinning Environmental and Climate Journalism
Robust journalism is essential for relaying scientific findings to the public and holding leaders accountable on climate action. Building an educated readership allows outlets to produce quality, in-depth reporting on climate change, trusting the basics resonate. Media literacy helps us differentiate between accurate climate and environmental journalism and misinformation.
6. Empowering Personal Sustainability
Learning the basics around emissions, carbon footprints, renewable energy, and green technology allows people to evaluate their habits and take responsibility. We can only improve that which we measure and understand. Climate change education enables more individuals to minimize their own impact through daily choices and actions.
In an issue as far-reaching as climate change, knowledge truly equals power – the power to salvage our future. Let’s get learning.
