Sustainability 101: The Urgent Need for Climate Change Mitigation
Deep, rapid, and sustained climate change mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are urgently needed.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasized that every little reduction in emissions will help slow climate change. The leading international organization on climate change’s first quarter 2024 report highlighted that the planet has already warmed by 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels.
As a result, the world is closer than ever to the critical threshold at which catastrophic weather phenomena batter the planet. Thus, there is an urgent need for deep, rapid, and sustained climate change mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the primary accelerator of global warming. Below are critical, multi-pronged strategies for climate change mitigation.
We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions — the leading cause of climate change — through various methods. Here are some key features:
Transitioning to Renewable Energy
Governments must increase their support of wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower technologies to accelerate their development. Moreover, they should also promote their advantages so that more people switch to them while ditching fossil fuels. Renewable energy needs to be more cost-effective to facilitate widespread adoption.
Enhancing Energy Efficiency
Using smart technology to improve the efficiency of appliances, buildings, and industrial processes can significantly reduce overall energy consumption. Every energy unit we do not use means less emissions are generated.
Supporting Sustainable Transportation
Cities should incorporate sustainable mobility systems into their transport infrastructure. Adequate charging stations encourage commuters to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) and electric two-wheelers (E2Ws).
In recent years, electric scooters have surged in popularity, becoming the representative of urban micromobility. They are sustainable, portable, and can pass through congested traffic, making them the ideal last-mile mobility solution.
Furthermore, mounting government support has considerably accelerated the advancement of e-scooter technology, narrowing the gap with conventional gasoline-powered two-wheelers. For instance, the Flash Motors Infinity X hyperscooter can cover 70 miles on a single charge and accelerate to 75 mph.
Adopting Natural-Based Solutions
Natural ecosystems, such as forests and mangroves, are crucial in absorbing carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere. Hence, restoring degraded forests and protecting existing ones will significantly contribute to the climate change mitigation movement.
