The Change Log:

“Climate change” and “Global warming” are about to become two more clichéd phrases that we’ll continue to hear every single day and yet choose not to do a thing about.

Let’s be honest here… with the way that the world seems to be going, we don’t have much time left. So let’s make this quick –

If I were to ask you, what is climate change? This is what you’d probably say- Climate change refers to the long-term changes in global temperatures and the atmosphere. Human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas.

There’s really nothing wrong with that definition, except that it’s…incomplete. It talks about the climate, but not about “change”.

Studies have proven that we fear change because it means that the outcomes are unknown. Our brains are designed to find peace in knowing. When we don’t know what will happen, we make up scenarios and, in turn, create worry. Humans find it hard to move on when something known is going to come to an end. So much so, that fear of change is a thing… metathesiophobia.

That brings us to our first question: If it’s “change” that humans fear so much…why do we contribute to the planet changing and potentially our lives ending? We continue to pollute the oceans and dump over 2.12 billion tonnes of waste in our landfills each year.

Quite the irony, don’t you think?

In fact, humans have changed the world in ways I never thought possible. From discovering fire and making tools to survive, to sending a man to the moon, releasing the first iPhone, driving species extinct, and acidifying the oceans. Our impact really is felt everywhere. We continue to alter the world in ways that benefit us, only to face its unintended consequences.

By settling down and producing our own food, for example; we created enough food to feed billions of people, buildings that protected us from extreme weather, and technologies that allow us to extend our lives and communicate worldwide. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to us, we also created piles of waste that formed breeding grounds for contagious diseases, large concentrations of people, and domesticated landscapes that displaced wildlife.

We are wrecking the one planet we have left… pushing it closer to its inevitable destruction. So let’s change a few things – NOW.

RFC #1: Change begins with you. – Take small steps toward achieving change in your own life. Make sustainable living choices and work towards reducing your carbon footprint. Carry your own bag while shopping, refuse the straw that comes with every drink, and walk to places nearby to save fuel.

RFC #2: Changing communities. – Volunteer your time at a neighbourhood clean-up or cleanliness drive, and simply recognise the humanity of other people, and respect their dignity. Work toward achieving and promoting the SDG goals within your community.

RFC #3: Promote and inspire. Let your actions speak for themselves. Share videos and posts on social media that motivate people to take action on the issues faced by people everywhere, everyday. If everyone contributes their own part to saving the earth, things might become just a little bit…. better.

The longer we wait to take action, the more difficult & expensive it will become to reverse the effect of climate change. The impact it has left on the planet as we know it, is irreversible for the people alive today. But we must push on, and do our best to save the Earth.

#decisions #savetheEarth #ClimateAction #nowornever #myonepercent #shalmalisirsi