Climate Change: How Individuals Can Make A Difference To The World?

Do you feel hot year by year? Do you feel like you want to drink cold water to refresh? Did you know that we experience an increase in temperature every year due to climate change? What is climate change, and what causes climate change? Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperatures and weather around the world. Climate action is primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial emissions, etc. These human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the Earth's temperature to rise.

Climate change has large impacts on all living organisms on the earth. One of the most noticeable effects of global warming is the increase in extreme weather events. These events have become more frequent, intense, and unpredictable due to rising global temperatures. Some key examples include drought, heatwaves, heavy rainfall and flooding, hurricanes and typhoons, wildfires and melting glaciers, and rising sea levels.

SDG 13; Climate Action, created by author Lim Jia Hui, 2024.

Indonesia is one of the countries affected by climate change. Many people have been forced to move due to rising sea levels and frequent floods, especially in coastal areas like Jakarta and Semarang. This has caused disruption in the community and increased expenses for housing and infrastructure. Unpredictable weather conditions in rural areas, such as prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall, have negative effects on agriculture, which employs a significant section of the employees, reducing crop yields and threatening food security. Furthermore, Indonesia's economy, which is largely reliant on natural resources, is vulnerable to damage from climate change. These resources include agriculture, fishing, and tourism. These industries have suffered from wildfires, coastal erosion, and coral bleaching, which have put jobs at risk and caused financial losses.

We live in the world and use its resources. It’s the responsibility of us all to preserve the environment. Otherwise, it could have a significant impact on us. What steps can we take to combat climate change? What simple actions we can take to help in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability? One of the easiest steps is we should use solar powered products. For examples of home appliances that can run oh solar power is oven, Air Conditioner, washing machine, refrigerator, heater and etc. The environmental impact of solar panels is minimal. Generating electricity from solar panels produce no greenhouse gases whatsoever, and so can help to reduce the effect of climate change if used widely. With solar energy powering a home or business, there is no burning of fuel and no emissions from energy production. Using solar powered products energy not only helps mitigate climate change but also reduces electricity costs over time.

A Poster that call to climate action,created by author Lim Jia Hui,2024.

Avoiding single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and straws, is a simple yet impactful way to reduce global greenhouse emissions and pollution. Single-use plastic is produced from fossil fuels, extracting and creating these plastics emits vast amounts of greenhouse gases. It is estimated that just the extraction of these fossil fuels and their transportation to plastic factories emits 1.5 to 12.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Besides that, plastics often end up in oceans, harming marine life and contributing to the growing global waste crisis. It is estimated that marine plastics are contributing to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. Plastic can affect marine species in a variety of ways, from entanglement and injury to ingestion and toxic contamination. In order to solve this problem, we can use recycle bag and stainless steel straw to replace single-use plastic. These reusable items are generally more durable than plastic ones and can save money in the long run.

Greater utilization of public transport services over personal vehicle use is one of the best ways on how to reduce emissions and helps to save the environment. Road vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses and motorbikes are account for nearly three quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions that come from transport. These vehicles run on fossil fuels and emits greenhouse gases into atmosphere. With more people using public transport, there are fewer cars on the road, leading to less traffic congestion and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Using public transportation able us to save time and money by avoiding traffic delays and finding parking.

Reducing use of air conditioner is a simple yet effective way for us to conserve energy. Much of the existing cooling equipment uses hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, which are potent greenhouse gases, and use a lot of energy, making them a double burden for climate change. We should limit the use of air conditioner and relying more on natural ventilation or solar powered products. In turn, we will have a positive impact on the environment by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

These lifestyle changes, though simple, make a big difference in combating climate change and protecting the environment. By implement them into daily habits, we are not only reduce our personal environmental impact but also inspire others to adopt similar practices. When multiplied across communities, these actions create a ripple effect that can contribute significantly to global efforts in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable living for future generations.