If Scotland had wonderful weather, I’d never want to leave. So, when I heard the planet was heating up, I thought I’d won the lottery. And I surfed that wave of denial for quite some time 😳.
Like many, I’d been hearing about climate change for a while. Terms like ‘Net Zero’, ‘carbon footprint’ and ‘global warming’ kept cropping up, but I didn’t fully understand them. The subject felt overwhelming, so I avoided it until it became impossible to ignore.
So, how about learning with me? These posts will be short and part of a series, designed to be quick reads and easy to digest.
First up: What is Climate Change (or Global Warming)?
Climate change refers to significant shifts in the Earth's climate system, leading to more extreme and unpredictable weather. The planet is heating up due to greenhouse gas emissions, which are upsetting our climate. Many of us have already experienced or read about some of the impacts: intense storms, floods, rising sea levels, crop failures, increased diseases, species extinction and more.
These emissions mainly come from human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and especially the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Understanding where they come from can help us grasp the full scope of the issue.
Hope
After sinking into countless studies, reports and mild depression, I eventually saw a glimmer of hope. It turns out that we can make a difference and our actions do matter, however small, ‘from small acorns’ and all that.
'We know what to do. There is a path to sustainability... This vision for the future is not just something we need, it’s something we want.' Sir David Attenborough, A Life on Our Planet (2020)
Action
Start small, for example ...
Sign a petition supporting environmental policies or share an informative post.
Next time, we’ll take a closer look at how human activities are driving climate change.
Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear your thoughts - what's your take on climate change? Drop a comment below or share your own small actions toward a more sustainable future.
Have a great weekend!
Image Credits
Jane E Porter is a fine artist and illustrator from Scotland, dedicated to exploring and understanding the fascinating interplay between art, psychology and philosophy. She shares insights and observations made over the past two decades with a delightful mix of wit and wisdom. Join her as she continues her journey, delving into these themes, offering you fresh perspectives and insights on art, identity and storytelling.
It all feels pretty scary but I really want to learn more about it.