We all know that humans are killing the planet. We can see the effects of the record heat waves, the streaks of record high temperatures, stories about floods and major storms all over the world, and glaciers receding or melting entirely.

Seeing all this news doesn’t help us, in fact, it usually makes us feel helpless. It happens on a scale bigger than we can process with too many factors for any one person to feel a sense of control over the damage we are causing our planet. 

Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of great things being done all over the world to fight climate change. There are new technologies coming up every day and advancements in science that can help turn the tide against global warming. Not to mention that green energy production has never been so prevalent or economically viable. 

Unfortunately, almost all of us feel as if we are sitting on the sidelines watching climate change happen while crossing our fingers, hoping our world will be stable enough for our kids to reach old age. 

I am writing this to break down some of the main causes and impacts of global warming, and show how everyone can get off the sidelines. To show you how to break the cycle of helplessness regarding global warming, without having to dedicate your life to the green movement. I am going to do my best to accurately break down causes and effects behind global warming, primarily using data from:

• Our world In data 

• The IPCC 6th Assessment Report 

• NASA Science 

A full list of sources can be found at the bottom.

The Main Cause of Global Warming is Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Greenhouse Gases

The heating of our planet is caused by greenhouse gasses emitted into the air. These gasses are primarily CO2, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide. 

Greenhouse gases warm our planet through the way they absorb energy leaving the earth's atmosphere and reflecting that energy back to earth, slowing down the release of heat into space. 

“About half the light energy reaching Earth's atmosphere passes through the air and clouds to the surface, where it is absorbed and radiated in the form of infrared heat. About 90% of this heat is then absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-radiated, slowing heat loss to space.” - (Climate Change - NASA Science, 2023)

Before the Industrial Revolution, the atmosphere still contained greenhouse gases, but the amount in the atmosphere was stable thanks to all the plant life on earth converting CO2 (a greenhouse gas) into Oxygen (not a greenhouse gas).

Since then humans have thrown the balance of emissions and absorption of CO2 to the wayside. While dramatically increasing our emissions, we also decreased the amount of CO2 that can be absorbed due to deforestation - for materials and land to fit the needs of our still-growing population. 

To understand how we can fight climate change, we should first understand where these greenhouse gases are coming from, and figure out which areas we as individuals can make the biggest impact. 

Let’s look at the data! 

CO2

CO2 is by far the largest contributing greenhouse gas and is the main focus when talking about climate change, so much so that the terms CO2 and Greenhouse Gas have become somewhat synonymous for many. 

While CO2 isn’t the only greenhouse gas, CO2 emissions trend heavily with all greenhouse gasses, so they are certainly important to look at. 

This map, from Our World in Data, shows the cumulative CO2 emissions from the beginning of data collection in 1750 as of 2022. Countries such as The United States, China, Russia, and Central Europe produce a disproportionate amount of CO2 than the rest of the world. 

This is especially important to consider because less wealthy nations all over the world will feel the effects of global warming strongly, even though they are not the primary contributors to it

This chart breaks down CO2 emissions by sector, showing that as of 2020 the largest threats to the planet when it comes to CO2 emissions are Electricity and Heating, Transport, and Manufacturing. This includes all the fossil fuels used for Energy, Heating, and the transportation of goods globally. It also includes all the emissions coming from manufacturing goods (such as plastics and concrete). 

Methane

Methane Emissions primarily come from Agriculture, and the emissions from the Meat and Dairy industry are especially significant. (a single cow produces 220 pounds of Methane each year).  

"Methane from cattle is shorter lived than carbon dioxide but 28 times more potent in warming the atmosphere." - Mitloehner, A professor and Air Quality Specialist in the Department of Animal Science. (UC Davis, 2019)

Fugitive emissions, which are leaks during production, transport, and chemical processes, are also significant. They (along with Waste emissions) are also emitted in landfills, where organic matter decomposes outside of the soil. 

This is especially frustrating because, had the organic matter ended up in the ground, it would decompose naturally and return its nutrients to the environment thereby helping the ecosystem, rather than harming it. 

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is the last major Greenhouse gas to be mentioned, but its numbers are still incredibly significant. 

The majority of Nitrous oxide emissions, by far, come from the agriculture industry. 

Nitrous Oxide is naturally produced by microbes in nearly all soils, but applying nitrogen fertilizer allows those microbes access to more nitrogen, which helps them grow, but also increases their emissions of Nitrous oxide. 

As the use of Nitrogen fertilizer has rapidly increased over the last 50 years, so have emissions of Nitrous oxide. 

Important to note: getting rid of Nitrogen fertilizer would not eliminate Nitrous oxide emissions all together, as crops produce it even when a natural fertilizer such as manure is used.

Impact on Warming

Due to our rampant emissions of greenhouse gases, Our planet is steadily warming. 

Light energy from the sun is more and more likely to be re-reflected back to earth by greenhouse gasses, letting out less energy than is coming in. 

This means that our planet is warming. A lot. 

This chart shows the Average temperature globally across land and sea. The 0˚C marks the average temperature between 1961 and 1990. Average Temperatures have risen by over 0.8 degrees Celsius since that average and 1.2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial levels. 

Impacts of a 2.0˚C warming above pre-industrial levels

The impacts of rising temperatures are already being seen globally. If current trends continue, the effects will be exacerbated further with significantly more extreme weather events, increased food and water scarcity, ecosystem collapse, and rising sea levels. 

Below are some facts taken from the IPCC 6th Assessment Report, stating the impacts of climate change across all sectors. IPCC stands for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which is a UN body dedicated to assessing the science regarding climate change. 

These figures show some of the frightening impacts the warming of our planet has had and will have if our species continues its course. 

• The strongest warming in hot seasons is predicted to be 3˚C above pre-industrial levels in mid-latitudes in places such as Central and Eastern North America, Central and Southern Europe including the Mediterranean, as well as Southern Africa. 

• Extreme heatwaves are expected to be widespread at 1.5˚C in the tropics worldwide.

• Limiting warming to 1.5˚C could result in 420 million fewer people being frequently exposed to extreme heatwaves and 65 million fewer people being exposed to exceptional heatwaves. 

• Limiting global warming to 1.5˚C will reduce the magnitude and frequency of heavy precipitation and flooding in northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. As well as reduce the length and frequency of extreme drought and water shortages in the regions of the Mediterranean and Southern Africa as well. 

• If warming increases to 2˚C, small island nations and low-income countries are particularly at risk of food, water, and energy crises, leading to greater proportions of poverty and instability. 

• Limiting warming to 1.5˚C as opposed to 2.0˚C will also halve the number of people expected to suffer from water scarcity, which is approximately 2 billion people. 

The risks to ecosystems worldwide will also be drastically different in a 2˚C world than in a 1.5˚C world. 

For example, the IPCC states with very high confidence that even in a 1.5˚C world, 70-90% of existing coral reefs today will collapse. Across oceans in low-latitude areas, the temperature changes will cause fisheries to lose substantial productivity. 

This will hurt the 3.3 BILLION people who rely on fish for a significant portion of their food intake, many of whom are in areas with a lack of alternatives.

It will also risk the livelihoods of the approximate 200 Million people who are directly and indirectly employed in the marine fishing sector. 

Although harder to track, global warming will also have drastic impacts on food production and agricultural industries worldwide. This will result in mass food and water shortages, as well as global supply chain issues.

 Essentially meaning that your options for food at the grocery store are going to get more limited, and less reliable.

These statistics from the IPCC report, show some, but not all, of the ways that we will feel the effects of our warming planet if we can’t change course. Some of these effects are already occurring, but they will be significantly worse if we don’t take extreme and immediate action to treat our only home planet better. 

What can an individual do?

This future is scary. 

Fear is a perfectly rational response to the crisis our species has gotten our planet into. The best way to deal with this fear, I think, is by getting involved in the solutions. 

So what can we do as individuals do to help in a crisis that is so complex and global that we can’t help but feel miniature by comparison?

 When facing a problem this big, how you think about it is so important. 

Remember that we can only control what's within our control. We can’t control everything going on around the world, but we can certainly take control of the options we have in front of us.  

Let’s look at the biggest contributing sectors to greenhouse gas emissions, and see where we can have the most impact. 

While sectors such as energy and transportation make up the largest share of greenhouse emissions, we are limited in the amount of action we can take to reduce their emissions. 

This does not mean that we are powerless though. 

We can: 

• Switch our homes to rely on renewable energy sources such as solar.

• Use public transport and carbon offsets for travel. 

• Vote in democratic elections in support of green initiatives. 

• Sign petitions and speak out against the fossil fuel industry.  

These are all great actions we can take that make a difference, but I think the biggest ways that individuals can make a difference is in two sectors: Manufacturing & Agriculture. 

 All by using our dollar votes. 

Dollar Votes

We all purchase goods and services in our global economy, and this purchasing is where we have the greatest control over our impact. 

We live in a society that makes more ‘stuff’ (the technical term) than we need. Industries like fast fashion, technology, and food create products that usually end up in landfills, and create emissions in the manufacturing and transportation of their products, which tend to have short lives and are rarely recycled. 

The good news is this: 

Companies and industries will be forced to adapt if they are no longer making a profit. When people decide to shop more sustainably, the market economy shifts with them. Companies harming the environment will be forced to adapt or go out of business when people find and purchase sustainable alternatives. 

Which means that you, the individual, hold power with your money. 

Every time you purchase something, you are voting in favor of that company staying in business. It also means that when enough people prioritize shopping sustainably, the market will fit those wants, because that’s where the profit will be.

 If more people practice sustainable shopping, sustainable companies will become more popular, and companies that aren’t sustainable will then have a monetary incentive to go green.

Once it becomes ‘cool’ to shop sustainable, everyone will be switching to sustainable alternatives. 

When wearing your clothes to the end of their life becomes ‘cool’, people will be sporting their beat-up coats, shoes, and jeans with pride. 

Individuals choosing to shop sustainably can have a significant impact on the emissions from the manufacturing sector. A sector that makes up almost one fifth of all carbon emissions. 

That.

 Is.

 Huge. 

You can also use your dollar votes for good by purchasing agricultural products that are more climate-friendly. 

The most impactful choice you can make when you do your grocery shopping is to buy less meat, and in particular, less beef. 

Shopping sustainably has always been notoriously difficult though. It’s hard to tell if the company your shopping from is ethical, or if they’re greenwashing you. 

There is a great app that can help though. (not a sponsor)

It’s called Commons, and it’s free to download on your phone. The app shows you sustainable brands that you can purchase from in a variety of industries and can give you detailed information on their sustainability and ethical practices, to help you shop sustainably.

 It can help you track and shrink your personal carbon footprint and makes it easier for you to shop guilt-free with rewards for sustainable purchases, helping you save money too. 

It is still relatively new, so many brands you know of aren’t on there yet, but it can show you plenty of brands that ARE sustainable, when you likely haven’t even heard of them. 

This is not a sponsored post, but Commons is simply an amazing product that can do a lot of good, so I recommend it highly. The app also includes articles on sustainability efforts with actionable steps you can take and links for carbon offsetting. 

The world has never felt scarier to be in, but there is a lot of good that is happening too. 

Good news just doesn’t sell as well. 

This means we have to work a little harder to find the good being done and work a little harder to do good ourselves. 

The world is changing, slowly, and I truly believe that we can work together to continue being able to keep calling this planet our home.

The news will have you believing the situation is hopeless, but don’t fall for their trap, because I promise you it isn’t. 

Science and technology are developing new solutions constantly, and in the meantime the momentum for social change is building. 

Once social norms shift, everything else will follow. 

Thank you for reading this newsletter, I hope it inspired you, and if it did, please share it with your circle of friends so that it can inspire more:)

Keep Journeying Everyone :)

Citations: 

tdus. (2019, June 27). Cows and Climate Change. UC Davis. https://www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/making-cattle-more-sustainable

Ritchie, H., Rosado, P., & Roser, M. (2023, December 28). CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions?insight=human-greenhouse-gas-emissions-have-increased-global-average-temperatures#key-insights

Ritchie, H., Rosado, P., & Roser, M. (2024, January 5). Breakdown of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions by sector. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector

‌Climate Change - NASA Science. (2023, June 16). Nasa.gov. https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/

Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. (2021). Ipcc.ch; IPCC. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/

Commons. (2024). Thecommons.earth. https://www.thecommons.earth/

Global Warming of 1.5 oC —. (2017). Ipcc.ch; Global Warming of 1.5 oC. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/