"We've made some huge gains since that first Earth Day, but virtually all our progress has been local and regional. The Earth as a whole is in worse shape today than 35 years ago....We have had 35 more years of greenhouse gases, 35 more years of nuclear waste piling up, 35 more years of habitat loss and species extinction, 35 more years of population growth."
--Denis Hayes, First Earth Day organizer and WRI Board Member
This Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day, a reminder of our responsibility as global citizens to stay informed of environmental issues and act in ways that will protect natural resources for future generations.
In 1970, over 20 million people participated in the first Earth Day, reflecting international concern about the state of the environment. Since then, many countries have succeeded in removing toxic chemicals from waterways, recycling a larger percentage of materials post-consumption, and establishing clear standards to govern the health of both air and water. However, with a growing world population and a continued reliance on unsustainable practices, the need for stronger action on environmental issues is more urgent than ever.
This year's Earth Day focuses on climate change, one of the most important challenges facing humanity in this century. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states clearly that "most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities" (IPCC, 2001). The effects of global warming are already observable in many physical and biological systems (see the WRI Issue Brief, Climate Science 2005: Major New Discoveries for more information). Unless individuals, industries, and governments drastically alter their actions, climate change may result in unprecedented consequences such as increased storm frequency, prolonged droughts, mass extinctions, rapid sea level rise, and disease outbreaks.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions. The dramatic rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions over the 20th and early 21st centuries is due primarily to the anthropogenic burning of fossil fuels. The release of CO2 and other greenhouse gases has intensified the heating of the earth's atmosphere. Sources & Notes: WRI estimates based on IEA, 2004; EIA, 2004; Marland et al., 2005; and BP, 2005. Emissions include fossil fuel combustion, cement manufacture, and gas flaring. From Navigating the Numbers (Baumert et al., 2005). Available online through the Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (http://cait.wri.org) website.
The implications of climate change are harrowing, yet some governments around the world have chosen to remain inactive on this issue.
The Kyoto Protocol.This map depicts the countries that have ratified or signed the Kyoto Protocol as of June, 2005. The Kyoto Protocol requires participating countries to reduce their emissions of CO2 and five other greenhouse gases. It entered into force on February 16th, 2005. Sources & Notes: UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). 2003, List of Signatories & Ratification of the Convention as of June 2003. Bonn, Germany:UNFCCC.
Still, a number of individuals, local communities, and national governments are taking steps to reduce contributions to the climate change problem. Concerned individuals can act by obtaining information about climate change and sharing it with others. A knowledgeable global community can critically assess the climate change problem and work towards viable solutions. A series of Fact Sheets about climate change created by the Earth Day Network are useful starting points for learning about climate change, and EarthTrends' extensive climate and atmosphere database can be used to broaden understanding of a variety of climate indicators, as well as their relation to social and economic issues.
An understanding of how our individual actions impact the climate can then guide daily choices, such as how much to drive, what to eat, how much water and energy to use, what products to buy, and whether to recycle. These decisions can collectively influence businesses and governments to make environmentally-responsible decisions. The Earth Day Network offers a list of 10 actions you can take right now to combat climate change; these range from moderating home heating and switching light bulbs, to investing in renewable energy and purchasing a hybrid or highly fuel efficient vehicle. Many of these actions can also save money.
Climate change is an international problem, resulting from the sum of individual human actions. It will require technological-, economic-, and policy-based solutions as well as a change in societal decisionmaking that can start at an individual level. EarthTrends shares the Earth Day Network's commitment to promoting environmental stewardship and believes in information's powerful role in making responsible decisions.
Happy Earth Day!
CLIMATE CHANGE LINKS
Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT), WRI
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
http://www.fightglobalwarming.com
Climate Change from the BBC Weather Centre
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