SOME FACTS
WATER
Five minutes of running water uses the same amount of energy that is needed to power a 60-watt light bulb for 14 hours
Baths take up twice as much energy as showers
Bottled water consumes 2000 times more energy than tap water
Emissions created by the annual production of bottled water are equivalent to pollution caused by 160 barrels of oil
MOVE
The transport sector is responsible for 15% of the global CO2 emissions
Airplanes are held accountable for 5% of global CO2 emissions
Cars are the source of 75% of CO2 emissions and are the cause of 50-90% of air pollution
One flight between New York and California equal 20% of greenhouse-gas emissions your car produces in an entire year
LIFESTYLE
The fashion industry accounts for 10% global carbon emissions
One cotton shirt requires the same amount of water you drink in two-and-a-half years
85% of your clothes end in landfills and incinerators
Your mobile phone causes the same amount of emissions as the production of 22 kilograms of beef
FOOD
Food we eat is responsible for over 33% of our global carbon footprint
Over 51% of greenhouse-gas emissions are caused by animal agriculture
It takes 44 grams of beef to produce 1 kilogram of greenhouse gas
Beef followed by lamb and pork have the largest carbon footprint in the food industry
By going vegan you save 829 000 litres of water
THE PROBLEM
Global Climatic Change is a process, which characterizes the rapid, radical shifts in our global environment and poses many threats to our future. It is a mark of a new climatic era posterior to the last ice age ending 7,000 years ago. It is unprecedented in the rate by which it advances and the significant proof of human involvement.
The fact that it is taking place is nearly undisputable. Generally, scientists point to the rise in sea level, decrease of arctic ice mass, a historic high of CO2 emissions in the air and finally the rise in temperature as proof of climate change.
Moreover, 97% of environmental scientists have achieved consensus that Climate change is at least partly a result of human contribution as the process of change in the world’s climate is very different from those of the past, which could be caused solely by external involvement.
These scientists claim that prior to this climatic era, changes were caused primarily by some sort of an alternation in the earth’s orbit around the sun or by an alternation in the energetic output of the sun, which resulted in a change in climate all through the earth and the atmosphere. Whereas, today the changes are caused by accumulation of the suns energy within the atmosphere as the rise in gas concentration in the atmosphere prevent it to escape, thus achieving what is called call the “greenhouse effect”. In practicality, this is shown by warming at the surface and cooling in the stratosphere and a change in climate without a corresponding change in the energetic input to the Earth.
With the evidence laid out, it is imperative that one realizes the potential effects and threats such a change poses. It is estimated that the main issue will be the increase of scale, frequency and magnitude of dangerous climatic events, including storms, heat waves, hurricanes and droughts. Moreover, sea levels are expected to rise and arctic ice to diminish, thus inevitably destroying the natural habitats of many species of the animal kingdom. Lastly, temperatures are expected to continue rising, which could be devastating for certain areas on our planet.
Increase in sea hight over time
Decrease in the mass of arctic ice
Global levels of CO2
How much of these things do you do in your daily life ? Did you even realize that the amount of CO2 produced by the creation of your favourite burger is equivalent to a 20 minute car drive ?
Enjoying a good beef meal on less frequent occasions or drinking tap instead of bottled water helps the environment more than you would ever imagine. If each and every one of us takes small conscious steps in this direction in a few years time we will see the significant impact of our actions on the environment. You play a very if not the most important role in a much greater cause. Without you we can never reach our goal.