As the United Nations tells the world the planet has entered a new era of “global boiling“, what does the term mean and how will it affect life in the near future?
July 6 is reported to have been the hottest day on Earth since mean global temperatures were first calculated in 1979, reaching an average temperature of 17.18ºC, data from the US Centres for Environmental Prediction indicates.
‘It is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and avoid the very worst of climate change.
‘But only with dramatic, immediate climate action. Leaders must lead. No more hesitancy. No more excuses. No more waiting for others to move first. There is simply no more time for that.’
Guterres addressed leaders from the UN Food and Agriculture Agency’s summit on food systems in Rome. Metro
He warned of ‘unbreathable’ air and ‘unbearable’ temperatures to come, adding that the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is ‘inacceptable’.
‘For scientists, it is unequitable – humans are to blame. The only surprise is the speed of the change,’ Guterres added.
After weeks of record temperatures, extreme weather and fires sweeping across large parts of Europe, his words laid bare how close the planet is to catastrophe.
He stressed collective action is needed – ‘not despair’ – to stop ‘the worst’ that is yet to come.
According to the Climate Change Institute, the average global air temperature has risen from 16.25ºC on July 25 from 1979 to 2000, to 17.14ºC on July 25 this year.
July is on course to become the hottest month since records began.
Global boiling is a very critical issue that requires serious and practical solutions to mitigate its impact. While it’s important to approach this problem with scientific rigor, creativity can also play a role in generating innovative ideas to tackle the challenges associated with climate change. Here are 10 creative ideas that, when combined with scientific research and practicality, could contribute to combating global warming:
- Carbon-Negative Infrastructure: Design and construct buildings and infrastructure that actively remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than they produce during their entire lifecycle. This could involve using sustainable materials, implementing carbon capture technologies, and incorporating green roofs and vertical gardens.
- Oceanic Algae Farms: Establish large-scale algae farms in the oceans to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Algae are highly effective at sequestering CO2 and can also be used as a renewable source of biofuels or even as a food source.
- Space-Based Solar Power: Set up solar power stations in space that capture sunlight continuously and transmit the energy to Earth using microwaves or lasers. This could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make solar energy more accessible and efficient.
- Carbon-Eating Nanobots: Develop and deploy tiny robots or nanobots designed to seek out and capture carbon dioxide molecules in the atmosphere. These nanobots could be powered by renewable energy and store the captured carbon in a stable form.
- Cloud Whitening: Investigate the possibility of using drones or other means to disperse seawater particles into the atmosphere, increasing cloud cover and reflecting more sunlight back into space, thus cooling the planet.
- Urban Greening: Promote the creation of more urban green spaces, vertical gardens, and rooftop gardens in cities to help absorb CO2, reduce the urban heat island effect, and enhance biodiversity.
- Smart Agriculture: Implement precision agriculture techniques that optimize the use of resources like water and fertilizers, reducing emissions from farming activities and enhancing carbon sequestration in soil.
- Floating Cities: Design and build floating cities that are self-sustaining and rely on renewable energy sources. By taking advantage of the ocean’s vastness, these cities could be designed with eco-friendly principles and potentially reduce land-based emissions.
- Carbon Offsetting through Eco-Tourism: Encourage eco-tourism in areas with high ecological value to generate funds that can be used for conservation efforts, reforestation, and other climate-friendly projects.
- Climate Change Education: Develop engaging and interactive educational programs to raise awareness about climate change and inspire people to take action, encouraging behavioral changes that collectively contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
It’s essential to approach creative ideas with scientific scrutiny and consider potential unintended consequences. Combining creativity with practicality and scientific research can help us find effective solutions to combat global warming and build a sustainable future.
