The heat is off the charts in many parts of the world. Wildlife is dying, plants, and people are succumbing to the heat. Countries are running out of water. When can we sit down and honestly talk about the fact that we are killing our planet. This is not some simple heat increase due to natural fluctuations. The heat is due to our negative impact.
Over 1,000 people have died on their pilgrimage to Mecca this year due to the heat.
Those who work outdoors are at significant risk of dying from heat stroke.
Battles over water are occurring in many countries and between countries like the US and Mexico.
We are going to have to make some major sacrifices in order to save what we have not already destroyed and polluted.
Cars, airplanes, and ships are going to have to go. We need walkable cities and we need to restrict traveling to what a major life event and that is all. The only ships that should be permitted would be for trade and they should be reverted to solar or sail over motorized. As for cars, we need a public transportation system and walkable cities. There are easy solutions to these problems, but it takes a sacrifice from government and the public to achieve these solutions. If we want this planet to continue, we are going to have to make these changes in our lifetime or there will be nothing left.
What can you do right now to help?
Do your best to not use plastics. This is hard but we all need to move away from them and urge companies to package their products differently.
Never use herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, and rodenticides. This is putting deadly chemicals into the earth and these toxic chemicals are killing off important pollinators, poisoning groundwater, polluting waterways, killing birds and other wildlife, and causing cancer in humans.
Do not use AI. AI requires a huge amount of water and energy.
Try to not use your AC too much. This might sound odd when the planet is heating up to try to not use the AC, but the more AC that is used, the more the planet will heat up. At some point it will all come to a head, so not using AC or using alternative sources like the heat pump or a whole house fan. One suggestion is also to add better insulation, windows, and window coverings to your house to retain the cool and hold it in better.
Stop flying. Stick to car trips for vacations and enjoy where you live. Use Zoom for business meetings.
Eat a vegetarian or vegan diet. Cows require too much water for their feed and they destroy the land. Not just that but their waste is significant on major farms and causes issues to local ecosystems.
Vote for candidates that are dedicated to protecting the environment and also human rights. We need people in power that will not let companies profit matter more than protecting nature and human rights.
If your town has public transportation, utilize it and give up the car. If your city is bike friendly, hop on the bike.
Rip out that grass and plant some native plants that thrive in your area. You will save water and have a stunning garden. Let it grow and let it be wild. Animals and insects need your assistance here as they are losing their ecosystems to development. This is a win all around.
Lessen your purchases overall. Consumerism is a driving force for the destruction of nature because those resources are needed to create products, but the trash created from that purchase is signifiant from the production and then to what we receive and discard. Most trash does not break down if it is not organic so these items will just rot and continue to pollute. If you have old clothes, sell them or donate them. If you need clothes, look into second-hand stores before you buy or buy from environmentally friendly stores like Patagonia. Same thing goes for electronic devices. Only buy if it is needed because the old device is beyond repair.
Put that effort that you put into what you love. If nature goes, those things you love will sadly disappear too. Imagine it too hot to play sports or enjoy a concert. Everything is changing and we have to be adaptable and realistic.
If we make these changes now, our planet might have a chance.
Articles for reference. Please read and share.
The Guardian: More than 1,000 hajj pilgrims die amid temperatures approaching 52C in Mecca
CNN: A water war is looming between Mexico and the US. Neither side will win
The Washington Post: Don’t crank down your thermostat when it’s hot out. Do this instead.
Wired: Everything’s About to Get a Hell of a Lot More Expensive Due to Climate Change