Global Efforts and Innovations in the Fight Against Climate Change

KAKALI DAS

Over the past two decades, our planet has faced colossal wildfires, devastating floods, severe droughts, and destructive hurricanes.

The 2010s were declared the warmest decade on record, and global temperatures continue to rise. In 2023, the Earth experienced its hottest year yet, with global average near-surface temperatures reaching 1.45°C above the pre-industrial baseline.

This figure is deeply concerning, as scientists worldwide have determined that we must limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C to mitigate its impacts and avoid catastrophic consequences of climate change.

It’s not all doom and gloom as we confront one of the most critical questions of our time: Can we truly stop climate change?

Global Efforts and Innovations in the Fight Against Climate Change — In 2023, the Earth experienced its hottest year yet….

While 2023 was the hottest year on record, it also marked a significant milestone in renewable energy, with global capacity surging by 50% to an impressive 510 gigawatts. This figure is more than three times the electricity generation capacity of Canada. It represents the highest growth rate in two decades, showcasing humanity’s increasing commitment to making our planet habitable for future generations.

A promising trend driving these efforts forward is ocean-based renewable energy. This category, which includes offshore wind, floating solar, and tidal power, has the potential to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3.6 gigatons by 2050. To put that into perspective, it’s equivalent to the total emissions of all 27 European Union member states in 2022 combined.

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While onshore wind farms are more prevalent, offshore wind farming has the potential to deliver even greater results. The reason is straightforward: ocean winds blow with stronger force, at lower altitudes, and much more consistently than winds on land. Offshore wind farming is gaining significant attention in the fight against climate change, and it’s exciting to witness the growing adoption of this green technology.

A remarkable example of offshore wind farming is the Hornsea Wind Farm, located 120 kilometers off the East Coast of England in the North Sea. Currently, it comprises two operational projects, with two more under development. Operational since 2019, the Hornsea Wind Farm boasts a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts, enough to power over a million homes in the United Kingdom. Its fleet of 174 turbines spans an ocean area of 407 square kilometers—nearly four times the size of Florence, Italy.

Hornsea 2, the second phase of the project, began operations on August 31, 2022, and currently holds the title of the world’s largest offshore wind farm. With a capacity of 1.38 gigawatts, it can supply electricity to over 1.4 million UK homes.

Hornsea 3 is set to more than double this output, adding another 3.3 million homes to the service grid, while Hornsea 4 has already received approval. With numerous offshore wind farms under development worldwide, this represents a significant victory for green energy as we work to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

To make a meaningful impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial for as many countries as possible to unite and commit to combating climate change. This underscores the growing focus on the drafting, signing, and implementation of international agreements.

In 2015, 196 parties worldwide came together to adopt the Paris Agreement, a landmark legally binding international treaty. Its primary goal is to help nations adapt and mobilize resources to keep global temperatures below the critical 1.5°C threshold. While the Paris Agreement is a significant step toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, its success largely depends on each country honoring its commitments and implementing greener practices across all applicable sectors.

To hold countries, companies, and even individuals accountable for their contribution to climate change, scientists and activists have been advocating for the global adoption of an environmental law known as Ecocide. The term was first coined in the 1970s in response to the United States’ devastating Agent Orange attack in Vietnam, an event that resulted in the destruction of millions of acres of forests and farmland.

In 2021, global lawyers from the organization Stop Ecocide International defined the legal term as “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment resulting from those acts.”

The destruction of the Amazon rainforest under former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is widely considered a case of Ecocide, as is the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The good news is that the European Union recently passed a vote to criminalize serious cases of environmental damage “comparable to Ecocide.” Under this new directive, those responsible for environmental destruction, including CEOs and board members of liable companies, will face harsher penalties and prison sentences of up to 10 years.

In the past, individuals and corporations could often shield themselves behind permits issued to them, but under this new directive, that will no longer be the case. EU members now have two years to implement this law at the national level. Another positive development we’re witnessing globally is the rise of green architecture in the building and construction sectors, promoting more eco-friendly practices.

According to the United Nations, the construction industry is responsible for a staggering 37% of global emissions. This is why there is an increasing emphasis on green construction standards. Building materials such as cement, steel, and aluminum have a significant carbon footprint. To reduce this impact, we now have codes and rating systems designed to guide the development and construction of environmentally sustainable buildings.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world’s most widely recognized green building rating system, with approximately 197,000 projects across 186 countries. Rating systems like LEED help ensure the reduction of emissions, the protection of water resources, the use of sustainable materials, and the preservation of biodiversity.

A notable example of a green construction project in progress is the 270 Park Avenue project, also known as the new JP Morgan Chase building in New York City. This 60-story skyscraper will become the largest all-electric tower with net-zero operational emissions upon its completion in 2025.

The Union Carbide Building, which once stood on the premises, was demolished in 2021, and an impressive 97% of the original building materials were reused to construct the new high-rise. The facility will be surrounded by natural green spaces for both workers and the local community to enjoy, and it will be entirely powered by renewable energy, thanks to New York’s hydroelectric power plants.

Additionally, the building will feature advanced water storage and reuse systems designed to reduce water usage by over 40%, as well as automatic solar shades linked to the building’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems to enhance energy efficiency.

Another effective way to reduce carbon emissions is through carbon storage, and nature does this in a completely natural way—it’s truly remarkable. Studies have shown that forests can capture and store CO2 at twice the rate they emit, which is why reforestation efforts are gaining significant momentum. Depleted forests around the world are being rejuvenated, and one such project in Africa has already restored over 41,000 hectares of land.

The project, called Trees for the Future, has been planting tens of millions of trees every year since its inception in 2015. The initiative spans across Africa, from Senegal in the west to Kenya in the east. The progress has been so successful that the campaign now aims to plant a billion trees by 2030.

An exciting initiative running alongside Trees for the Future is the African Union’s “Great Green Wall.” This ambitious program aims to create an 8,000-kilometer belt of vegetation spanning 22 African countries, across the Sahel region. The goal of this magnificent green wall is to restore healthy ecosystems and prevent the Sahara Desert from expanding as the climate continues to warm and dry.

While the project is still underway, it has already inspired rural restoration efforts across many of these countries. The United Nations estimates that an astonishing 18 million hectares of degraded land—more than twice the size of Ireland—has been restored with climate-resilient vegetation, increased biodiversity, and healthier farmlands.

In addition to natural solutions, there is also ongoing research into more technical approaches for removing CO2 from the environment. One such method is Carbon Capture. While the most effective way to reduce CO2 emissions is to stop burning fossil fuels, carbon capture can help remove this climate-healing gas from the atmosphere. Through this process, CO2 can be stored and trapped underground, preventing it from leaking back into the air.

An inspiring project in Iceland currently implementing this technology is Mammoth. Known as the world’s largest plant designed to capture CO2 from the air, Mammoth became operational in May this year. According to its Swiss-based company, Climeworks, Mammoth is expected to capture around 36,000 tons of carbon per year at full capacity. This is roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of about 8,000 gas-powered cars.

Mammoth utilizes a technology known as direct air capture (DAC), which relies on chemical reactions to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. When air comes into contact with chemicals in liquid solvents and solid sorbents, they react and trap CO2, while the rest of the air passes through. Heat is then applied to separate the CO2 from the solvents or sorbents, allowing the chemicals to be reused for further capture. The captured carbon is then injected into underground rock formations for permanent storage.

Scientists estimate that the Earth’s geological storage potential for CO2 is three times greater than all the greenhouse gases emitted since the Industrial Revolution. In 2022 alone, the CO2 capture capacity of the 194 global carbon capture facilities increased to 244 million tons per year. While this is still a small fraction of total emissions, an increasing number of projects like Mammoth are being planned and developed.

Whether these measures will be sufficient to limit global warming remains uncertain, and there’s no denying that extreme weather is already upon us. Given this undeniable reality, countries are exploring ways to adapt more effective strategies and better protect their citizens.

Communities are working closely with their governments to reduce the risk of wildfires, coastal regions are preparing defences against rising sea levels, and early warning systems are being implemented globally to protect those vulnerable to extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Yes, there is definitely significant progress being made in our existential fight against climate change. However, we are still confronted with major challenges, particularly concerning the ongoing use of fossil fuels. This is why greater collaboration and accountability are crucial, as environmental responsibilities are not yet shared equally among the world’s countries, both in terms of policies and actions.

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