The SDGs Cities Challenge combines the best of both design and execution. This scheme allows local municipalities to connect with other peers via online discussions in real time about the future of their cities and our children. The SDGs Cities Challenge is worth a look, whether you're a resident of one of these great metropolises, or just visiting one. You will be motivated, inspired, and rewarded. In the process, you will become part of a community of like minded individuals who are en route to making the world a better place. One such city is Melbourne, Australia, where the Banksia Foundation is helping a city rethink its reliance on fossil fuels. This includes a new initiative to find clean, renewable sources for energy.
The city also tried out a pilot program that introduced students to the advantages of sustainable design. The lessons learned from these pilot programs will hopefully be integrated into the school's formal curriculum next year. Visit the SDGs City Challenge page if your are in Melbourne. The site will provide a list with a few names of participating cities. While you are there, consider attending the upcoming SDGs city symposium. The symposium will include discussions on the future cities as well as presentations by city representatives (including the banksia foundation). Besides, there is also the possibility of winning some very nice prizes. Among them, a grand prize for the best city submission.
The site also houses the world's premier virtual ABP Symposium. The Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning hosted and featured a great lineup of presenters.
FAQ
What causes climate change?
Climate change is a worldwide phenomenon caused by an increase of human-generated greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere. This is mainly due to fossil fuel burning for power and transportation. These emissions cause more of the sun's warmth to be trapped in Earth's atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures.
Climate change is also caused in part by human population growth, the destruction and clearing of ecosystems, energy consumption and overgrazing. This reduces the amount of carbon sinks naturally found in the atmosphere that absorb CO2. Climate change can also come from natural forces, such as changes in solar energy.
These human activities together result in Earth experiencing an overloading of its energy budget. This has caused an average global rise of 1° Celsius over pre-industrial time. Glaciers are melting faster than they become and sea levels are rising as the oceans absorb most of the heat energy. Other adverse consequences include water shortages and droughts as well as extreme weather events, such as flooding and hurricanes, which are often caused by heavy rains on soils.
To protect ourselves from further damage, it is essential for us to reduce our carbon footprint and start curbing our emissions now so that we have a fighting chance against the already significant impacts of climate change. It is vital to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels for electricity production. Additionally, invest in renewable resources such as solar panels or wind turbines. These sources are not harmful to the environment. You can also restore some balance in these delicate cycles of the planets that sustain us, such as reforestation.
What are the current international efforts to combat climate change?
The current international climate change effort is characterized by unprecedented unity and momentum. Countries around the world are increasingly collaborating on ways to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience against impacts, and invest in renewable energy sources.
The Paris Agreement, which has galvanized global action and provides a framework for countries to establish voluntary targets to reduce their emissions, serves as a framework. Additionally, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is providing political guidance and piloting new initiatives such as carbon market mechanisms.
Other regions are seeing progress. The European Green Deal is a comprehensive legislation package that seeks to create a European economy with sustainability as its core. Countries on the African continent also have committed to The African Renewable Energy Initiative, which aims increase Africa's participation in global renewable energy production.
In addition to policy developments, action can be seen across sectors and industries; cities are actively transitioning toward sustainable public transport systems while society as a whole is embracing more sustainable lifestyles; companies are innovating technologies that drive down emissions while investors are reallocating their capital away from fossil fuels towards renewables.
The OECD committee's wealthy members have adopted common standards in reporting on national actions related to climate change. These are the Common Reporting Frameworks (CFR), also known as the 2021 Guidelines.
These efforts signify a new level of importance for climate action. If we are to meet the Climate goals as set out by science and enshrined into international law, governments, civil society, and private sector stakeholders must all continue to build on this momentum.
What does climate change politics have to do with global efforts to combat it?
Climate change is highly politicized and has caused division between governments, individuals, and nations. The implementation of measures to address climate change is affected by the political stances of various actors. It has become difficult to find consensus on global efforts to tackle this pressing environmental crisis.
A majority of scientists agree that climate change caused by humans is real and must be addressed immediately. The politics surrounding these issues often undermines global cooperation which is needed to make effective progress in implementing sustainable energy practices, upholding regulations protecting natural habitats, researching viable technological solutions, and other climate change interventions.
Most governments are eager to protect their business interests and enforce rules that will limit business activity as much as possible. This is often in conflict with the regulations experts recommend to combat climate change. Without strong commitments by all countries involved and large-scale international action it is difficult for any state or group to adequately address climate changes through legislation.
Differences in power dynamics among countries further complicate gaining full consensus on how best to tackle climate change. Countries with more economic power may appoint themselves to be represented on international bodies for negotiations about the environment. This can lead the to divisive discussions between the countries' interests and the collective interest. In addition, potential side effects from implementing radical changes such as geoengineering have been debated heavily at both national and international levels.
A grassroots movement has also struggled against powerful opposition, including corporate ownerships as well-funded lobbyists trying to keep their industries politically favorable. This is especially true when it comes funding research into alternative energy production and enforcing mandates for renewable energy technology. Individual governments need to be clear about the potential rewards and outcomes of making valid progress on the issue. They cannot seek short-term spectacles or gains to gain public support.
Properly distributing resources allocated towards any intervention program while being mindful of political divisions between nations will be critical if any coordinated effort aimed at mitigating our current environmental crisis is going successfully to come to fruition.
Statistics
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- This source accounts for about 10% of all the water that enters this highly productive farmland, including rivers and rain. (climate.nasa.gov)
- According to the 2014 report on Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (page 8) from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, governments at various levels are also getting better at adaptation. (climate.nasa.gov)
- Fossil fuel production must decline by roughly 6 percent per year between 2020 and 2030. (un.org)
- The 100 least-emitting countries generate 3 per cent of total emissions. (un.org)
External Links
How To
How to Invest in Clean Energy, and Support the Transition to Low-Carbon Future
Clean energy is renewable energy that doesn't emit greenhouse gases or produce polluting emissions. It encompasses technologies like solar photovoltaics and wind power. Clean energy sources offer many environmental benefits. These include a reduction in dependence on fossil fuels, reduced air pollution from traditional electricity methods, and more reliable access to remote areas.
Shares in companies developing innovative technologies in clean energy can be purchased by investors. This could include investing in mutual funds, stocks that are publicly traded, or ETFs (exchange-traded fund) that deal with renewable energy. To fund research and development in clean energy technologies, investors can also make direct investments in venture capital or start-ups.
Investors who invest in clean energy are supporting innovation that helps reduce harmful emissions from traditional sources of electricity generation. This investment may also lead to increased economic development by creating jobs related to the production of renewable energy systems that require skilled labor and engineers. Lastly, investing in clean energy can bring investors a financial return through tax incentives programs that encourage investments into green technologies, such as wind farms, solar panels, or biomass heat generation systems.
We can make a difference by investing in companies which create cleaner electricity from renewable resources, such as sun, winds, and water. While we are avoiding harmful activities to the environment, it is possible to support the transition toward a low-carbon future.