Solutions to The Climate Change Crisis in Europe
Rising temperatures and emissions threaten Europe’s climate, but there are solutions that, if carried out properly, can save the continent from crisis
By Amirali Banani | January 25, 2024
Scope of The Issue
Climate change is arguably the most pressing issue of the 21st century, and, as one of the world’s most powerful intergovernmental organizations, the European Union must not only save Europe from this crisis but lead the entire world to keep rising global temperatures within the threshold of 1.5º Celsius. If this crisis continues untouched, cities such as Venice and even entire countries like the Netherlands will go underwater.
These trends and their outcomes are not inevitable. Sudden, unexpected changes, such as an energy crisis or the emergence of new technology may lead the future of climate change in Europe in either the right or wrong direction.
Different scenarios might arise if trends currently projected for Europe — such as Eastern European integration and ongoing economic growth — are not realized. Governments, businesses and other actors in the region may lead the way to a completely new and unprecedented path that many would have not predicted. In any situation, the EU must take immediate action to focus on the sustainability of Europe and help end the climate crisis. Many may think that environmentally, Europe is doing better than other parts of the world. However, according to the UK’s National Centre for Atmospheric Science, Europe has been warming significantly faster than the global average. However, I believe that the EU could lead the way in fighting this crisis even more effectively if more countries in the region are incorporated into the organization.
Dangers of Climate Change
Climate change is likely to increase the frequency of flooding across Europe in the coming years. Heavy rainstorms are projected to become more common and intense due to higher temperatures, with flash floods expected to become ever more frequent across Europe.
In late June and July of 2019, there were two distinct European heat waves, which set all-time high-temperature records in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. This devastating heat wave is estimated to have killed 70,000 people in Europe and serves as an alert signalling an urgent need to limit escalating global temperatures caused most prominently by rising greenhouse gas levels.
Accelerating economic activity and fossil fuel combustion over the last century have precipitated an environmental impact of unprecedented proportions in Europe. Ecosystem decline, loss of biodiversity, stratospheric ozone depletion, and of course, climate change, are just a few of these environmental changes. A rise in pollution levels can lead to a rise in infectious diseases like COVID-19 which we just had, a lack of resources due to a lack of crops caused by a decrease in soil fertility, more acidic freshwater which results in less clean drinkable water, and, ultimately, a decline in average human lifespan.
Solutions
Solution Proposal #1
The most important solution to solving climate change in Europe is binding national commitments to reduce emissions. By joining forces between nations, Europe can combine its efforts and solve the issue of climate change more effectively. However, many problems must be addressed first, such as the reliance on fossil fuels. Countries such as Poland rely heavily on fossil fuels, with a high value of their income generated by the energy sector. Therefore, a solution that also considers the transition to renewable energy production in countries such as Poland must be developed because, as the European Union, every member state should be considered.
Solution Proposal #2
The cap-and-trade program known as the European Union’s Emission Trading System could play a vital role in fighting global warming. This multinational organization is the largest greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme in the world and forms a major pillar of the EU energy policy.
By integrating more countries into the European Union, the alliance can add even more power and expand its capabilities to develop more cost-effective solutions to climate change. Such solutions may include the proposition of strict environmental policies by governments, the transition to renewable energy production, sustainable transportation, and the reformation of recycling systems.
Solution Proposal #3
The support of Europe’s renewable energy and energy-efficient industries can encourage more companies and organizations around the continent to adopt more environmentally friendly policies and, in the case of manufacturers, develop more efficient and low-emission manufacturing methods. This is a crucial step towards accomplishing the goal of carbon neutrality, which the European Union plans to achieve by 2050.
The integration of Eastern European countries into the European Union, one of my main roles is advocating for environmental protection in Eastern Europe. These include making reforms to the energy sector and various industries such as the transportation industry by creating plans for transitioning to renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% in the next decade. Furthermore, the governments of not only the Eastern European countries but countries all around Europe should impose heavy fines on individuals who are seen littering or deliberately polluting the environment in any other way, which, as we know, only worsens the situation.
European Green Deal
Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, Europe needs a new growth strategy that will transform the Union into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy, where
- Economic growth is decoupled from resource use
2. There will be zero net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050
3. No person and no place is left behind
The European Green Deal is the plan to make the EU’s economy sustainable. Its goal is to turn climate and environmental challenges into opportunities and make the transition just and inclusive for all. These goals require a lot of investment and effort to achieve, and the most prominent objective which is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 or earlier takes on a diverse range of complex aspects such as the implementation of strict policies addressing the polluting of the environment, the transition to renewable modes of energy production, and reforming recycling systems.
Waste Levels in Europe
Research conducted by The Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research shows that high waste levels in particular play a significant role in environmental pollution in Europe.
Policy choices can play a key role in shaping consumption and production patterns as well as waste levels. For example, the implementation of national plans as a response to EU legislation for environmental pollution could lead to a significant reduction in levels of waste if designed in more innovative ways. Countries would experience greater implementation costs to manage the waste with these national plans, however, the European Union can support them financially in this situation for the sake of environmental protection.
Recycling Waste
Another part of making reforms for the sake of environmental protection includes recycling waste. Statistics show that currently, the amount of plastic packaging waste recycled in Europe is 40–50% on average. Recycling rates can be increased by reducing landfill waste, especially in Eastern European countries, and this includes promoting the use of reusable materials in packaging products, producing guidelines that address citizens to contribute by reducing food waste, donating clothes, eating healthier, reducing packaging, and of course, recycling all the time. As an advocate for the accession of Eastern Europe into the EU, since Eastern European countries are generally less developed than their Western counterparts, I believe that by integrating these nations into the European Union, they can be supported in implementing their industrial reforms for the sake of more efficient and sustainable energy production, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and ultimately, a better climate for the entire continent.
