But Climate Changes Naturally!
Several months ago, a group at Vizzuality started the Sustainability Initiative. We meet every two weeks to discuss sustainability, covering topics from within the company to beyond. It’s a space open to everyone in the company and serves as a place to share expertise, interests and ideas.
In our most recent meeting, one of our scientists, Ángel Arcones, led a discussion on human-induced climate change, debunking the myth that the climate crisis we’re facing is simply a cycle of “natural climate change”.
Some of the most commonly cited climate change cycles to back this myth are the Roman Warm Period, Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age. None of which look at the global picture. Compared to the industrial age spike, it’s a no-brainer that what we’re experiencing is unnatural.
The climate crisis is not about ‘just a few degrees’ but rather the rate at which temperatures increase. The last time global temperature increased this much spanned 15,000–20,000 years. This is referred to as the last interglacial period, a period of warming that intersects a glacial epoch (see the graph and description below). The rate of temperature change in a glacial period goes across thousands of years. So although they pose challenges to species and ecosystems, for example, going from an ice age to a warmed world, the great length of time allows species and ecosystems to adapt to their changing reality.
In comparison, we’re facing a temperature increase of 1.1°C in only 150 years. This has already led to societal and ecological impacts being felt around the world, from floods and droughts to specie extinction Countries in the Global South experience this the most, despite having contributed the least to the climate crisis.
What we’re experiencing is climate chaos, not climate change.
Near-future projections range from ‘good’ news (thanks to rapid decarbonisation; 1.5°C — 2°C)* to ‘far from good news’ (thanks to business as usual; 4.8°C). Even our best-case scenario brings significant challenges, yet is incomprehensibly better than the path we’re currently on.
* Limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, committed to by the Paris Agreement, is now considered almost out of reach. Aiming for below 2°C is regarded as the best-case scenario, despite the +0.5°C resulting in considerably worse impacts.
The crux of the story; humanity has not experienced ecosystem collapse at a global scale. Nor have we had to deal with the societal fallout that would come with it. Global warming fundamentally changes the ecosystems we rely on for food, water, air, materials; everything. When you hear scientists, politicians and activists referring to “unprecedented times”, this is what they mean. Chaos and collapse, not change.
“We’re doomed. Why bother”
Even for sustainability folk, discussing climate science is a hard-hitting reality check. I’d be lying if I said the doom detonator didn’t cross my mind at least once while listening to the presentation or writing this blog. We’re not doomed. We’ve still got time, but the window for effective action is closing. Therefore, we urgently need to stabilise earth systems. Here is a short, sweet list of priorities to get us started:
- Reduce emissions
- Conserve and restore biodiversity
- Ensure societal, economic and political systems work with nature, not against it
Every organisation, institution and individual has a role in stabilising our world to give humanity the best shot at survival. From the academics, NGOs and activists have been pioneering the climate and environmental movement for so long. Keep going. There’s power in numbers, and you know we’re growing. To the organisations, governments and societies that have contributed significantly to the crisis — we need you. We need to work together towards a stable future across movements, sectors and societies. It’s our only shot. Let’s take it.
Please let me know if you enjoyed hearing my reflection on the climate science talk within our sustainability initiative. We want to share more of what goes on within the inner working of Vizz, so we are always happy to hear your thoughts and feedback. If you want to start a sustainability initiative within your workplace, please do reach out. I would love to chat!
A special thanks to Ángel Arcones for all the effort that went into preparing and delivering the two sessions that formed the basis for this blog.
