1. What are the main causes of global warming?
Concretely, what is global warming? It is simply the phenomenon of increasing temperatures that has been happening on Earth for 100 to 150 years. The more the years pass, the more we talk about it and above all, the more we feel the consequences: rising temperatures, increasing droughts, the intensity of storms, warming and rising oceans, loss of biodiversity or even food shortage... And the list continues to grow. Today, 97% of scientists working on this subject believe that the Earth is warming due to human activities. What are they?
The use of fossil fuels
Let's start by explaining what fossil fuels are. There are three types: coal, oil, and gas. Formed by the decomposition of carbon-based organisms that have been buried for millions of years, they create carbon-rich deposits that are extracted and burned to produce energy. This is how so-called “fossil” energy is obtained! They currently provide around 80% of the world's energy and are also used to make plastic, steel, and a wide range of products. Small problem: they are not renewable. When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air. Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere, which fatally causes global warming.
The evolution of deforestation
We talk about deforestation when forest areas are lost. It can be caused by multiple factors; in particular forest fires, diseases that can affect trees or even parasites. However, human activities are the vast majority responsible for global deforestation and therefore indirectly for global warming. In addition to the direct consequences on forest biodiversity and forest soils, deforestation also has a very strong impact on climate change. Indeed, trees store CO2 throughout their lives. By destroying these trees, we therefore reduce the capacity of the global ecosystem to store CO2. Fewer trees mean less CO2 absorbed and therefore more greenhouse effect.
The increase in animal husbandry
Since 1960, meat consumption worldwide has increased by 4 times while the population has “only” doubled. You see us coming: this omnipresence of animal products in the modern diet of developed countries has numerous ecological consequences. Indeed, livestock farming (whether cattle, swine, sheep, poultry or other) requires a large amount of agricultural resources and creates unprecedented pressure on ecosystems. The agricultural land needed for livestock is expanding and represents a threat to biodiversity, but also to the climate. In fact, replacing natural areas such as forests or wild meadows with cultivated areas considerably reduces carbon sinks. Not only does this reduce the number of trees and wild plants in favor of crops that store significantly less carbon, but it also significantly reduces the ability of soils to absorb atmospheric carbon.
2. How can we act to fight climate change?
Now that we have made the diagnosis, let's take action! If you had any doubts, now you are sure: human activity is largely responsible for the global warming we are witnessing today. And it's not just us who say it! The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its fifth assessment report, recognized the existence of climate change and that it was the result of human activities. So if we are responsible for it, we can definitely change the trend! Before becoming climate superheroes, be sure of one thing: ALL actions are polluting because they require energy. The aim is to reduce our carbon footprint and to act for a sustainable future.
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Human activities have caused global greenhouse gas emissions to explode, which has led to a dangerous disruption of the climate. To limit global warming, we would therefore have to halve our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Several ways will allow us to keep warming below the 2°C threshold:
- Give priority to less polluting transport. Transport alone accounts for 31% of greenhouse gas emissions in France. It is the main emitter of CO2 that comes from the combustion of fuels. So, when possible, do not hesitate to use public transport, cycling or even walking rather than by car.
- Eat less meat, more vegetables and eat local. Reducing animal proteins by vegetalizing your diet is not only a question of animal welfare, it is also an effective solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, livestock farming represents 14.5% of GHG emissions!
- Reduce waste, reuse objects and recycle them. The 3 R's principle! We are moving to the circular economy and we are recycling: for each piece of waste, its trash can. Recycling alone can avoid the equivalent of 5% of annual national CO2 emissions!
- Reduce electricity consumption. Properly insulate your home to avoid waste, use renewable energies and LED lamps, turn down your heating, etc. In the midst of a period of energy sobriety, these are small simple actions that can reduce our CO2 emissions, in addition to doing good for your wallet!
Adapting to climate change
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is what we call mitigation actions. However, although they are essential, they are not the only actions possible to limit the impact of global warming. There are also public adaptation policies. The objectives of these are to anticipate the expected impacts of climate change, to limit their possible damage by intervening on the factors that control their extent (for example, the urbanization of risk areas) and to take advantage of potential opportunities. These are actions carried out at the national level. France is one of the most advanced countries in terms of climate change adaptation planning, its plan was published in mid-December 2018.
Awareness and education
The third pillar to limit the impact of global warming is to educate future generations for a sustainable future. Indeed, education is essential to promote climate action. It helps people understand the effects of the climate crisis and to fight against them. How? By giving them the right tools: knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes. These are all essential ingredients to become tomorrow's change agents today. From the first grade to the final year classes, environmental issues are at the heart of the lessons.
3. The role of governments and businesses in the fight against global warming
As you can see, all public and private actors have a role to play in the fight against climate change: individuals, teachers, businesses and governments alike! To do this, regulatory mechanisms exist: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions assessments, territorial planning, extra-financial reporting by companies and investors - or through voluntary commitments. And in concrete terms, how does that happen?
The importance of collaboration between governments and businesses
To link all these actors, businesses have a key role! Indeed, even if they do not all have the same carbon footprint, they must reach the carbon neutrality goals by 2050 set by the signatory countries of the Paris Agreement. It is therefore crucial that businesses also take up the environmental challenge. Whether through citizen duty or constraint on the part of their customers, investors or purely legal. Indeed, since 2012, the French regulator has required companies with more than 500 employees to publish a greenhouse gas emissions report (regulatory BEGES). In addition, since 2015, article 173-VI of the Energy Transition for Green Growth Act (TECV) requires investors to publish the carbon footprint of their portfolio. Investment companies, through their decisions, send a signal to businesses and allow the economy to be oriented towards lower-carbon activities. Moreover, the benefits associated with carbon footprint assessment are not limited to the investment decision. They are essential for deploying engagement strategies for the most committed investors who seek to promote best practices within their investment portfolio and encourage companies to reduce their CO₂ emissions.
Sustainable corporate initiatives to fight global warming
According to a recent barometer, 75% of employees of large companies would feel uneasy about the inaction of their company in the fight against the environmental crisis and the growth of inequalities. Six out of ten employees are even considering leaving their company for these reasons. Luckily, businesses have heard their call! Here are some examples of the best initiatives:
- In December, 200 major companies called on governments to respect their climate commitments. It is therefore Ikea, Microsoft, Bayer, EDF, H&M, Ikea, H&M, Ikea, Nestlé, Saint-Gobain, Unilever, or Volvo, and many others who have signed an appeal asking governments to respect the objectives of the Paris Agreement, namely to contain the rise in temperatures to well below 2°C, if possible to 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial era. Unity is strength!
- In the fight against climate change, L'Oréal has developed an action plan to be a “carbon balanced” company by 2020. The objective? Compensate for the incompressible CO2 emissions of its industrial activity through a sustainable sourcing approach based on three pillars: the promotion of low-carbon agriculture, sustainable forest management and the energy efficiency of processing chains.
- Another example: since 2019, the pharmaceutical laboratory Sanofi has been using waste heat recovery installations in order to reduce the site's gas consumption and associated CO2 emissions, with a long-term objective of “zero CO2 emissions”.
It is clear that major changes await and are expected by businesses. The good news is that OuiLive has THE ultimate solution to effectively raise awareness among your teams about the fight against global warming. To mobilize each employee, rely on gamification to get your messages across, and encourage as many people as possible to take action!
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