In the face of the increasing inequalities and the intensification of crises, fighting climate change is an urgency and a duty of world leaders.
The loss of biodiversity, the increasing frequency of extreme natural phenomena, and pollution are some of the issues most frequently seen worldwide.
In this regard, the report Interconnected Disaster Risks 2025: A New Page, published this Wednesday by the Institute for Environment and Human Security at the United Nations University (UNU-EHS) presents an approach with five key measures to reduce risks.
Five measures to combat climate change
Among the main measures mentioned in the report as essential to achieve results, it lists five.
Measures to combat the effects of climate change.
“We know that climate change is worsening, but fossil fuel consumption continues to break records. We already have a waste crisis, but household waste is expected to double,” explains professor Shen Xiaomeng.
1. Circular economy
It involves rethinking the concept of waste, supporting a model that promotes a circular economy, and prioritizes durability, repair, and reuse.
For example, producing recycled aluminum requires 95% less energy compared to primary production.
2. Aligning with nature
Another change is to realign with nature seeking positive changes, for example, the report indicates that in Europe, the restoration of 25,000 kilometers of rivers is planned to flow freely by 2030.
The exploitation of nature has led to deforestation, species extinction, and ecosystem collapse. One million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction.
Destroying nature depletes important resources for human survival such as clean water and food.
3. Vision of “collective responsibility”
Furthermore, there must be an advocacy for a global collective responsibility vision, as resources and opportunities are unevenly distributed.
Nations and individuals with greater resources disproportionately contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. While the poorest are most affected by climate change-related disasters.
The poorest half of the population suffers 75% of the relative income losses due to climate change, despite being responsible for only 12% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Fighting climate change.
4. Thinking long-term
The report also encourages thinking about future generations and how current decisions can have long-term repercussions. It proposes, for example, a long-term vision in policy-making.
5. Assigning economic value
The report also reveals an imbalance of values in which economic interests often take precedence over other values, which should be redefined. For example, in some places, deforested lands are valued up to 7.5 times more than forested lands.
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