Facing The Heat This Summer
This summer’s relentless barrage of extreme weather has sounded the alarm for adequate efforts to curb climate change.
Wildfires in 2021 devastated Greece, and they have now done so again this year. Credit: Anasmeister on Unsplash
This summer’s relentless barrage of extreme weather has made the escalating consequences of climate change undeniable. From record-breaking heat waves scorching Europe and North America to devastating floods submerging parts of Asia, the message from the planet is unmistakable: the climate crisis is not just imminent — it’s already upon us, and it’s intensifying.
The question posed is whether our current efforts are sufficient to combat this growing threat.
The answer, unfortunately, is an unequivocal no.
Despite years of international agreements and pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our efforts remain inadequate and need revision. The time for half measures is over; we need visionary and comprehensive action, and we need it now.
Global efforts to curb climate change are gravely inadequate. The Paris Agreement, which took effect in November 2016, aimed to limit global warming to “well below two degrees Celsius” above pre-industrial levels, with the aspirational target of limiting the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to Climate Action Tracker.
However, the gap between these targets and actual emissions reductions is widening. The world remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with oil, coal and natural gas still accounting for 80% of global energy consumption. Meanwhile, the impacts of climate change — extreme weather events, rising sea levels and shifting ecosystems — are becoming much more severe, frequent and destructive. Even this past summer, we have witnessed the hottest day on record, which NASA has determined was due to human activity, primarily through greenhouse gas emissions.
Consider the wildfires that have devastated large swaths of land, from Canada to Greece, this summer. Places in which Marist College’s spring attachment program took place were set on fire, with flames coming close to “consuming whole towns and villages,” according to CNN. These are not just natural disasters — they are a direct consequence of a warming planet.
Hotter temperatures, prolonged droughts and shifting weather patterns create the perfect conditions for such infernos. Yet, despite the clear link between climate change and these terrifying disasters, we still sit back and watch global emissions continue to rise.
While the global response to climate change has been slow, there are glimmers of hope at local levels. In nearby Ulster County, New York, the 70x30 Renewable Energy Implementation Plan stands as a beacon of what is possible with efforts from activists, citizens and government officials alike. The REIP plan, which aims to transition the county to 70% renewable energy by the year 2030, is an ambitious and necessary step toward reducing emissions and building resilience against climate impacts. Even if the bold target of reaching 70% renewable energy is not completed by 2030, Ulster County will have a working roadmap to attain this goal eventually.
The 70x30 REIP focuses on expanding renewable energy projects, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainability. These are exactly the kinds of initiatives that are needed on a larger scale. The plan also highlights the importance of community engagement and the role that local governments can play in driving meaningful change. While federal and international efforts are critical, local actions like these demonstrate that every community can contribute to the global fight against climate change.
However, even in places like Ulster County, there is a need for more. More investment in renewable energy, more aggressive policies like 70% renewable energy by 2030 to phase out fossil fuels and more commitment to adapting to the inevitable changes that are already underway. The 70x30 REIP is a model, but it must be replicated and up-scaled around the world.
Scaling these local plans and initiatives to the state or international level necessitates an even more vigorous pursuit of transformative change.
Governments must stop subsidizing fossil fuels and instead invest in renewable energy and green technologies. The money spent propping up the coal, gas and oil industries could be better used to support the transition to a sustainable future. Governments also must implement stricter regulations on emissions and provide incentives for businesses or individuals to reduce their carbon footprints.
Along with these changes, public infrastructure projects should prioritize climate resilience. From seawalls in oceanside towns to flood-resistant roads to energy-efficient buildings, our infrastructure must be built to withstand the impacts of climate change. While the idea of climate change sounds abstract or distant, the impacts are found in the towns of Marist students themselves. Just recently, Suffolk County, New York faced intense flooding, collapsing roads and powerlines. Finding solutions to climate change, like improving infrastructure, is not just an environmental issue; it is an economic and social one. The costs of inaction will be far greater than the costs of working on proactive measures now.
And one of the most central pieces to this complex, multifaceted problem is international cooperation. Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions. It is imperative that countries work together to share resources, technology and knowledge. The challenges are immense, but so too are the opportunities. By collaborating, we as individual community members and government officials can build a future that is not only sustainable but also prosperous.
Ultimately, international cooperation is not just a desirable goal, but an absolute necessity. This summer, in particular, we have watched our world burn, flood and melt all at the same time. We have watched families’ houses be consumed by the horrific effects of a changing climate. Climate change is a global crisis that demands global solutions. Nations must join together to share technology, resources and knowledge. The challenges are immense, but so too are the opportunities. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the time to act is now.