.png)
11 Nov 2022 | Eric Hannaford
Global Warming on Politics and the Environment: A Brief Overview
Global warming is affecting lives in various ways, resulting in species being at risk of extinction, severe drought, stressed ecosystems, erosion, and coral bleaching, to name a few. These consequences will continue to worsen if we do not act now to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
We must understand the causes and effects of global warming on politics and the environment and the complexities of climate change politics and policy. This is because we rely on the natural environment for every aspect of our life.
This article will discuss the political and environmental effects of global warming. It will also briefly cover the state of climate change in Australia and how our politicians are responding to its alarming effects. Read on to learn more.
We must understand the causes and effects of global warming on politics and the environment and the complexities of climate change politics and policy. This is because we rely on the natural environment for every aspect of our life.
This article will discuss the political and environmental effects of global warming. It will also briefly cover the state of climate change in Australia and how our politicians are responding to its alarming effects. Read on to learn more.
Global Warming
Global warming refers to the long-term warming of the Earth’s overall temperature. This warming trend is being felt worldwide. In 1906, research revealed that the global average surface temperature of the planet had increased by more than 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees Celsius).
Today, global warming has risen exponentially due to the rapid increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases resulting from the continuous burning of fossil fuels (including coal, natural gas, and oil).
Today, global warming has risen exponentially due to the rapid increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases resulting from the continuous burning of fossil fuels (including coal, natural gas, and oil).
Effects of Global Warming on the Environment
As outlined, the effects of global warming are evident everywhere, and they’re more complicated than just rising temperatures. Scientists agree that global warming affects the environment by fueling:
- Hotter days
- Melted ice, which in turn increases the volume of water in oceans (resulting in rising sea levels)
- Extreme weather conditions (bushfires, droughts, floods, and cyclones)
- Oceans becoming warmer and more acidic (which leads to bleaching coral reefs and causing stronger storms)
How Global Warming Impacts Political Stability
For years, politicians have refused to acknowledge the urgency of the discussions by scientists and climate activists about climate change's role in storms and wildfires. They even accuse these experts of politicising disaster.
Aside from environmental outcomes, research reveals that global warming also causes violent crimes, the collapse of regimes, and political instability.
Although the link between global warming and politics has been less obvious, it’s becoming increasingly impossible to ignore. Warmer temperatures and extreme weather contribute to social stress and worsen economic outcomes, affecting political behaviour.
If climate change is left unaddressed today, its influence on shaping politics and geopolitics in the future will be more pronounced and concerning. The populace will suffer more and struggle to survive fatal storms, unmatched heat, and disappearing coastlines. These will put pressure on political institutions and impact the global economy.
Aside from environmental outcomes, research reveals that global warming also causes violent crimes, the collapse of regimes, and political instability.
Although the link between global warming and politics has been less obvious, it’s becoming increasingly impossible to ignore. Warmer temperatures and extreme weather contribute to social stress and worsen economic outcomes, affecting political behaviour.
If climate change is left unaddressed today, its influence on shaping politics and geopolitics in the future will be more pronounced and concerning. The populace will suffer more and struggle to survive fatal storms, unmatched heat, and disappearing coastlines. These will put pressure on political institutions and impact the global economy.
Climate Change in Australia
Surveys suggest that between 2002-2009, the public became much more concerned about the prolonged drought in Australia, along with summer bushfires and higher temperatures in several locations.
Australia's climate change and global warming issue became more concerning when it fell below other urgent matters, especially after the federal elections.
That said, the acceptance of climate change science remains imperative because those who are untrained in science and didn’t study the literature about climate change won’t fully understand the details. This will be crucial in influencing the concern and desire for political action against climate change, surveys within Australia and across the globe have identified.
Australia's climate change and global warming issue became more concerning when it fell below other urgent matters, especially after the federal elections.
That said, the acceptance of climate change science remains imperative because those who are untrained in science and didn’t study the literature about climate change won’t fully understand the details. This will be crucial in influencing the concern and desire for political action against climate change, surveys within Australia and across the globe have identified.
What Is the Federal Government Doing About Climate Change and Global Warming?
To counter climate change and global warming, the Australian Government introduced the Climate Change Bill 2022. The Bill lays down Australia’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. It also legislates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
However, the current targets in the Climate Change Bill need to fully align with the trajectories outlined with the Paris climate goals during the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. So, as the world strives to limit warming to 1.5°C, Australia is expected to lift its ambitions further so that it can play its full part in implementing these climate goals.
However, the current targets in the Climate Change Bill need to fully align with the trajectories outlined with the Paris climate goals during the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. So, as the world strives to limit warming to 1.5°C, Australia is expected to lift its ambitions further so that it can play its full part in implementing these climate goals.
How Can We Curb Climate Change?
We need a healthy and stable climate as our most precious natural resource to survive. This is why we need to curb the dangerous effects of climate change, especially global warming. To achieve this, we need deep cuts in emissions and the use of alternatives to fossil fuels worldwide.
Although countries around the globe have made commitments to lower their emissions through a set of standards and new policies to achieve these goals, unfortunately, we’re not working fast enough.
The only way to achieve the goal of reducing global carbon emissions by as much as 40% by 2030 is to take immediate, concrete steps focused on the following:
Although countries around the globe have made commitments to lower their emissions through a set of standards and new policies to achieve these goals, unfortunately, we’re not working fast enough.
The only way to achieve the goal of reducing global carbon emissions by as much as 40% by 2030 is to take immediate, concrete steps focused on the following:
- Decarbonising electricity generation
- Maximising energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, and industries
- Electrifying cars and trucks
Ultimately, the federal government must lead in curbing climate change so people can survive. We may pass down a cleaner and more sustainable planet to future generations by addressing global warming issues.
How Can You Help?
The more we delay action plans to combat the effects of global warming on politics and the environment, the more serious they will become. Before we know it, we’re not only seeing news of heat waves and prolonged drought; it could have a much greater impact on society than temperature change alone.
Sure, we might only win the fight with large-scale government action at the national level. However, we also need the help of our fellow Australians willing to use their voices to hold government officials and industry leaders accountable, like us here at Global Warming Politics.
We believe we can make an impact by starting the change in us, starting with our daily habits. You'll learn more about climate change and global warming by working with Global Warming Politics. Join the Independent Political Candidates Association (IPCA) now! Please fill out the contact form to start.
Sure, we might only win the fight with large-scale government action at the national level. However, we also need the help of our fellow Australians willing to use their voices to hold government officials and industry leaders accountable, like us here at Global Warming Politics.
We believe we can make an impact by starting the change in us, starting with our daily habits. You'll learn more about climate change and global warming by working with Global Warming Politics. Join the Independent Political Candidates Association (IPCA) now! Please fill out the contact form to start.
I’m a paragraph. Drag me to add paragraph to your block, write your own text and edit me.