The phrase “climate crisis” has become a throwaway term in recent years, as we all become oversaturated with warnings that our planet is in decline. Designed to replace the more placid “climate change”, the alternatives of “crisis” or “climate emergency” are designed to prompt immediate action, before irreversible damage is inflicted on our world.
As global disasters begin to unfold at an increasingly pressing rate, it is clear that we’re already in the midst of a climate crisis. Immediate, tangible consequences of this include the notable changes to temperatures and air quality that are bound to impact everyday life across the globe.
The overwhelming scale of the climate crisis can lead to feelings of nihilism and despair, where it is tempting to resign oneself to ecological disaster. Although the effects of human activity would take centuries to fully reverse, current and future efforts can limit the tangible results of climate change, safeguarding our planet for future generations.
Read on for an insight into how the climate crisis has impacted our air quality and temperatures, with an overview of the key causes and potential solutions. It is also important to consider how we can all adapt to our changing environment, where Mitchell’s heating and cooling solutions are designed to keep your business running smoothly.
Air Pollution
Air pollution describes the contamination of normal air by suspended particles and gases, commonly released by the combustion of fossil fuels. Gas, wood or coal powered devices as well as motor vehicles, industrial factories and wildfires are all major emitters of air pollutants.
Effects Of Air Pollution
The air pollutants that are most harmful to human health include those containing particulates, as well as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Particulates and gases released into the air can cause a wide range of respiratory problems including lung cancer, as well as strokes and heart disease.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), roughly 99% of the world’s population now breathes air exceeding WHO guideline limits, where this implies most of our air now contains high levels of harmful pollutants. Recent studies indicate that in 2018, 8.7 million deaths globally were caused by air pollution linked to the burning of fossil fuels, which accounts for almost one-fifth of worldwide deaths that year.
Air Pollution In Canada & USA
The problem of air pollution has hit the headlines recently due to the widespread effects of wildfire smoke originating from Canada and spreading across northeastern America. Record levels of warm weather and drought related to climate change have increased the likelihood and severity of wildfires, which are usually sparked by lightning or human activity such as camping.
It is thought that New York residents have been exposed to pollution levels five times higher than the national standard, where residents have been advised to stay indoors and wear protective masks. Skies across affected areas transformed a murky yellow at the height of the pollution, a visceral reminder of the decline in air quality.
Potential Solutions
Immediate responses to air pollution include methods to protect one’s health and wellbeing in our current climate. These include investing in air filtration systems for homes and businesses, and wearing protective masks when in industrial areas.
In order to see long term change, industries across the globe need to move to more sustainable fuel alternatives, where this switch can be mirrored on a smaller scale in domestic properties. Companies are beginning to invest in filtration technologies, which will help to manage the release of more harmful particulate matter. Proper maintenance of petrol and diesel vehicles can also help to reduce the emission of harmful gases, where investment in electric cars will continue to reduce pollution caused by road travel.
Temperature Increases
According to NASA, global temperatures are thought to have increased by just above 1° Celsius since 1880 (approximately 2° Fahrenheit), with the majority of this warming occurring since 1975.
The beginning of this temperature change coincides with the Industrial Revolution, where global warming is linked to the increased emission of greenhouse gases released during fossil fuel combustion. These gases contribute to the “greenhouse effect” by trapping the sun’s heat in the earth’s atmosphere
Effects Of Temperature Increases
The impact of global warming is incredibly wide ranging, where a temperature increase of just one or two degrees can rapidly affect our environment. One major change is the shrinking of the planet’s ice caps and glaciers, which primarily limits and restricts animal habitats, as well as contributing to storm surges and coastal erosion.
Changing temperatures are also already causing changes to animal and plant life cycles and migration patterns, which can have a knock on effect on the world’s biodiversity. On a human level, droughts and heat waves continue to contribute to food and water shortages as well as heat-related health conditions.
Recent years have also seen a tangible increase in pollen levels, causing widespread increases in hay fever symptoms. This is due to warmer weather initiating a longer and more intense pollen season. Studies also indicate that rising air temperatures are likely to impact travel safety, with an increase in turbulence during aeroplane journeys. Temperatures are rising in a real way, resulting in more intense seasons that will continue to impact human life.
Potential Solutions
Global temperature increases are a major symptom of the climate emergency, where a range of small and large scale solutions can make a difference to the future of our planet. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 by 196 global representatives, is a key part of international efforts to manage climate change. A key pledge of the agreement is to limit temperature increases by the end of this century to 1.5°C. In order to achieve this target, countries should reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” by 2050.
Global investment in renewable energy will help to achieve this emission reduction target, where it is hoped that industries which contribute the most to global warming will start to make key changes. Some major corporations have made major commitments to renewable energy in recent years, whilst other global coal and oil companies are still some of the planet’s top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
On a personal level, we can all do our part to reduce our personal carbon footprint, where some key changes include:
- Switching to energy efficient light bulbs – which use less electricity than regular alternatives whilst also helps to reduce energy bills
- Taking public transport – where this reduces the number of vehicles on the road using fossil fuels
- Eating less meat – where the meat industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and the overuse of land and water supplies
- Reducing, reusing and recycling waste – where this reduces the quantity of new materials that need to be manufactured using fossil fuels, whilst also managing the size of landfill sites which can also release harmful gases
- Choosing renewable energy options – solar panels are becoming increasingly popular for homes and businesses, where any excess energy produced can be used to supplement the national grid
- Reducing travel – long distance flights are a major contributor to carbon emissions, where shorter journeys or transport alternatives such as trains can help to reduce individual carbon footprints
Mitchell’s: Making Everyday Life More Comfortable
At Mitchell’s, our experienced team is fully equipped to adapt your workplace to our changing climate, where customer comfort is our priority. Our comprehensive range of services includes:
Air conditioning servicing, repairs and installation – having a fully functional ac system will become a necessity as our climate changes, where more frequent heat waves will mean indoor cooling is likely to become an essential part of every workplace.
Commercial refrigeration services and installations – keeping your goods cool is essential for maintaining quality standards across a range of industries, where we’re equipped to supply and repair a wide range of fridge models.
Installation and maintenance of commercial ventilation systems – ventilation systems for indoor properties can help to minimise the impact of air pollution, where they are designed to filter out pollen, dust and particulate matter.
Contact us today to find out more about managing temperatures and air quality in your commercial building.