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Cliff Chiduku
Herald Correspondent

Climate change is no longer a distant threat on the horizon — it is a present, accelerating emergency that demands immediate action.

As the planet continues to warm and extreme weather events such as cyclones, heatwaves, typhoons, among others becoming increasingly frequent, the window to prevent catastrophic outcomes is rapidly closing. And the time to act is NOW.

The race against climate change is one we cannot afford to lose; humanity must run faster, innovate smarter, and act more decisively if we are to protect the planet for ourselves and future generations.

Our future and that of the next generation is at stake.

The urgency of this challenge cannot be overstated: slowing down global warming requires a collective effort, encompassing governmental policies, corporate responsibility and individual actions. It requires all hands on the deck.

The scientific consensus is clear: human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, are driving climate change. The consequences are severe, with rising global temperatures leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts and wildfires.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), humanity has less than a decade to limit global warming to 1.5degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels — a critical threshold to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Exceeding this limit could lead to irreversible damage to ecosystems, more severe weather patterns, and significant disruptions to food and water supplies.

Of course, we cannot afford to fold our hands in the face of such calamity.

We do not need to organise mass prayers let alone blame malicious demons and angry gods. Neither should we believe in angles and fairies.

Gentle reader, all hope is not lost, the solution is within reach.

One of the most critical steps in the fight against climate change is cutting reliance on carbon-emitting fuels.

This means a massive, global shift towards clean energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower.

Governments and businesses must prioritise investments in clean energy infrastructure, phasing out coal, oil, and gas at the same time incentivising the adoption of renewables.

Countries such as Germany and Denmark have set ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality, and their progress shows that such transitions are possible with the right policies and public support.

On an individual level, people can contribute by opting for green energy plans, installing solar panels, or supporting companies that use renewable energy.

The transport sector is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in urban areas.

To combat this, there is need to adopt a two-pronged approach: enhancing public transportation systems and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). My visit to Nordic countries a few years ago was an eye-opener.

Cities like Copenhagen have demonstrated that it is possible to create bike-friendly, low-emission urban environments, significantly reducing dependency on cars.

On a personal level, individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by walking, cycling, carpooling, or using public transportation instead of driving. For those who can afford it, switching to an EV or hybrid vehicle is an excellent way to cut emissions.

Agriculture is another major source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to deforestation, methane emissions from livestock, and the overuse of fertilisers.

Shifting towards more sustainable farming practices is crucial more than ever. This includes promoting organic farming and supporting local food systems that have a smaller carbon footprint.

Regenerative agriculture, which focuses on soil health and biodiversity, is gaining traction as a way to sequester carbon and improve resilience to climate change.

The growing of industrial hemp becomes more than imperative.

Critically, consumers can also support these green practices by choosing plant-based diets, reducing food waste, and buying from farmers who prioritise sustainability.

Forests and wetlands act as critical carbon sinks because they absorb tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It follows that protecting these ecosystems is vital in slowing global warming.

This requires stricter enforcement of environmental laws, rolling out massive reforestation projects, and the preservation of marine habitats.

Individual actions, while important, are not sufficient on their own to address the scale of the climate crisis.

We need robust, enforceable climate policies at local, national, and international levels.

This includes carbon pricing, stricter emissions regulations, and binding international agreements to reduce greenhouse gases.

Leaders should prioritise climate action on their manifestos, participating in climate marches, and holding companies accountable for their environmental actions or inactions.

The Paris Agreement, although imperfect, provides a framework for international cooperation that must be strengthened and expanded to ensure global commitments are met.

The traditional linear economy of “take, make, dispose” is unsustainable and contributes significantly to climate change. Transitioning to a circular economy — where products are designed for longevity, reuse, and recycling — can drastically reduce waste and emissions.

Consumers can support this shift by opting for durable products, repairing rather than discarding items and recycling responsibly.

The race against climate change is a race against time. Every fraction of a degree matters, and every action, no matter how small, contributes to the collective effort to slow down global warming.

The consequences of inaction are too dire to contemplate: more frequent natural disasters, widespread displacements of people, loss of biodiversity and severe economic disruptions are on the horizon. But there is hope.

With the right mix of innovation, policy and public engagement, we can still change course.

Humanity has faced daunting challenges before and emerged stronger and wiser.

The fight against climate change is no different.

It requires courage, creativity and a shared commitment to a sustainable future.

There is a good reason to think that in the arms race between humanity and climate change, humanity runs faster.

We must run faster, act smarter, and refuse to accept anything less than the preservation of our planet. The time to act is now.

Food for thought!

Cliff Chiduku is a communications, public policy and governance expert with interests in climate change, agriculture and environmental issues.  Feedback: [email protected] or Call/App +263775716517.