In April 2016, world leaders in New York signed the so-called Paris Agreement (UN General Convention on Climate Change), drafted at the 21st UN Climate Change Conference in the capital of France, whose long-term goal was to prevent the global warming of the planet above 2 degrees, recommended up to 1.5 degrees, and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to neutrality in 2050. Since then, politicians, environmental protection specialists and businessmen, as well as ordinary people and weavers of various conspiracy theories, have been continuously talking about the climate crisis that has hit the globe. Some predict the end of the world soon, others consider it all utter nonsense, others look for solutions to avoid it, and others don’t seem to know about it at all. As it is in reality, Jauns.lv questioned climate expert Laura Treimani, member of the board of the organization “Zero waste Latvija”.
Planetary Challenges
Regarding this agreement, which was also ratified by Latvia, the “commandment” sounds almost like a mantra: “Not higher than one and a half degrees!” talking about the future fate of the planet. 1.5 degrees is the critical limit of global temperature increase, which the leaders of at least 55 countries have pledged not to exceed by ratifying the Paris Agreement, implementing comprehensive climate action plans. If this fails, we may experience a large-scale refugee crisis. It is estimated that they could be 1.2 million people who would flow from countries ravaged by natural disasters to Europe, looking for a place of residence more suitable for survival.
One of the biggest threats to the health of the planet is greenhouse gas emissions. For example, in Latvia, the largest amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) is generated by fossil fuel (oil products, coal, natural gas) combustion processes and transport exhaust gases. Latvia is also among the countries of the world that are determined to find more and more opportunities to produce renewable energy. Unfortunately, in this matter, we are significantly behind both Scandinavia and the nearest neighboring countries – Lithuania and Estonia. If SIA “Latvijas vēja parki” succeeds in implementing the plan, by 2030, wind farms with a capacity of at least 800 megawatts will be built in state forests, which Estonia has already achieved.
In Latvia, there is still a lot to be done in the agricultural sector, where CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced by using no-till technology and reducing the use of mineral fertilizers. Work on optimizing transport emissions should also be continued, creating a multimodal transport system that would provide for car sharing, the introduction of additional electric transport aids, as well as the creation of a convenient and cheap public transport network. Environmental education issues should be included more extensively in school and university programs. And it is recommended for every resident to consume less animal products in their diet.
While one part of the world is busy saving the planet, Russia has committed hundreds of environmental crimes in Ukraine since the start of the war and has caused at least 33 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, worrying even optimistic climate experts.
“If we do nothing, survival will become even more expensive”
Studies show that if we do not step up our efforts to mitigate the climate crisis, the situation could be quite dire. There will be about 1.2 million refugees flowing to Europe, rising water levels, geopolitical conflicts due to redistribution of resources, instability in the financial system and many other problems that will affect every sector of the economy, every inhabitant of the planet.
“If we don’t think seriously about the climate crisis now, then in the future we will face even higher bills, higher food prices… and survival will be even more expensive than it would be without the climate crisis,” says Laura Treimane.
Natural disasters have always been and will be, but climate change amplifies them, will create streams of refugees, including to Latvia. In areas that are already characterized by drought and low rainfall, the drought will only intensify: there will be long periods of drought, fires, floods and even more other natural cataclysms. People in such areas will no longer be able to survive and they will logically look for more survival-friendly places.
Primary tasks
According to climate expert Laura Treimane, member of the board of the organization “Zero waste Latvija”, the most catastrophic situation in Latvia is in the field of energy. (Photo: Ieva Leiniša/LETA)
According to Laura Treimanes, the most catastrophic situation in Latvia is in the field of energy: “Latvia lags behind not only the Scandinavian countries, but also its neighboring countries – Lithuania and Estonia. It is precisely with the development of wind energy that we must rapidly increase the use of renewable energy resources and develop wind parks.”
The second most important thing is the agricultural sector. We must promote the transition to climate neutrality. This applies to how we grow our food, to how we plow our fields, and to what we eat.
Thirdly, environmental awareness and environmental education should be promoted, because without it “nothing will be possible”. Pupils and students themselves have also expressed in surveys that environmental problems are not considered sufficiently in educational institutions.
The first of the most important things in the agricultural sector to avoid climate change and reduce gas emissions is plowing. As we know, soil contains carbon, which is released during plowing. Therefore, “ploughing” methods should be used – plowing rates should be reduced.
Also, the use of mineral fertilizers contributes to environmental pollution. Therefore, the application of mineral fertilizers, especially synthetic ones, should be reduced.
The third thing concerns our food consumption habits: what, how and how much do we eat? For example, in January, Latvia had a wide-ranging campaign that encouraged the consumption of animal products less in the diet, as it has been scientifically proven that the extensive use of such products is related to the “individual carbon footprint”.
How dangerous is melting glaciers?
The melting of glaciers in climate change is the visible tip of the iceberg. The rise in water levels associated with melting glaciers is essential, but there are more existential matters. (Photo: Don Mennig / Alamy/ Vida Press)
Laura Treimane says: “Glacier melting is the visible tip of the iceberg. The rise in water levels associated with melting glaciers is essential, but there are more existential things to do with being able to survive the climate crisis.”
We must limit the consequences that will increase the average temperature by the critical mark of 1.5 degrees. And this is related to biodiversity and the ecosystem, because there are many species that can no longer survive in a given area if the temperature rises by one degree. This means that species die out, new pests enter, new infectious diseases arise.
“The melting of glaciers affects us, but I wouldn’t say that it is the most important thing that needs to be paid attention to from the point of view of public welfare,” sums up Laura Treimane.
Concern over the disappearance of bees
Ecosystems and biodiversity are the basis of all life, and if even one species is missing in this entire chain, we cannot predict what the consequences will be. This also applies to bees. (Photo: Cynthia Sanderson/LETA)
Ecosystems and biodiversity are the basis of all life, and if even one species is missing in this entire chain, we cannot predict what consequences it will have on humans, food production, medicine and so on. This also applies to bees that are disappearing, not because of climate change, but because of pesticide use.
Research conducted in Europe shows that as the average air temperature increases, there are species that decline, such as the population of bumblebees or the beautiful bumblebee. Also, it is high time to visit the coral reefs, because it is clear that they will be gone in several decades.
What can each of us do?
Laura Treimane says that she supports “systemic solutions” in this field, because each individual will hardly be able to change the world, everyone should do and act together, collectively. Therefore, incentives from the government would be useful in this area.
But there are also things we can do individually to maintain a stable climate. The first thing is related to energy and transport, because it creates the biggest emissions in Latvia. The other thing is agriculture, but the problem of waste management is the “least” because it only accounts for 5% of emissions.
Because first of all, you should start reviewing your transport usage habits: how, how often and with whom we travel. As well as audit your “energy portfolio”: how energy-efficient is lighting at home, promote not only energy efficiency, but also energy independence. And the third thing is waste management, because it is known that recycling and sorting waste helps to reduce emissions.
Will the electric car solve the car emissions problem?
Electric cars are not a panacea to reduce emissions, so we need to change our travel habits. (Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETA)
“Not everyone needs an electric car. If everyone in the world had it, where would we get the resources to produce it? This is impossible,” says Laura Treimane and continues: “Therefore, it is necessary to create a multimodal transport system, mobility related to car sharing, various electric transport aids and, of course, public transport. If public transport is convenient, cheap and efficient enough, then people will use it and should strive for it. An electric car is more like option B.”
Of course, it should be taken into account that an electric car is many times more environmentally friendly than a car with an internal combustion engine – in this comparison, electric car emissions are 60% lower.
A basis for optimism
The geopolitical events of the last year have dampened Laura Treiman’s optimistic hope, but she still believes deep in her heart that humanity will be able to unite to mitigate climate change. But here is the question: will we be able to fit within 1.5, 2 or 2.5 degrees?
“If we exceed the average increase in air temperature by 1.5-2 degrees, then climate change will become irreversible. If we reduce emissions by these two degrees, climate change will still occur, and it will take several hundred years for it to subside,” says Laura Treimane.
Therefore, she calls not to believe climate skeptics who propose that climate problems are not relevant: “Climate skeptics are and will be, just like the supporters of various other conspiracy theories.” She regrets that there are people who do not believe in science, which has proven that climate change is 95% human-caused.
There can be several reasons why there are such climate skeptics. First of all, they could be psychological barriers. Second, it is often different lobby groups lobbying for anti-climate decisions. They even pay for research, which, when you delve into it, you have to conclude that “something is wrong” with them. There are also those who are self-confident climate skeptics.
The School of Critical Reading is a project supported by SIF/MAF, the aim of which is to promote the critical thinking of the public and to think about the news context by reading the content of various media on a daily basis.
The project is financed by the “Media Support Fund” from the funds of the Latvian state budget. SIA Izdevniecība “Rīgas Vilņi” is responsible for the content of “Critical Reading School”.
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