Celebrities and politicians often use their platforms to raise awareness about various issues, including climate change. They can influence public opinion and policy by sharing their views and advocating for environmental causes. Some celebrities have been recognized for their environmental activism, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, who has a foundation dedicated to global conservation efforts, and Greta Thunberg, a young activist who has inspired millions to take action for the climate.
It's important to recognize that while celebrities can draw attention to the issue of climate change, addressing it requires a combined effort from all sectors of society, including governments, corporations, and citizens. Every individual has a role to play in addressing this global concern.
Joe Biden, President of the United States of America had the following to say about climate change. "I come here today with a message: As President, I have a responsibility to act with urgency and resolve when our nation faces clear and present danger. And that’s what climate change is about. It is literally, not figuratively, a clear and present danger. The health of our citizens and our communities is literally at stake." - 20 July 2022
America’s favourite astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, tackled climate change on an episode of the hit show, Cosmos during May 2014. “We’re dumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a rate the Earth hasn’t seen since the great climate catastrophes of the past, the ones that led to mass extinctions. We just can’t seem to break our addiction to the kinds of fuel that will bring back a climate last seen by the dinosaurs, a climate that will drown our coastal cities and wreak havoc on the environment and our ability to feed ourselves,”
Photo courtesy of Jayme Weiss taken in The Netherlands
Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor and Environmental activist, spoke at the UN over 9 years ago and said,
"As an actor I pretend for a living. I play fictitious characters often solving fictitious problems.
I believe humankind has looked at climate change in that same way: as if it were a fiction, happening to someone else’s planet, as if pretending that climate change wasn’t real would somehow make it go away. But I think we know better than that. Every week, we’re seeing new and undeniable climate events, evidence that accelerated climate change is here now. We know that droughts are intensifying, our oceans are warming and acidifying, with methane plumes rising up from beneath the ocean floor. We are seeing extreme weather events, increased temperatures, and the West Antarctic and Greenland ice-sheets melting at unprecedented rates, decades ahead of scientific projections."
22-year-old British surfer, Laura Crane, told BBC sport on a message for earth day "Being a surfer, it's where the ocean is my haven. It's a place where I go to spend time with my friends and family. The main threats I see as a surfer, are definitely the oceans plastic pollution.
Overfishing is devastating the bottom of the oceans, and the raw sewerage we are seeing being let out into the oceans. I've seen a big change in the amount of plastic, that we see just floating around in my home beach in North Devon. There's microplastics littering shores. There's also been a real growth in sewerage water being let out into our oceans, which has actually been stopping surfers and people that just go to the oceans to enjoy it. Being able to enter the ocean which is really scary. The ocean is the planets largest eco-system. It supports all life on earth and is responsible for 50% of the oxygen that we breath. So, whether you're grown up at the beach or in a city or a dessert, it doesn't matter to all of us. I think my main message on World Earth Day would to be conscious, to stay accountable, and just learn a bit more. Knowledge is so much power. Sometimes it's scary to find out what position we are in with the environment, but it's so important that we don't worry our head over this. We can make a difference and we can definitely save our planet." - April 2024
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. "People are starting to realise that we cannot keep looking away from these things, we cannot keep sweeping these injustices under the carpet". - June 2020. It was in the UN that she delivered her famous "how dare you" speech. "You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words", she told the world leaders gathered in the UN Assembly. She appeared on the verge of tears as she continued. "People are dying," she said, "and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you?" "The level of knowledge and understanding even among people in power is very, very low, much lower than you would think," she told the BBC.
Sir David Frederick Attenborough is a famous British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and writer. David Attenborough was quoted on 5 November 2020 saying, "Never before have we had such an awareness of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about that. Surely, we all have a responsibility to care for our Blue Planet. The future of humanity and indeed, all life on earth, now depends on us.”
Evidence for climate change
The unprecedented rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases since the beginning of the industrial revolution.
We know from laboratory and atmospheric measurements that greenhouse gases do indeed absorb heat when they are present in the atmosphere.
The significant increase in global temperatures and rise of the sea level.
The effects of natural events such as sunspots and volcanic eruptions on the climate, and though these are essential to understand the pattern of temperature changes over the past 150 years, they cannot explain the overall warming trend.
Significant changes have been observed in the Earth’s climate system including reduced snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere, retreat of sea ice in the Arctic, retreating glaciers on all continents, and shrinking of the area covered by permafrost and the increasing depth of its active layer.
The continual tracking of global weather and significant shifts in weather patterns and an increase in extreme events. Patterns of rainfall and snowfall have changed, with parts of North and South America, Europe and northern and central Asia becoming wetter, while central Africa, southern Africa, the Mediterranean and southern Asia have become drier. Intense rainfall has become more frequent, along with major flooding. We’re also seeing more heat waves. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration between 1880 and the beginning of 2014, the 13 warmest years on record have all occurred within the past 16 years.
Conclusion
It's indeed troubling that climate change denial persists among decision makers despite overwhelming scientific evidence. Many individuals, including some world leaders, refuse to acknowledge the severity of the situation, often claiming that current changes are normal and not problematic. This denial undermines the urgent warnings from scientists and suggests a dangerous level of ignorance. Unfortunately, this attitude prioritises personal or political interests over the well-being of our planet. Addressing climate change requires collective action and a willingness to listen to scientific consensus.
Seeing the ridicule directed at Greta Thunberg on social media is disheartening. Despite being only 20, her insights and dedication to climate activism are remarkable. Sometimes, people mock what they don't understand or feel threatened, much like a schoolchild might tease a more knowledgeable peer. It reminds everyone to approach such matters with maturity and respect. Growing up means recognising and valuing the contributions of others, regardless of their age.
I believe that overpopulation is a significant factor contributing to our current predicament. It results in an increased demand for food and resources, leading to more deforestation, a higher consumption of fossil fuels for transportation, and an escalation in plastic waste to meet consumer desires. Over the years, this has created a snowball effect that is swiftly becoming unmanageable, jeopardising the quality of life for future generations. It's crucial to become educated and environmentally conscious before it's too late. It's a reminder that we all have a part to play in addressing this global concern.
If you agree with us, then leave a heart at the bottom of this article to let us know that you care about the environment.
Sources:
Remarks by President Biden on Actions to Tackle the Climate Crisis | The White House
Cosmos's Neil deGrasse Tyson on climate change: 'What's our excuse?' (mongabay.com)
World Earth Day: Surfer Laura Crane on witnessing threats to oceans - BBC Sport
Greta Thunberg: Climate change 'as urgent' as coronavirus (bbc.com)
How do we know climate change is happening? | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
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