Bulletin No.16
Discussion - The Climate Crisis
The climate crisis is generally considered a result of global warming over time, resulting from excessive carbon emissions; through the advent of industrialisation, the risk of an irreversible climate crisis has emerged. As global climate change increases, the most marginalised and underprivileged communities are noticeably feeling the most impact.
According to the World Health Organisation, climate change is expected to cause over 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, through heat stress, malnutrition, and malaria, noting that developing countries will be the most affected. This in turn is expected to push millions into poverty. The symptoms of an Earth struggling to survive continue to reveal themselves, with the UK experiencing record-breaking “super heatwaves” above 40C, which, the Met Office highlight, have been made 10 times more likely because of climate change.
The climate crisis is well on its way to develop into the most widespread humanitarian disasters, with the basic rights of many - including food, clean water, and shelter - being ravaged by the consequences of unchecked carbon emissions. Millions have already experienced the impact of climate-change-induced tropical storms across Southeast Asia, wildfires in Greece and Siberia in 2021, and severe flooding across China and Germany. Amnesty International reaffirms that the effects of climate change are worsening, and will continue to grow over time, wreaking overwhelming destruction for current and future generations. Many charities consider the failure of governments to act on the climate crisis - despite irrefutable evidence of risk to humanity - to be a human rights violation. Many countries are failing to decrease carbon emissions; some, including India and Russia, have even continued to increase carbon emissions over time
While government advice does suggest personal accountability in reducing carbon footprints, such as through the use of public transport, Amnesty International highlights the key role of corporations and governments in making a tangible difference to the changing climate.
How can I get involved?
Externally
Manchester Friends of the Earth (MFoE) are an environmental group campaigning on local, national and International Issues. As well as donating on their website, they also publicise an extensive calendar in which members and non-members can participate in making active changes that aim to reduce global climate change. Activities range from routine, community-based projects, such as garden volunteering and plant swaps, to extensive help in becoming an environmental activist through direct action training with Extinction Rebellion.
For more information, visit www.manchesterfoe.org.uk
UNICEF and Save the Children also welcome donations, some of which go to those impacted most by food scarcity and a lack of resources due to climate change.
For more information, visit www.unicef.org.uk and www.savethechildren.org.uk
Internally
UoM has launched the 10,000 Actions Challenge as part of its social responsibility initiative to educate and support staff by encouraging sustainability. All first-years can participate in the Challenge, which involves working in interdisciplinary teams to brainstorm ideas to make a more sustainable campus.
Students are also encouraged to educate themselves on climate change via the Manchester Environmental Research Institute (MERI) website.
For more information, visit www.meri.manchester.ac.uk/
Charity Spotlight: Natural Resources Defence Council
The Natural Resources Defence Council focuses on the major cause of climate change - a lack of sustainable energy sources resulting in increased carbon emissions - and works “to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities”. Their action includes representing communities in front of lawmakers to make active changes to the way in which energy is used.
You can support their efforts by donating via their website and following their Instagram page.
You can donate here on their website: www.nrdc.org
You can follow their Instagram here: @nrdc_org
