To fix climate change, the core strategy is to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance natural carbon absorption. Key actions include:
- Keep fossil fuels in the ground : Stop extracting and burning coal, oil, and gas, which are the main drivers of climate change. Transition economies away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible
- Invest in renewable energy : Shift to clean energy sources like solar, wind, tidal, wave, and geothermal power to replace fossil fuels
- Switch to sustainable transport : Reduce use of petrol and diesel vehicles, planes, and ships by promoting electric vehicles, public transit, and minimizing air travel. This also reduces air pollution
- Improve energy efficiency in homes : Insulate buildings and replace oil or gas boilers with heat pumps to reduce energy waste and emissions from heating
- Adopt sustainable agriculture and diets : Improve farming practices and encourage plant-based diets or reduced meat and dairy consumption to lower emissions from livestock
- Restore and protect natural carbon sinks : Plant trees, reforest, protect forests like the Amazon, and safeguard oceans to enhance their ability to absorb CO2
- Reduce consumption and waste : Cut down on overconsumption, especially in wealthy countries, and reduce plastic use since plastics are carbon-intensive to produce and dispose of
- Phase out harmful refrigerants : Replace potent greenhouse gas refrigerants with natural alternatives to reduce atmospheric heating
These solutions require coordinated action by governments, businesses, and individuals globally, supported by international agreements like the Paris Agreement, aiming for net-zero emissions as soon as possible
. In summary, fixing climate change involves transforming energy systems, transportation, agriculture, and consumption patterns while protecting and restoring natural ecosystems that absorb carbon
