We live in a dangerously unhealthy world. In 2018, researchers declared climate change the greatest threat to human health in history, and today the Earth has become too hot for 60% of fish.
It’s no secret that climate change is dangerous to both humans and the planet, but why are our environmental efforts unmeasurable? Human action is the most effective way to slow global warming, and technology can help people transition into a conscious mindset.
Back in 2018, Climate Reality spoke to the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to discuss how the climate crisis is impacting Canada – and what the nation is doing about it.
“Average temperatures in Canada have already increased by 1.7 degrees Celsius since 1948. Continued amplification of warming at high latitudes is projected under all scenarios of future climate change,” Minister McKenna said. “In the Canadian West, wildfires rage stronger and harsher than ever before. We’ve witnessed cities and homes burning, ranchers losing their stables – and each fire season, more communities displaced by the flames.”
Ontario is doing its part with reductions from 1990 emissions levels of 15% in 2020, 37% in 2030 and 80% in 2050. As a nation, Canada has put a price on pollution, protected parks, and special land/water areas, created various funds, and more.
Individually, there are many ways to slow climate change.
For example, optimizing our diets to support local organic farmers to reduce the emissions caused by transporting produce throughout the world. The Canadian dairy sector is a major industry with about 1 million cows. This industry emits about 20% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the main livestock sectors.
Likewise, you could avoid plastic, switch to 100% green power, save energy, ride your bike more, etc.
XR can also help bring climate change to someone’s priorities. The Virtual Planet is helping to combat climate change by getting people to experience it. Xennial Digital is an XR platform that helps teach kids about climate change while they’re young – as young as kindergarten.
Using your free time under quarantine to learn about climate change via XR can be very beneficial.
The WHO recommends we get daily exercise under quarantine to stay mentally and physically well, but COVID-19 is forcing us inside more than ever. As we adhere to these precautions, we can use the additional free time to become educated on the environment through technology.
The range of extended reality gadgets that can be used to slow climate change is quickly developing. A new free VR experience, developed by XR Impact in association with Oculus, and the Swedish International Development Agency, and titled Be Earth #13, was unveiled at this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) to teach users more about climate change.
How are you doing your part?
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