How Did We Get Into This Mess?

 We all know it’s happening, we all know it is a tad scary - but how did we get into this mess? This week I’ll be spilling the piping hot tea on how climate change started and the fossil fuel industries’ role in this big ol’ mess.

🙌🏽 The Role of Fossil Fuels in Climate Change   

First things first, what is climate change? So glad you asked! Climate change is characterised by significant shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns. It began accelerating due to the massive increase in greenhouse gas emissions following the Industrial Revolution. The primary contributors to these emissions are the burning of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—used for energy production, transportation, and industrial activities. These activities release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) into the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect, which traps heat and raises global temperatures. Among the many companies involved in fossil fuel extraction and consumption, ExxonMobil has been a major player.

😡 The Ugly Truth

Here is a history lesson you didn’t know you needed… In the late 1970s and early 1980s, ExxonMobil conducted extensive research on climate change and its potential impacts. Internal documents and scientific reports from the company’s own researchers indicated a clear understanding that the continued use of fossil fuels would lead to increased CO2 emissions and global warming. By the early 1980s, ExxonMobil scientists had even predicted the significant rise in global temperatures that we are witnessing today. Crazy right? Despite this knowledge, the company publicly cast doubt on the scientific consensus around climate change for many years, thereby delaying meaningful action to address the crisis so that they could continue to make heaps of $$$.

👀 The Issue of Delayed Action  

ExxonMobil’s decision to hide its understanding of climate change has had huge implications for normal people like me and you! By promoting misinformation and funding climate denial, the company played a significant role in delaying policy responses and public awareness, contributing to the current severity of the climate crisis. This delay allowed continued, unchecked fossil fuel consumption, leading to higher cumulative emissions and making the task of mitigating climate change more urgent and challenging today. The early knowledge and subsequent inaction by ExxonMobil and similar companies highlight the critical impact of corporate responsibility and transparency in addressing global environmental issues. In other words, we should be making them pay for climate change!

In Australia alone, climate damages will cost the economy $1 trillion dollars per year, this means we should be holding these companies accountable rather than people like you and I having to pick up the bill.

Sustainable Living Tips

Now we’re on the topic of fossil fuels, did you know plastic is a by-product of the fossil fuel industry? And that big oil actually pushes plastic consumption so they can stay profitable? Wild right? So this week let’s focus on how we can consume less plastic:

Making Smarter Shopping Choices

🛍️ Use Reusable Bags: Always carry reusable shopping bags when you go to the store. Avoid using single-use plastic bags by keeping reusable bags in convenient places like your car or by the front door.

🧐 Choose Products with Minimal Packaging: Opt for products with little or no plastic packaging. Buy in bulk when possible, and select items packaged in glass, cardboard, or other recyclable materials. Support brands that prioritise sustainable packaging.

✋🏽 Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Refuse single-use plastic items such as straws, cutlery, plates, and cups. Carry your own reusable alternatives made from materials like stainless steel, bamboo, or silicone.

Adopting Sustainable Habits

🫙 Bring Your Own Containers: When getting takeout or buying from bulk bins, bring your own containers. Many cafes and restaurants also allow customers to use their own coffee cups and food containers.

☕️ Switch to Reusable Bottles and Cups: Invest in a good-quality reusable water bottle and coffee cup. These items not only reduce plastic waste but can also save money in the long run.

✨ Opt for Cloth Over Plastic: Use cloth napkins, towels, and shopping bags instead of their disposable plastic counterparts. Cloth items can be washed and reused many times, reducing waste.

Recycling and Disposal

♻️ Recycle Properly: Familiarise yourself with your local recycling guidelines and ensure that you recycle plastic items correctly. Rinse containers and remove any non-recyclable parts before placing them in the recycling bin.

🗑️ Participate in Clean-Up Efforts: Join community clean-up events to help remove plastic waste from beaches, parks, and other public spaces. These efforts can reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in natural habitats.

💖 Educate and Advocate: Educate yourself and others about the impact of plastic pollution and advocate for policies that reduce plastic use. Support bans on single-use plastics and encourages businesses to adopt sustainable practices.

 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Edinburgh is banning ads for high-emission transport and fossil fuels

🪸 Peru has approved a new marine protected area.

👀 Wealthy nations are providing $100 billion in climate aid.