Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

Climate change and environmental sustainability have been deemed the major global problems that the world needs to address and solve. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climate change is an actual phenomenon driven by human activities; the price to pay if no measures are taken is steep. With these continued effects of climate change, it is time for developed societies to put in place sustainable measures to reduce the negative effects on Earth. One of the most critical sources is the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). As stated by Shah et al. (2024), the industrialization process directly impacts the levels of these gases in the atmosphere as they intensify the greenhouse effect, contributing to higher average global temperatures. According to the authors, extrapolation shows that the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere will be two times higher by the end of the year 2100, and that contributes to the difference of up to plus/minus six °C of global temperatures compared to pre-industrial levels by the end of the 21st century (Shah et al., 2024).

Climate change is real and is already experienced in various sectors, including agriculture. According to Shah et al. (2024), climate change directly affects the production and quality of sustainable horticultural crops. Early agricultural production is becoming more common as a result of changes in planting and harvesting patterns caused by rising global temperatures. Greenhouse gas emissions, ozone depletion, and deforestation are just a few of the frightening new issues brought about by climate change, which the authors underline further since they amplify environmental pressures on crops and might reduce yields (Shah et al., 2024). Climate change will have far-reaching effects on many parts of human existence and the natural world, not only on agricultural output. Climate change, according to Tamasiga et al. (2024), exacerbates socioeconomic inequities by hitting already vulnerable and disadvantaged populations the hardest. According to the authors, the fundamental requirement for effective collective action in climate change is social capital, since societies with a dense, intricate web of trust and reciprocity are better prepared to address adverse climate impacts and disasters, and to prevent and manage them (Tamasiga et al., 2024).

Climate change and the general quality of the natural environment are sensitive issues that must be addressed through the collaboration of numerous industries and stakeholders. Kabir et al. (2022) pointed out that renewable energy has been identified to have a core value in the development of emerging countries since it fosters sustainable economic development without any adverse effects on the environment. The authors emphasize the need to transition from nonrenewable to renewable energy sources to support sustainable development and minimize the impacts of climate change (Kabir et al., 2022). Besides, shifting to new horticultural crop varieties and greenhouse technology, as pointed out by Shah et al.  (2024), can assist in mitigating the impacts of climate change on crops. In their work, the authors comprehensively review all aspects of horticulture production and GHG emissions, including key exposure factors such as high temperatures, drought, and salinity stress.

Protection of the environment through combating climate change is one vision of a brighter future that requires the government, policymakers, organizations, and individuals to collaborate. Tamasiga et al.  (2024) opine that social protection must be appropriately channelled to prevent climate-related risks among communities and to engage, build, and improve institutional trust, transparency, and accountability systems.

In conclusion, climate change and environmental sustainability are pressing issues that demand immediate action. When no action is taken, some repercussions adversely affect the present and future generations. It is possible to reduce the negative impacts of climate change through sustainable practices, using renewable energy sources, modern farming methods, social inclusion, and organizing people into groups to act in unison. It is a social cause that can only be achieved when all levels of society, governments, and single people work together to make the world livable for future generations.