We are currently experiencing a La Niña period, which has led to major flooding. In the Hawkesbury-Nepean floodplain, where my campus is located, major floods have occurred four times in just this year.
These changes have severe consequences. Plants and animals are stressed by such intense events and can experience large declines in their population, as observed in Eucalyptus trees and koalas after the recent bushfires. Our food sources are also greatly impacted. Both droughts and floods are bad for crops, which can lead to a reduction in food supply and increased prices at the grocery store. Fires and floods can also lead to property loss and damage.
While some of climate change’s impacts are irreversible, we can prevent further damage to our planet. Solutions for reducing climate impacts exist at different scales. At a national and international level, governments must work to implement climate-related policies that seek to reduce emissions. This shift will require the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions by corporations. At the local and regional level, governments and other agencies can mitigate the impact of changes specific to their area. In New South Wales, for example, land managers are working to counteract the risk of worsening bushfires. Individuals like you and I also play a role. By choosing to take public transport instead of driving or reducing meat consumption, we can take steps that lower our carbon footprint. How else can you help to protect our planet?
