Looking at how the world has responded to climate change over the past decade, it has been a weak start, but it’s better than nothing. How good has the world been at tackling the problems? What about the climate legislation (surely there has to be laws), are they doing their job and working as they should?
Each new climate regulation law introduced has helped reduce yearly carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 0.8 percent during the first three years, and in the long term, 1.8 percent. Of course, as you would have it, some of the laws are better than others when it comes to reducing emissions.
How well a country is able to implement their new law is also something that is important. Naturally, some countries are better at implementing laws than others and this means they will be more likely to reduce emissions. In order to truly solve the global problem, we need to work together and create stronger climate change laws – to reduce carbon emissions is a place to start.
Why Do We Need Climate Laws?
Scientists have stated that we are still able to avoid the worst impacts of climate change if we were to reach net-zero carbon pollution before the year 2050 – this is referred to the zero-climate law (zero carbon act).
In order to save the planet, these global warming laws will need to hit that mark. We must demand strong climate laws right now in order to save our planet and there is no pause button on this – there is no time left to wait.
Why Should We Care about the Environment?
The environment we live in plays a big role on human survival. There are people out there who simply do not care about the environment, and for those people, we like to believe they’re just not educated on how important it is for us and it doesn’t have a direct effect on them.
You should definitely be concerned about the environment for more than one reason. Take a look at the reasons you should be concerned about the environment. A clean environment is required for healthy living.
The more you choose to look in the other direction and choose to not care about our environment, the more it will become polluted with toxins and containments that are detrimental to our health.
Air Pollution – for example, can cause respiratory disease and cancer, along with other diseases and problems. Then you have water pollution, which can lead to diarrheal, typhoid diseases, and some other ones. Laws are being set so that local authorities have to promote this in order to help increase healthy living.
The Earth is Warming – For the sake of the future of the Earth and the future people who will make it their home, we have to do more to combat this climate change. Whether this is something you admit or not, the Earth is warming and the signs are all there. No, there’s no single event that makes this a trend, but all in all, this is something that is almost possible to ignore. For this reason, there are global warming regulations in place.
Biodiversity Shouldn’t be Ignored – Biodiversity is referring to the variety of animals, plants, and other living things we have in this world. Biodiversity can be influenced in a negative manner by degradation due to humans, habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and a variety of other things.
The People of the Future will Appreciate it – One of the many reasons you should be concerned about the environment is because people will have to live on this planet on the future, and If we keep the Earth in good condition, it will be easier for them to live.
The Earth is Our Home – Of course, this is the one place where we live, there is not other place, so we need to take care of it.
What Are We Able to Do?
We are facing some tough problems right now, but don’t let that put you in the dark because there are things you can do. Actually, you don’t have to be a millionaire, you don’t even have to be an expert to help save this planet from destruction.
Everyone can work together and do their part for the environment and by all means, pay attention to the climate change act and the laws that are popping up (they are there for a reason and will help save the planet we live on).
If each one of us were more conscious of environmental issues and we willing to take some extra steps to help save the planet, we would be making a major contribution.
What We Discovered
While researching the different climate change legislation out there, there were many facts we discovered. In this section of the article, we’re going to give you some interesting tidbits…
Each New Law – Every climate change law introduced has reduced yearly carbon dioxide emissions by at least 0.8 percent in the country the law was implemented and long term, by 1.8 percent.
2016 – In 2016, climate laws led to 5.9 gigatons less carbon dioxide being emitted. To give you a better understanding of this fact – that is more than the entire emissions in the USA in one year, One gigaton is equal to the combined weight of all of the humans in the world.
1999-2016 – From 1999 to 2016, we have only saved 38 gigatons of CO2 – that is one year’s worth of CO2 emissions globally.
For years, climate scientists have spent a large amount of time trying to convince politicians to agree to setting new climate laws. Climate change laws aren’t available in the same shape and size.
A Climate change law is measured by how much it would be able to reduce emissions and it all depends on how well a country is able to implant it by the government of that country. Some countries are doing a great job at creating and implementing climate laws.
Take Brazil as an example they have 28, while Spain has a total of 38. There are some that tackle a lot of issues, while you have others that aren’t as good. Brazil’s 28 climate change laws have not been implemented as well as they should and in return, they have not prevented Brazil’s deforestation.
A List of Climate Laws of the World
Clean Air Act 1963 – This is a federal law that is aimed at controlling air pollution on a national level. The EPA has place regulation to protect civilians from exposure to airborne contaminates that are harmful.
Energy Policy Act of 2005 – For nuclear power, $4.3 billion tax breaks were provided. $2.7 billion was to extend the renewable electricity production credit and a total of $1.6 billion in tax incentive for investment in known clean coal facilities.
Energy Independence and Security Act 2007 – This law introduced measures to expand the production of renewable fuels, increase energy security and reduce US dependence on oil. A mandatory Renewable Fuel Standard required fuel producers to use at least 36 billion gallons of biofuel by the year 2022. In this act, you will also find provisions on lighting.
Our Opinion on Creating Laws
During the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns were implemented around the world – politicians were able to make laws that would change a person’s behavior. When people were required to stay home, greenhouse gas emissions were greatly reduced. However, the pandemic also had a negative effect on the economies of countries.
There are some politicians who would like to reduce emissions while helping the economy by putting more money towards renewable energy, like solar power, electric cars, and wind farms. If you would like to start doing your part right now as soon as you’re done reading this article, go ahead and start by shutting a light off in your home and cut down on the energy use. You can switch to LED lighting and avoid leaving your appliances on standby.