The Climate Crisis and Roles of Individuals
The Climate Crisis and Roles of Individuals
The climate crisis is no longer just a warning from scientists for the future, it is on our doorstep. Forest fires, changing climate normals, water scarcity and drought…
We are all very concerned.
Iklim Haber (Climate News) and KONDA Research have been carrying out comprehensive research every year since 2018 to measure the perception of Turkish people on the climate change. One of the most striking findings of the "Climate Change Perception and Energy Preferences in Turkey 2022" report is that 83% of Turkish people is concerned about climate change. This has been the highest rate since the first research conducted in 2018.
Moreover, 78% of participants state that climate change is human-induced, and only 2% of Turkish people think that 'there is no such thing as climate change'.
These figures are promising. Let us tell you why!
For example, one third of Americans deny that climate change is a result of human activities. Thus, the denial slows down the pace and impact of the measures that should be taken against the climate crisis. The overwhelming majority of Turkish people feeling 'concerned' clears the path for measures to be taken against the climate crisis.
Here comes the most striking question in mind:
Can the climate crisis be solved by individual efforts? Who is responsible?
Check our article for this critical issue.
The Unspoken Truth About the Global Climate Crisis
Globally 41 million people are on the edge of famine due to climate change. This number will increase in the following years. Changing climate conditions and increasing extreme weather events will cause so many people from India to Africa to become 'climate refugees'. Türkiye and the Mediterranean basin that the country is located within will be affected by the climate crisis the most.
This fact may seem dark to you. However, there are promising developments as well! Raising awareness, increasing investment in green energy and ascending efforts of scientists to prevent the climate crisis... We are all aware of Greta Thunberg's climate protest and the raising awareness of Generation Z. Moreover, global and local leaders keep renewing their commitment to action every day.
Individual awareness is being raised worldwide. Consuming less meat, preferring public transportation, insulating homes and workplaces and implementing energy efficiency practices... All of these actions are promising, necessary and significant developments.
However, we need to talk about an understated truth. Fossil fuel companies are responsible for two-thirds of carbon emissions worldwide. 2020 Carbon Majors Report reveals the fact.
Regarding the Climate Crisis and the Problem of ‘Individualization’
As mentioned above, fossil fuel companies are responsible for two-thirds of global carbon emissions. Yet, 'individual' solutions are stated vastly when 'measures to be taken against the climate crisis' are discussed. Leaders at the COP26 conference, which was held in October 2021, once again made the very same statements regarding individual responsibility and insisted that people change their consumption patterns.
So, what is the problem? Can we adopt some habits and changes to prevent the climate crisis?
Of course, we can! However, proposing to turn off the lights or drive less diminishes the global severity of the climate crisis and shifts the focus off those with the greatest capacity and responsibility to make meaningful change.
The Guardian columnist George Monbiot assesses the 'individual responsibility' story as a PR activity of the fossil fuel industry. Although the statement of Monbiot may seem harsh in the first place, the situation may change when you learn that it was a fossil fuel company that first introduced the concept of "carbon footprint".
Melissa Aronczyk, the author of A Strategic Nature: Public Relations and the Politics of American Environmentalism, describes it as “misdiagnosing and misunderstanding the scale and scope of the [climate crisis]”. According to Aronczyk, the individualization of responsibility allows fossil fuel companies, states and local governments to downplay their role in the climate crisis.
In brief, all we need to achieve net zero is to save a few kilowatts of energy at home, but not to skip a holiday abroad… in this way, we will not be able to miraculously achieve the net zero emissions target by 2050. Therefore, the issue of 'personal responsibility' carries the risk of delaying the required climate actions by states and companies.
Who is Responsible for the Climate Crisis?
At the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, daily global CO2 emissions decreased by 17% compared to 2019 levels. The drop is high! However, the fact that this decrease is not even higher gives an idea of the role of individual lifestyle changes on the total global emissions…
In brief, it may be true that people eat meat, fly and drive too much. However, fundamental changes are required in our economy and infrastructure to achieve net zero emissions.
These fundamental changes have to happen in collaboration with the governments and large corporations. It is an indisputable fact that we cannot prevent the climate crisis unless we act collectively.
Policies, particularly regulations on transportation and heating, shall be amended actively. For example, removing subsidies for fossil fuels and imposing a carbon tax… These are all powerful first steps towards tackling climate change. Green energy investments must increase rapidly to take effective action against climate change. Getting organized for large-scale solutions shall be focused.
Moreover, when the question 'who is responsible?’ arises, it is possible to bring another perspective to the issue. Recent global research by the University of Leeds across 86 countries resulted as follows: The richest 10 percent of people consume nearly 20 times more energy than the poorest 10 percent. According to the research, a large portion of the increasing consumption of rich people is due to transportation, such as private jets, yachts etc.
Real Power of Individuals
Individuals and consumers have significant power when it comes to tackling climate change. For example, the term “sustainable” has become a reference point for high-quality clothing brands in the retail industry, as customers demand more ethically resourced and climate-positive products.
Behavioral change will also become significant in tackling climate change. If we are to move millions of people from gasoline cars to electric vehicles or from gas heating to electric heat pumps, people will have to have changes in their lives. That's why individual responsibility and raising public awareness have a significant role.
However, we have already explained that the frequently suggested solution of changing individual consumption habits is not enough. Ethically, yes, it is worthwhile to reduce meat consumption and use public transportation more often. But these changes alone cannot make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
Even though your individual actions are admirable, it is worthwhile to call particularly states, governments, local governments, and corporations to account. We, individuals, have the power of putting pressure on the decision-makers as the most effective 'solution'. The way to make it happen is to act collectively!
The real solution to the climate crisis is through implementing systemic changes. This is possible through amending national regulations, implementing policies to make transition to green energy sustainable, green investments and local transformation.
What we do at Enerjisa
We, at Enerjisa, are the leading electricity distribution, retail, customer solutions and e-mobility company in Türkiye. We consider the construction of our common future our responsibility.
It is a top priority for us to become a role model in our industry and be a pioneering company in green energy. Thus, 56% of our installed capacity is composed of domestic and renewable energy resources. We keep putting all our efforts for Türkiye as well as future generations through our 12 hydroelectric power plants, 5 wind power plants and 2 solar power plants.
We define all our priorities regarding our investments and strategies as part of sustainability. We continue to invest in renewable energy resources. We support the sustainability transformation of organizations via our services provided as part Enerjisa Energy of My Business projects. The SENTRUM project that we launched in Küçükköy, Ayvalık enabled us to develop sustainable tourism practices of future today. In order to get further details on SENTRUM and check the Green Destination Küçükköy report, please click here.
It is time to act, to rethink our impact on the world without despair. At Enerjisa, we will continue to shape our future starting from today.