Why do we need climate literacy? – 07/17/2023 – Why? Economês in good Portuguese

Do you know what climate change is?

Do you know the relationship between human activities and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

Have you heard of climate injustice?

Do you know how to make decisions thinking about mitigation and adaptation to the effects of climate change?

Only one in ten people in Brazil can correctly answer these questions.

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in Earth’s weather patterns over time. This phenomenon affects several elements of the climate, such as temperature, precipitation, winds and regional weather patterns, being considered one of the greatest challenges faced by humanity.

Climate change is driven by increased concentrations of GHG in the atmosphere, whose main driving factors are human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and intensive agriculture. The effects of climate change are far-reaching and include global warming, changes in rainfall and drought patterns, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and ice caps, ocean acidification, as well as an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as storms, heat waves and floods.

This causes significant negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, water availability, human health and many socio-economic aspects, including climate injustice. Climate injustice refers to disparities and inequalities in the distribution of the burdens and impacts of climate change. Despite being a global phenomenon, its effects are felt disproportionately by vulnerable communities and countries. People who contribute the least to GHG emissions suffer the most from the impacts of extreme weather events, the scarcity of natural resources and the loss of livelihoods. These communities often have less resources and capacity to adapt and recover from the damage caused by climate change, and many climate refugees emerge from them, people forced to leave their homes in search of safer regions.

Although extreme weather events have taken up more space in the media and social networks, we still face a problem of climate illiteracy. Knowledge of climate change, its causes, impacts and potential solutions is still limited.

To effectively deal with this complex challenge, it is essential that we develop climate literacy, which involves the ability to understand, interpret and make decisions taking into account climate issues. This includes knowledge of the scientific underpinnings of climate change and its impacts. This knowledge is essential for policy-making and informed decision-making at global, national and local levels. Understanding public policies, international agreements and innovative solutions is important so that every citizen can demand effective measures from our governments and contribute to more robust collective action.

Climate literacy also involves the ability to discern reliable weather information. Faced with the rise of fake news and misinformation, it is essential to know how to identify reliable sources with solid scientific data to form opinions and make decisions related to climate change.

Therefore, it is essential that the theme be integrated in a transversal way in school curricula, from elementary school to higher education. This requires training teachers, developing appropriate content and using teaching and learning methodologies that encourage protagonism in climate-related issues.

This knowledge will help us push for the implementation of mitigation measures, which include increasing investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, waste management, sustainable agriculture, reforestation and environmental conservation.

With regard to adaptation measures, it is important that we build more resilient infrastructure, such as efficient drainage systems, using weather-resistant materials. We must develop strategies to better manage water resources, considering altered rainfall patterns and periods of prolonged drought. This involves the construction of reservoirs, the implementation of water conservation techniques and proper planning for the use of this resource.

Adopting drought-resistant crops, implementing efficient irrigation systems and diversifying crops can increase the resilience of agriculture.

Investing in technologies such as climate monitoring and forecasting systems will enable better preparedness and response to climate impacts. Furthermore, it is crucial to conserve and restore natural ecosystems such as mangroves, forests and coral reefs, which play an important role in providing vital ecosystem services for climate protection.

Urban planning should also include expanding green areas, planning drainage spaces and promoting sustainable building practices. This helps reduce the vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather events.

At the individual level, changing behavior includes adopting sustainable consumption practices, such as choosing products and services with less environmental impact throughout their life cycle. Another fundamental change is the option for renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels, such as installing solar panels or choosing energy suppliers that use clean energy in their operations. With regard to mobility, give preference to low-impact transport options such as walking, cycling or using shared or public transport. Implementing waste reduction, recycling and reuse practices at a personal and business level is also important to reduce excessive use of resources such as water and energy. In addition, it is essential to consider sustainability criteria when making financial investments, preferring to invest in companies with sustainable practices, socially responsible investment funds and projects that promote positive climate actions.

Finally, it is important to participate in social movements and support advocacy for more sustainable policies and practices. This includes supporting sustainability initiatives and pressuring public and business leaders to adopt more responsible practices.

Climate literacy leads us to understand how our daily actions affect the climate and other people and can enhance the role in the adoption of sustainable practices, aiming to minimize negative impacts and build a sustainable, safe, fair and inclusive future.