Why we’re shitting ourselves about climate change, and why you should be scared too
We know some people think sustainability is all about tree hugging and veganism but sustainability is actually about finding a BALANCE between environment, community and economy.
That means considering all three not just profit.
Sustainability means improving economic development while considering social responsibility. It’s meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to fulfil their needs. It’s about recognising that the environment is an exhaustible resource! And that we can’t keep pretending otherwise.
It’s important to use resources rationally and protect the environment for the good of humanity and all living things. So that everyone enjoys social justice and a high quality of life.
Admirable intentions, right? but to be honest, FEAR was our most powerful motivation! It’s scary how not taking action against climate change is risking our lives as well as the whole ecosystem of our planet.
If we don't take action it’s inevitable that climate change will make our planet extremely inhospitable for all life.
So, yeah, we are admitting that we are motivated by FEAR and here is why:
HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS AFFECTING OUR LIFES
This year, the United Nations (IPCC) stated that a certain amount of global warming is locked in and is already IRREVERSIBLE. This means that within the next two decades, global temperatures are likely to rise 1.5 degrees Celsius.
1.5 degrees might not sound like much but the consequences are severe - Virtually all coral reefs will die - Extremely powerful ‘unheard of’ storms will become common - Major cities will flood.
Did we mention that this is exponential? As 2 degrees in climate change is not just a little bit worse than 1.5 degrees, it's multiple times worse! It's likely that when one eco system fails it will have a knock on effect like dominoes and accelerate climate change.
In 2018, the IPCC warned that we only have until 2030 to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Yet little has changed since then to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That’s terrifying.
According to NASA, 2020 tied 2016 as the hottest year on record! With these trends, and as the human impact on the climate increases, we have to expect that records will continue to be broken.
More than 1 million species are at risk of extinction by climate change. Scientists estimate dozens of species of plants and animals currently go extinct each day — nearly 1,000 times the natural rate. By mid-century, as many as 30% to 50% of the total species found on Earth will have disappeared. This can knock whole ecosystems out of balance.
Climate change is already happening, and it’s detrimental to human life, too:
Rising temperatures — coupled with a growing number of people in cities and an increasing population of elderly — have increased heat-related deaths, worsening air quality.
Lower crop production leading to food shortages.
Increased spread of infectious diseases.
Threatened freshwater deposits leading to drought.
A warming world also increases the intensity of natural disasters. Wildfires ripped through California in 2021— claiming more than 2,000,000 acres of land.
Hurricanes are reaching new extremes, too. The frequency of high intensity hurricanes has increased over the last 30 years. It has become immensely more difficult to escape these storms unscathed, and it will only get harder in the future.
Autumn, winter, and spring are growing shorter in the US, while summer extends into the supposedly cooler months. That disrupts the natural interactions between species, their habitats, and their migration patterns.
The scariest thing is that despite all the information that we already have, many leaders still aren’t taking it seriously!
Five years since the Paris Agreement and NONE of the world’s major economies are on track to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
So, maybe you are wondering how sustainability and climate change are related? And why we are giving you these facts. Well, a warming planet is a major challenge for sustainability.
Human activities that contribute to climate change are, by definition, not sustainable, as they alter the very planet we depend on for all our needs. But climate change also makes it harder to find sustainable solutions by creating new problems.
Those are just SOME facts that made us shit ourselves and start taking action in becoming a sustainable business.
SUSTAINABILITY IN BUSINESS
In the business world, sustainability is associated with an organisation’s holistic approach, taking into account everything, from manufacturing to logistics to customer service. In our particular case, as an animation agency, we have the power to help our clients reach a wider audience and drive that audience to action.
Therfore we are always looking to work with business, tech-companies or organisations with a focus on sustainability and positive impact for our society.
Technology has the power to improve people's lives, and tackle some of the biggest challenges we face, such as climate change. We love helping customers discover new and exciting solutions through the work we create.
We’re implementing policies in the business like planting trees for every new customer that we get. We do this through a business call Ecologi and our clients can access a online forest that shows their company name against trees planted. It's a visual representation of trees planted IRL because seeing is believing!
We are taking measures in the office, simple things that everybody can do in their own business. Like trying to repair equipment, eat less meat, recycle, avoid buying plastic things, reduce food waste, walk more or take public transport instead of using the car, sourcing ethical banking and pension services.
But frankly it's all bullshit.
There's a limit to what individuals and small businesses can achieve. This problem requires systemic change, big corporations need to be held accountable and governments need to act now - That is why the most important thing you can do is vote and act sustainably so that people in power start taking notice.
It only took a small percentage of the UK population to bring about Brexit, and it would only take 10-15% of the population to make sustainability a priority to create a change.
As we said before, it is about finding balance between environment, community and economy - not hugging trees or taking shorter showers. But we need a change in attitudes and goals.
We are proud to say that Only the Bold is taking action to be more sustainable, taking into account everything; the resources we use, the way we treat people and the economic benefits for our clients.
BENEFITS OF EMBRACING SUSTAINABILITY
Going green is beneficial for our well being but it also maximises the benefits for society, such as:
Ensures that we make ethical choices that bring a safe and livable future to everyone including the species of our planet.
Reduces energy costs. Some quick initiatives, like turning off the lights we are not using. Using solar and wind energy, along with energy-efficient equipment, reduces monthly utility bills.
In the long-term, our society benefits from improved water and air quality, reduced landfills, and increased renewable energy sources. Being committed to sustainability will reduce our carbon footprint and the amount of toxins released into the environment, making it safer.
Encouraging the conservation of natural resources deeply penetrates not only in our business standards and brand, but also people we work with. If you make sustainability important in your business, you’re bringing a deeply important conversation to the forefront of consumerism. The impact on society can reach far and wide.
By making a lot of simple choices, you can easily make changes in your life and in our society. So to commemorate today the “Earth Day”, we are sharing with you a short list of easy changes to live sustainably every day.
IF WE DO NOT ACT NOW, WHEN?
Choosing to live a sustainable lifestyle does not mean you’ll have to give things up or reduce your quality of life at all! In fact, you’ll feel more fulfilled and happy knowing your contributing to a better world:
Choose Sustainable Billing Options. Every person and business on the planet has bills that need to be paid. So go paperless - E-billing makes your life easier and is better for the environment.
Use Sustainable Products. Tons of companies make sustainability a priority. From clothing, to beauty brands, to food and energy companies.
Businesses can take a lot of simple steps to achieve more sustainable practices, such as using bamboo instead of disposable plastic cutlery, replacing fluorescent tubes with LED bulbs, and hiring waste treatment contractors, etc.
Make Transportation Adjustments. Try to avoid automobiles as much as possible, at least for short distances. It will help reduce carbon emissions, thus saving the environment. You can opt for an electric car, bike, or run or walk if you live in a walkable city.
If you can’t walk or use public transportation, opt to carpool. You can offer to drive coworkers and friends rather than ride together. Or hitch a ride whenever possible.
Choose Sustainable Food and Beverages. You can shop at local farmers markets to get tasty farm-fresh produce from local providers. Shopping at farmers markets helps reduce carbon emissions from transportation. You can also just choose brands that have committed to sustainable practices.
Choose Reusable Products. Opt for reusable bottles on the go. Choose reusable towels over paper towels, reusable bags over paper or plastic bags. Also, use reusable food storage containers etc.
Cut Down On Plastic. Every year, thousands of sea turtles, seabirds, and other marine mammals die because of plastic. So cut down on your plastic waste by using reusable bags and avoid plastic-made products. Plastic is not biodegradable, so it ends up in landfills unless reused by a brand committed to sustainability.
Recycle. Recycling is the very least everyone should be doing at this point. It’s so easy and convenient to recycle. Simply make sure you have a recycle bin in your home, business, etc.
Let's make Earth Day Every Day!
Visit: https://www.earthday.org