The climate emergency is affecting our daily lives. This becomes more evident when we face extreme climate events, such as storms, hurricanes, high temperatures and severe droughts. This is a serious issue and, according the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), between 3.3 and 3.6 billion people in the world live in contexts that are highly vulnerable to climate change.

Finding solutions to this problem is complex, but urgent action is needed before the consequences become more serious. Here, we share what governments, companies and individuals can do to fight the climate emergency.

If we do nothing to stop global warming, what could happen to the world?

A bleak future awaits if nothing is done to address global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that average global temperatures could rise between 3.2°C and 5.4°C by the end of the century.

If this happens, heat waves, storms, hurricanes, floods and droughts will become much more frequent and intense. Additionally, sensitive ecosystems, such as coral reefs and tropical forests, may suffer irreversible damage or disappear completely. Changes in rainfall patterns and the increase in pests could accelerate food insecurity.

IPCC’s worst-case scenario is disastrous, and the projections made decades ago have been proven right by the climate events that are currently occurring. “The south of Brazil was identified as vulnerable to floods more than 10 years ago. We are a decade late in preparing the region. We need to align public and private management with the tools we have available,” says Gabriel Quintana, Climate and Emissions analyst at Imaflora.

What can governments and companies do to stop global warming?

Governments have a crucial role in regulating standards, implementing initiatives and creating climate targets to be adopted not only by public institutions, but also by the private sector. It is also the State’s role to ensure compliance with environmental standards—including by imposing sanctions, such as fines and fees.

This work requires a science-based approach, with data that clearly shows the current state of emissions in each country. Based on that, governments can develop coordinated and widespread efforts involving states and towns to reach the established targets.

The private sector must always commit to, at the very least, carrying out its production activities within the parameters established by governments. “Once emissions have been mapped out, it is essential to have a climate mitigation and adaptation plan, with public policies that provide legal support to reach targets set internally or by international agreements,” explains Gabriel, from Imaflora.

Businesses must also see themselves as part of the solution to transform economic chains and align them with emissions reduction and removal goals.

In addition, governments play a key role in implementing policies that encourage the transition to a low-carbon economy, investments in renewable energy, carbon pricing initiatives and the reduction of emissions by companies. “The private sector must adopt sustainable practices, and invest in clean technologies and carbon credit projects,” says Janaína Dallan, president of Aliança Brasil NBS. And companies can always do more than the bare minimum, expanding their role in the fight against the climate crisis.

What can individuals do to stop global warming?

Individual efforts are important to tackle the climate crisis. After all, making choices with sustainability in mind can create a wave of collective change.

One way to take action is to consume products from companies that care about sustainability. Another is to buy from local producers and businesses, a practice that shortens the production-to-consumption cycle and allows money to circulate within the community. Also, it is important to choose products made from renewable raw materials instead of using fossil-based items, such as those made from plastic and other petroleum products.

Thinking about how we get around is also key. Public transportation, such as buses and subways, is more sustainable than cars. Bicycles—which do not emit pollutants—are an excellent alternative for short trips.

Another interesting approach is to change our eating habits. If thousands of people replaced animal protein with vegetable protein just a few days a week, it would be enough to lower the demand for cattle raised on pastures.

Remember that the waste we produce also has an impact on the climate, as it emits greenhouse gases, such as methane, when it decomposes. Therefore, it is important to properly sort organic and recyclable waste and consume in moderation.

And, of course, you can always seek information about the climate crisis and the importance of adopting a more sustainable attitude, and share it with your friends and family. The more people are engaged, the better it is for the planet.

Suzano has several initiatives to tackle the climate crisis. Click here to learn more on the Climate and Carbon Market pages of this website.