The facts are clear. Global temperatures are rising due to greenhouse gas emissions originating from human activity. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature. This climate change poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on earth.

Heatwaves, storms and floods, frequent droughts and widespread lack of water have become too frequent. And there is a growing consensus that we are heading for an environmental disaster unless we change our habits quickly. Therefore, there has been a renewed sense of urgency to limit global warming to 1.5°C of the pre-industrial levels. Anything beyond 2°C will spell doom.

Therefore, the theme for this year’s World Earth Day celebrated today—Invest in our planet—could not have been more appropriate. This is a rallying call for all to act boldly, innovate broadly and implement equitably to preserve and protect our health, families and livelihoods.

The day comes at a time the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, published on April 5, warns of the dire consequences of inaction on the climate crisis.

The situation we are faced with is a result of more than a century of unsustainable energy and land use, lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production.

However, despite the gloomy picture the IPCC report paints of the future, we still have time to solve the climate crisis. There is a window of opportunity for the world to choose a prosperous and sustainable future, and build a healthy planet for posterity. But that time is short and unless we act decisively and urgently, we are destined for a perilous future.

A study by Ipsos a few days before the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment report indicates there is rising pressure for governments and businesses to lead action against climate change. The Two years on: Lessons from Covid times report found that although Covid disrupted the way we live, it didn’t dent our concern for climate change.

Covid offered us an opportunity for change—to take a more sustainable approach that could protect the long-term viability of business and pay more attention to environmental and social outcomes.

Ipsos 2021 Earth Day study found two-thirds of the global public say government and business will be failing employees, consumers and citizens if they do not take the lead in influencing actions towards reducing global warming responsible for climate change. Globally, only 31 per cent believe their market has a clear plan in place for how government, businesses and people themselves are going to tackle the crisis.

Opinion is divided on whether tackling climate change should or should not be a priority in post-pandemic economic recovery. Globally, 36 per cent agree climate change should not be a priority, while 35 per cent disagree. 

Citizens have given the government a clear mandate to act. The issue is how fast government and business can embed sustainability and climate action into present structures, or new ones that are being established.

Research has revealed that by understanding the barriers to sustainable actions, businesses and governments can make the changes that will enable people to do their part. 

We have seen from the Covid experience how leadership can rally people behind a cause. People were united in implementing a raft of measures outlined by governments to contain the pandemic.

Climate change can be dealt with, too, with clear leadership from experts and powers that be. As individuals, we can also slow down global warming by implementing small more sustainable actions within our community.

As we mark Earth Day it behoves all of us to understand the planet cannot survive without us just like we, too, cannot survive without the planet. The planet is our common ground and every living thing sustains the whole. We must invest to protect it and protect our future.

— The writer is managing director, Ipsos Kenya