‘Climate Change‘ is a terrible term for the human activity induced environmental degradation currently underway.

The term is insipid and can lead to people dismissing the risks of ecosystem destruction and global warming caused by our excessive fossil fuel based energy consumption.

Better terms could be ‘Environmental Poisoning’ or ‘Pollution Induced Suffocation and Starvation’ (a bit extreme perhaps, but makes you think) – surely stronger branding is required for what is likely to be the most significant contributor to human suffering of our time ?

The United Nations, a traditionally conservative body, states this:

“It is now increasingly recognized that environmental degradation and climate change are major drivers in both forced and voluntary migration, and that this trend is set to continue and substantially increase in scale in decades to come.

Poverty, failing ecosystems, vulnerability to natural hazards and gradual climate-driven environmental changes are all linked to migration. Indeed it is expected that climate change will significantly affect migration in three distinct ways. First, the effects of warming and drying in some regions will reduce agricultural potential and undermine “ecosystem services” such as clean water and fertile soil. Second, the increase in extreme weather events – in particular, heavy precipitation and resulting flash or river floods in tropical regions – will affect ever more people and generate mass displacement. Finally, sea-level rise will permanently destroy extensive and highly productive low-lying coastal areas that are home to millions of people who will have to relocate permanently.

While the consequences of mass migration are not de facto negative, its main impacts overwhelmingly are. These include escalating humanitarian crises, rapid urbanization and associated slum growth, and stalled development. ”

(Link – UN Quote)

Climate change is not about it being a bit more balmy outside, it’s about disruption of habitat and species extinction leading to famine, mass migrations, social unrest and the emergence of police states in response.

It is clear that politicians are unwilling or unable to defy the power wielded by business. Normal everyday people need to take responsibility, exert pressure on business and politicians and adjust their behaviour of excessive consumption.  At the end of the day, we will be ones who bear the brunt of consequence from environmental degradation, not those in power.