Climate change is not a monolith, despite its singular name. Here are nine specific environmental crises from around the world — and what we can do as individuals to help.
Ocean acidification
Caribbean
The coral reefs and fisheries of the Caribbean are under severe threat from ocean acidification — but the impact is truly global. The dropping pH of ocean water means that shellfish, mollusks, and coral have a harder time building their shells and skeletons. In coastal communities dependent on oyster farms, lobster fishing, or coral reefs for tourism, the economic fallout is devastating.
What you can do about it: The primary culprit? Carbon pollution. Any steps we can take to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels will help.
Harmful algae blooms
The Baltic Sea
A bloom of toxic algae the size of Manhattan in the Baltic Sea closed beaches across northern Europe in 2019 and decimated the local fishing industry. While occasional algae blooms occur around the world, the size and intensity has only increased in recent years, affecting marine life and fishing industries in Lake Erie, Florida, and California.
What you can do about it: Algae blooms are linked to nitrogen and other agricultural byproducts. In addition to the usual efforts to address the climate emergency, we need to advocate for farms to use smarter, more eco-friendly fertilizers.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
In the Pacific Ocean, between California and Hawaii, there’s an expanse of mostly plastic, floating garbage that stretches 1.6 million square kilometers. That’s twice the size of Texas.
What you can do about it: The fewer single-use plastics we use, the less plastic will flow out into our oceans.
Contaminated drinking water
Flint, Michigan
“Everyone has a right to clean water, no matter what you look like, how much money you make, or which political party you favor,” Rhea Suh wrote in National Geographic. But as recent history shows, that is just not the case in cities like Flint, Michigan, where the drinking water had been contaminated for more than five years.
Around the world, the issue of water contamination is even more dire. Some 2 billion people drink water that’s contaminated with feces, leading to diarrhea, disease, and, especially for children 5 and younger, death.
What you can do about it: In the US, advocate for the return of clean water protections. Globally, support efforts like The Water Project which help transform entire communities by ensuring safe sources of water.
Deforestation
Brazil
Brazil is home to the bulk of the Amazon rainforest, sometimes called the “Earth’s lungs” for its role in absorbing greenhouse gasses. Yet, last year, deforestation in Brazil jumped nearly 30%, to the highest level in a decade. While illegal logging, ranching, and mining can all take blame, it’s really the political leadership that allows environmental degradation to happen.
What you can do about it: Political pressure on Brazil’s leadership is likely the most powerful thing anyone outside the country can do. Consumer boycotts of, say, palm oil or beef from clear-cut land have also been effective.
Wildfires
Australia
The harrowing bushfires across Australia didn’t officially end until mid-February 2020, after burned almost 80 days, across more than 27 million acres. Not only did the uncontrollable fires arrive amid the hottest, driest year on record in Australia, they also threw 400 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and decimated biodiversity.
What you can do about it: In addition to our overall efforts to address climate change, help advocate for and support new fire management techniques.
Groundwater depletion
Central Valley, California
The world’s aquifers are running dry, and yet agricultural industry still takes out more groundwater than is being replenished. During California’s most recent drought, which ended in March 2019, parts of the Central Valley, where much of the country’s food is grown, actually sank more than 2 feet from groundwater depletion.
What you can do: Advocate for sustainable groundwater management.
Air pollution
India
Six of the 10 most polluted cities in the world are in India, according to the latest World Air Quality Report. Air pollution kills up to a million Indian citizens every year.
What you can do: Help India follow China’s lead by cracking down on coal, tightening emission controls, and pursuing solar energy infrastructure.
Melting ice caps
Antarctica
According to recent data, the polar ice caps are melting much faster than they were even 25 years ago — six times faster. This acceleration has terrible implications for rising sea levels around the globe.
What you can do: Trying to stop the polar ice caps from melting feels insurmountable, but scientists have ideas. In the meanwhile, the combination of political advocacy and individual action, all in the name of climate support, is the best we can do.
