WEAKENING CARBON SINK

Following up on last week, there are more disturbing climate change data surfacing as the Earth warms. Governments continue to ignore these data at their peril – indeed the peril of all of us. Trump and climate change deniers continue to fail to act but they really, really need at least to try to follow the undeniable scientific results and act.

The record heat of 2024 and now 2025 is causing terrestrial planetary ecosystems to emit almost as much CO₂ as they absorb from the atmosphere. Data for 2024 reveal a record increase in atmospheric CO₂ when we also saw 1.5^o planetary warming for the first time plus extreme weather of many kinds and it seems the signs of failure of terrestrial ecosystems to absorb the carbon they would be expected to due to wildfires, drought and related results of climate change[1]. Even in the UK, as reported by the BBC, by last April[2], the area burnt by wildfires as indicated by satellite data was “already higher than the total for any year in more than a decade” with >29,200 ha burnt. Since then, there have been even more fires over large areas of the countryside. The degradation of peatlands, which are important carbon sinks, adds to the problem.

Notably, hot and wet conditions accelerate ecosystem decomposition which emits more carbon. There is much we don’t know, but all the scientific data gathered suggest an increasing and devastating crisis if we don’t make serious efforts to halt climate warming. Easy to say but not so easy to do, of course, especially when countries and their political leaders spend so much time in denial or fighting each other instead of collaborating in a global effort to halt climate heating. As individuals, there are things we can do, though, which collectively, would make a difference despite political dithering. I know a few may be distasteful or impractical for some, but here’s a list of suggestions to consider – food for thought: 

 Reduce your Carbon Footprint

1. Drive less or drive an electric vehicle:
• Use public transport, bike, walk, carpool.
• Choose a fuel-efficient vehicle if you can’t go all electric.
2. Fly less:
• Limit air travel when possible.
• Offset emissions if you have to fly (via verified carbon offset programmes).
3. Conserve energy at home:
• Use LED lighting, smart thermostats and energy-efficient appliances.
• Insulate your home and seal leaks to reduce heating needs; avoid air conditioning whenever you can.
• Switch to renewable energy providers if possible.

Adopt a Sustainable Diet

1. Eat less meat and dairy:
• Livestock farming is a major emitter of greenhouse gases.
• Emphasise plant-based meals.
2. Reduce food waste:
• Plan meals, store food properly, and compost leftovers.
• Buy locally produced food/seasonal food whenever you can to reduce emissions from long-distance transportation.

Change Consumption Habits

1. Buy less, choose wisely:
• Focus on quality over quantity, and consider second-hand options.
2. Support sustainable brands:
• Favour companies with transparent climate policies and eco-friendly products.
3. Avoid fast fashion:
• Choose clothing that does not go out of fashion quickly or at all and recycle or donate old clothes.

Civic Engagement

1. Vote for climate-conscious politicians (yes, there are a few!) and policies.
2. Support climate legislation and local environmental initiatives.
3. Advocate sustainable practices at work, school, and/or in your community.

Educate and Influence Others

1. Talk about climate change:
• Share reliable information with friends and family.
2. Support climate education in schools.
3. Join or donate to environmental organisations.

Waste Less

1. Recycle properly.
2. Minimise single-use plastics.
3. Repair instead of replacing items when possible.

Support Nature-Based Solutions

1. Plant native trees and other native plants.
2. Support or donate to conservation projects.
3. Don’t use peat.

No one person can solve climate change, but millions of people making small, intentional changes can push society toward greater, systemic transformation.

Betts Ecology work to reduce impacts that aggravate climate change: although we shall all end up as star dust one day in the far future, it would be nice to see politicians stop accelerating our demise!

[1] See, for example, the work of Guido van der Werf, Professor of Landscape Fires and Carbon Cycle at Wageningen University in the Netherlands https://www.wur.nl/en/persons/guido-van-der-werf.htm.

[2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0m9gm3jwljo.