The world has not been as polluted as in the last 4 billion years. Pollution has increased over the years and eventually caused changes in climates and ecosystems. Since the 1800s, using conventional energy fuels has been seen as the leading cause of climate change. Especially the use of coal has been a massive factor in the planet's pollution. The process has accelerated due to using fossil fuels such as oil and gas in human activities. Misuse of energy has been the main driving force in accelerating change.
Climate change has become the most significant problem threatening humanity. With the destruction of clean air and water resources, there will not be a fair distribution of food, many respiratory diseases such as asthma will increase, and shelter will end due to natural disasters such as floods. In short, global warming will negatively affect our health, chances of growing food, shelter, and security. The global temperature should be limited, not exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, studies show that the temperature increase will reach 2.8 degrees by the end of this century. Everyone should take responsibility and take precautions to stop disasters that will happen. In the face of this situation, new concepts have begun to emerge in anxious and conscious societies. "Climate Activism" is one of them.
Climate activism has turned into a social movement after the world wars and with the increase of industrialization. It has come to life with manifestos and protests over the years. They work to raise awareness of the environmental wrongs of the public and governments. But in addition to mobilizing societies, they have now acquired different missions. Getting the support of the public or the public no longer leads to a solution, even if it affects governments. It is an inadequate solution that does not achieve the expected effect and movement. The most important reason for this is the resumption of the process each time with a change of government. That's why activists turned to the world of business and finance.
The legitimacy of this target has also increased with the growth of the private sector against the states with each passing day, and even the turnover of certain brands exceeding the GDP of the states. It would not be right to talk about real change if those who hold real power do not change. For this reason, states or organizations such as the United Nations, which were understood to be the only way to involve the private sector, were triggered, and the private sector was introduced with a new term. The concept of ESG has entered their lives, and the Turkish equivalent of environmental and social governance-oriented transformation has started in the private sector. Climate activists have done such a great job bringing out the real culprits and putting their hands under their stones to save our future. No matter how exaggerated and radical the activists may seem in the eyes of the public (they have recently damaged works of art, etc.), it was essential for our future that they took these steps.
It should be the primary duty of every human being to protect nature so that the Earth continues to spin for us, and escape to other planets is not the only hope. Climate activism is one of the most important forces to save our future.
Author:
Çağın Ergün