The Importance of Environmental Awareness

What is environmental awareness all about?

We're talking about a concept that is becoming more and more prevalent in the public conversation about the future. Awareness of an issue reflects the level of knowledge we have as individuals about that issue, and environmental awareness, refers to knowledge about the current state of the environment and the consequences of the increase in its deterioration, the possible solutions, and the conversation about our future unless we, as a society, reverse the damage done to the planet. 

At the institutional level, each country has its own organizations within the political and administrative system that are responsible for ensuring the environmental protection . And at the international level, the United Nations, has been the leading organization in bringing attention to the issue and encouraging countries to join forces in reverse the damage caused to the environment, and thus reduce the alarming levels of pollution we are currently facing; by carrying out annually climate summits to agree on a course of action.

Major climate summits:

• • Berlin (1995): It is significant because it marked the first time that so many countries sat down together to acknowledge the serious problem of environmental degradation and the actions that needed to be taken as the new century approached. 
  • Kyoto (1997): The Kyoto Protocol to commit the world's leading industrialized countries to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Nairobi (2006): The agreements reached and signed under the Kyoto Protocol take full effect, with 180 countries having acceded to it.
  • Paris (2015): The Paris Agreement was adopted, committing 192 signatory countries to take action through 2020 with the goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees.

How is the planet doing?

According to the latest reports released by  IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), greenhouse gases (the main cause of global warming) have been rising steadily since 1959, when levels were around 315 ppm (parts per million), and reached a peak of 411 ppm in 2019. Starting in 2020. For the first time, we have begun to flatten the growth curve, dropping to 409 ppm; even so, we have not been able to prevent global temperatures in 2021 from being 0.81 °C above pre-industrial average levels. 

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations since 1700, with data from Mauna Loa since 1958. Source: NOAA. elsaltodiario

Consequences of Global Warming

• Increase in Storm Intensity: Rising temperatures have a direct impact on the intensity of precipitation worldwide and increase the frequency of these storms, which are causing more and more floods and landslides.

• Rising temperatures: Clearly, the planet is getting hotter and hotter, and heat waves are becoming more intense and frequent, leading to an increase in heat-related illnesses and wildfires.

• More drought: Droughts not only cause intense sandstorms that carry dust across entire continents, but they also threaten agriculture.
• Endangered species: Much of the planet's flora and fauna is unable to adapt to temperature changes the way humans do, making it increasingly difficult for them to survive and, as a result, leading to the extinction of many species.
• Rising sea levels: The melting of the polar ice caps caused by rising temperatures is so significant that sea levels are rising. This poses a serious threat to numerous communities and cities around the world.

Image of the polar ice caps melting. National Geographic

Because of this—and a very long list of other consequences for the planet, for us, and for future generations—it is so important to take a environmental awareness at the collective level as soon as possible. Above all, cAs professionals, we have a responsibility to apply and educate ourselves on environmental conservation standards and the reduction of pollutant emissions. That is why Structuralia offers a wide range of master's programs in the field of sustainability and environmental awareness.