July 2023

Is Climate Change a Myth?

Or is it time for a Reality Check?

Written by Kerry Mullany

“There is no question that climate change is happening; the only arguable point is what part humans are playing in it.” 

Sir David Attenborough 

Even with the wisdom of a man who can bring the fight of two golden eagles in an alpine winter, practically live, to our living rooms, our nation still has more than double the global average of climate change deniers.

Though, our beaches are perfect here in Oz, David said... It’s time to get our heads out of the sand!

Before we sink into denial like we’re being accused of snoring, (we all know you definitely snore Debbie), let's go over some of the common niggling thoughts and questions surrounding the topic. 

OK, picture this… 

Mother Nature is throwing a massive party on Earth, but guess who the rowdy guests are; Yep, it's us humans; pumping out more greenhouse gases than a soda factory on steroids. 

We've got Carbon Dioxide refusing to leave the dance floor, Methane sneaking out like a stealthy ninja (mainly out the back-sides of cows), and the polar ice caps melting like a popsicle in the sun. 

And who invited Deforestation, who’s clearly had one too many Bundy’s and is now recklessly buzz-cutting Earth's lush forest’s locks in the corner, leaving bald patches and creating a down right grumpy atmosphere. Oh wait, that was us pesky humans too. 

Meanwhile Mother Nature is trying not to lose her hostess with the mostess reputation but she can not keep her cool any longer. The kettle has boiled and she is ready to whistle us humans right-on over to Mars for the afterparty, so that she can go to bed for good… *gulp*

 

If you didn't quite catch the definition: climate change is the long-term shifts in temperature patterns and weather conditions across the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land.

Since the 1800s, the primary driver of climate change has been human activity, increasing the severity of temperature changes as a result of adding more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

If climate change were a reality TV show, it would have more drama than Married at First Sight.

We've got rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events that are making Mother Nature seem like an unpredictable diva.

Yes, climate change is real. And it’s causing some serious problems.

2010-2011 Queensland floods: Massive flooding across Queensland, particularly in Brisbane and surrounding areas, resulted in widespread damage, displacement of thousands of residents, and loss of lives.

2012-2013 Tasmanian bushfires: Large-scale bushfires swept through parts of Tasmania, destroying homes and properties, and leading to the loss of significant vegetation and wildlife.

2013 New South Wales bushfires: A prolonged period of hot and dry conditions fueled bushfires across New South Wales, including the Blue Mountains and Sydney. The fires caused significant destruction and prompted a state of emergency.

2014 South Australian bushfires: A series of bushfires broke out in the Adelaide Hills region, leading to the loss of homes, infrastructure, and livestock.

2016-2017 Great Barrier Reef bleaching events: Elevated ocean temperatures caused widespread coral bleaching events in the Great Barrier Reef, resulting in significant damage to the world's largest coral reef system.

2019-2020 Australian bushfire season: The most devastating bushfire season in recent memory, spanning multiple states. It resulted in widespread destruction, loss of human and animal lives, and significant ecological damage. The fires burned for months and impacted millions of hectares of land.

2020 East Coast Low: A series of intense low-pressure systems hit the east coast of Australia, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and widespread flooding to areas of New South Wales and Queensland.

2020-2021 La Niña and floods: The La Niña weather pattern brought above-average rainfall to various parts of Australia, leading to extensive flooding in regions such as New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia.

2021 Western Australia tropical cyclone: Tropical Cyclone Seroja hit Western Australia, causing widespread damage and power outages, particularly in the towns of Kalbarri and Northampton.

2022 The Great Deluge: Record-breaking rain and floods lashed large parts of Eastern Australia, causing untold devastation for Australians. FYI: Climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas, was a major factor in the Great Deluge.

 

… just to name a few extreme weather events over the last decade, in Australia alone.  

Need bigger scale proof? Take a quick look at Nasa’s Global Climate Change Data 

 

It’s true, the Earth's climate has naturally fluctuated over millions of years, but the current concern revolves around the rapid changes occurring within a relatively short timeframe. Largely attributed to the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and deforestation that contribute to harmful emissions.

Some people may deny climate change pretending it's just a wild conspiracy cooked up by penguins in disguise. But when the scientific community is more united than a flock of flamingos in a synchronised dance, it's hard to argue with the facts. Cheers for capturing that pink promenade, Sir David. 

This isn't some new phenomena that scientists have confirmed in recent years, it’s something that was confirmed decades ago. Watch this video about three historical pioneers who predicted climate change.

The reason it’s circling the media a lot more nowadays is because scary changes are starting to impact life on earth. The events above are evidence we can’t ignore.

Extensive research, data analysis, multiple lines of scientific inquiry, studies of temperature records, ice cores, ocean currents, and computer models… have provided strong evidence and contributed to our understanding of climate change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has been at the forefront of assessing this scientific proof on climate change. Its reports are based on the comprehensive reviews of thousands of scientific studies and involve the expertise of numerous scientists from around the world.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the global body responsible for assessing the science behind climate change. Established by the United Nations in 1988, the IPCC is a collection of world scientists and governments that work to advance scientific knowledge about climate change caused by human activities.

Need more assurance they know their stuff?

Let's just say, they won the Nobel Prize… (mic drop). 

What are the consequences for us now?

What are the consequences for us now?

Think your worst hangover, but 7.8 billion (the number of people on earth) times worse

= thats one hell of a headache. 

Climate change is like a prankster with a twisted sense of humour. It cranks up the heat and throws extreme weather parties like hurricanes and floods, leaving us scrambling for cover. It's like Mother Nature's way of saying, 'Hey, guess what? Your umbrella won't save you now!'. 

Sea-levels will rise even more, giving beachfront property a whole new meaning. 

Snowball fights are becoming water balloon battles. 

Oh, and let's not forget the animals. Climate change is like a talent show judge, giving some species a one-way ticket to extinction. 

 

What are the consequences for us now?
What can we do to stop climate change?

What can we do to stop climate change?

We can't stop climate change, but we can take action to slow down the cycle and stabilise the conditions, so we too, don’t go extinct. 

Before we share how… It's great to have you on board.
Thank you for acknowledging the reality of climate change. 

Now, it’s time to have some fun with it.

What can we do to stop climate change?

Before anything else, we need to sharpen up our party-etiquette and stop mis-behaving. A super easy way to do this is by swapping fossil fuels for renewable energy. 

Fun part: clean energy means a clean conscience. Switching to renewables is a simple way to continue living life as you are, only better!

Let's apologise to Mother Earth by making more eco-friendly choices like installing your very own solar and battery system.

(Actions always speak louder than words and some big actions are needed when it comes to climate change).

Fun part: you save money on your bills!

 

Hmm, niggling thought alert: easier said than done, solar is expensive.

With Smart Energy, you can install a solar and battery system at ZERO up front cost!

Give us a buzz to find out more 1300133055

The more people shifting the narrative and taking action, the quicker we can clean up the mess we’ve all made. 

Fun part: if your mate installs a system with us, you could get a referral bonus!

It's a Win-win!

It's a Win-win!

Let’s turn this climate change party into a celebration of saving cash and the planet!

Besides, we're pretty sure Mars doesn't have Great Northern beer yet, so until it does, we'll have to keep on groovin' here on earth!

It's a Win-win!

DISCLAIMER: Though we have used light-hearted humour in this blog to help swallow the reality of climate change, Smart Energy would like to acknowledge that climate change is a serious global issue. We encourage everyone to take action in addressing the climate crisis to the best of their abilities.

We are here to help you say NO to fossil fuels and make the switch to renewables an easy and affordable choice. 

Save Money & the Planet!

Whack a solar system on your roof for No Upfront Cost!!




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