Climate change is a pressing global issue that requires our immediate attention and concerted efforts. The scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the reality of climate change, its human causes, and the urgent need for action. Climate change poses significant risks and challenges to the environment, ecosystems, human health, economies, and social well-being.
Climate change impact is far-reaching and multifaceted. Rising global temperatures are causing more frequent and severe heatwaves, storms, droughts, and floods, resulting in devastating impacts on communities, infrastructure, and economies. The loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems further exacerbate the vulnerability of both natural and human systems. The unequal distribution of impacts disproportionately affects marginalized communities and exacerbates social inequalities.
It threatens food security, water availability, and public health, amplifying existing socio-economic challenges. It disrupts agricultural patterns, contributes to the spread of diseases, and intensifies natural disasters, leading to displacement and migration. The economic costs of climate change, in terms of damage and loss, are substantial and put additional strains on societies and governments.
EU efforts to limit climate change
The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of global efforts to mitigate climate change negative impac. It has implemented a range of policies and initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and fostering a transition to a low-carbon economy. The main EU establishment in this direction is the European Green Deal. The European Green Deal is a comprehensive policy framework and roadmap, which outlines the European Union’s ambitious plan to help make Europe the climate-neutral by 2050 and to transform its economy into a sustainable and resource-efficient one. The European Green Deal covers a wide range of sectors and aims to address not only climate change but also other environmental and social challenges.
Our efforts to limit climate change
Tackling climate change involves learning and being able to transfer knowledge within the society. It highlights the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to clean and renewable energy sources, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable practices across all sectors. It involves our involvement as individuals, limiting our personal impact on climate change and being able to help and assist our friends and families in improving their habits and limit potential harm to the environment.
Booklet on sustainability. Do you know climate change vocabulary?
We prepared a glossary of sustainability that aims to serve as a valuable resource which provides definitions and explanations of key terms and concepts related to sustainability in the European Union. Our aim is to help everyone clarify terminology regarding sustainability since it encompasses a wide range of interconnected concepts, disciplines, and practices. A glossary helps to define and clarify the terminology used in the field, ensuring a common understanding of terms among various stakeholders, researchers, practitioners, and the general public. It also prevents confusion and promotes effective communication.
We believe knowing these terms can contribute to possible (and necessary) involvement in society towards sustainability. Starting from a community, by internalizing these concepts people can use a common language and, thus, facilitate effective communication among stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. It enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary dialogue. Making the transition towards the decision-makers, a glossary helps in establishing consistent terminology and definitions within the field of sustainability. It aids in standardizing the language used in policies, guidelines, and regulations related to sustainability. This promotes coherence, comparability, and effective implementation of sustainability practices across different contexts.
You can access the Booklet on Sustainability here.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.