Let's talk climate and act together

Imagine a hall full of climate experts and decision-makers! We have been hearing about climate change, and here we are in Oman with experts and speakers from 50 countries at Oman Climate Week organised by the Environment Authority.

Oman is building a serious and increasingly feasible climate agenda, said Mukhtar Babayev, president of COP29 and representative of the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Climate Affairs.

He explained that the drought is no longer simply a drought when it affects food production, electricity generation, migration and livelihoods. A flood is not simply a flood when it damages infrastructure, interrupts the supply chain and creates new public health risks.

It is important we hear what the experts have to say and incorporate it into our day-to-day conversations.

And this is why: Dr Roberta Boscolo, Lead for Climate and Energy at the World Meteorological Organization, affirmed that the latest climate data confirms the continued warming of the planet and oceans, as well as rising sea levels and melting glaciers.

Haven't there been so many occasions when you wished you had known it earlier? The world would know how to manage better if there was an early warning for natural disasters. But most of the time nature has had the last laugh. Of course, meteorology has advanced so much more, but a melting glacier still shocked the world when disaster hit Nepal.

If prevention is what we are striving for, it is also our duty to contribute to the journey of crisis management to recovery. According to Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, there is a close interlinkage between climate change and biodiversity loss, emphasising that ecosystems serve as one of the most vital natural lines of defence against the impacts of climate change.

So can you and I as individuals help prevent climate change by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions? Let us think together. Here are some effective actions we came across.

Let us begin with using energy efficiently by turning off unused lights. Let us not wait for Earth Day to take this action. You and I can take this action now. With this action we will be using energy efficiently. We save energy by turning off unused lights and appliances, use energy-efficient bulbs and appliances, and reduce unnecessary air-conditioning. The last one is a bit challenging for us, especially in summer.

Choosing cleaner transport is another action we can all take. Walk, cycle, use public transport, carpool, or choose an electric/hybrid vehicle when practical. Carpool is such a practical action that could relieve car parking stress and ease road traffic.

Now here is a challenge – going easy with shopping. This is an era of fast fashion and online shopping. But the key words are 'reduce', 'reuse', and 'recycle' – we need to buy only what we need and avoid single-use products. Maybe it is a good idea to learn to repair items and recycle materials properly.

Eat more sustainably, say the experts – reduce food waste and consider eating more plant-based foods, while choosing locally and seasonally available foods when possible.

From childhood we are told to conserve water, but are there occasions when we become careless? Fix leaks, take shorter showers, and avoid unnecessary water use, since treating and pumping water requires energy and money, especially for us in Oman as we use desalinated water.Protect and restore nature – in this regard we have seen so many government and individual initiatives that aim at caring for trees and native plants, protecting green spaces, and supporting conservation efforts.

Make responsible purchases – choose durable, energy-efficient products and support businesses that use sustainable practices.

"Use your voice" – this is an extremely important part of it all. Learn about climate issues, encourage friends and communities to take action, and support policies and ideas that promote climate solutions.

Lakshmi Kothaneth

The writer is a senior editor of Observer