Challenge of raising climate change awareness

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) - From Oct. 31 to Nov. 12, Glasgow hosted the COP26, a summit that brought countries together to facilitate faster actions that would fulfill the Paris Agreement signed in COP21 in 2015.

The main aim is to limit global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius that requires further cuts in carbon dioxide emissions and reduction in the use of coal, as it is responsible for 40% of the annual CO2 emission, according to scientists.

Governments participating pledged to take actions that would help fulfill these goals, while most will have to be self-policed as only a few have made them legally binding.

“We are following up closely on climate policy at national, European, and international levels and intervening where possible through public policy interventions/positions, op-eds, blogs, interviews, live discussions, and amplifying issues related to impacts of climate crisis but also on policy measures that the government should adopt to achieve the goals of the Paris agreement for 1.5 C,’’ Kostas Grimanis, the climate justice campaigner with Greenpeace Greece, told Anadolu Agency.

Yet more is needed to go forward, and that is collective action and public pressure.

Robin Webster, the senior program lead of Advocacy Communications with Climate Outreach, believes that "taking to the streets is important in countries where it is possible, while evidence has shown that people are deeply influenced by those around us."

"Public consent and public pressure go together in driving politicians to make a change. The change we make, the change we ask for in our communities -- even down to the conversations over the dinner table -- all have to be part of that story,’’ Webster said.

However, Grimanis said that in Greece, public participation is still low when it comes to processes concerning the prioritization of energy democracy, energy efficiency, as well as energy transitions, even though a recent opinion poll showed that a great majority of the Greek public considers climate change as one of the biggest threats the society faces.

"There is a lot to be done as for public consultation processes are concerned.

"Adverse effects of certain policies on climate -- such as the persistence of previous and current governments in fossil fuel exploitation and the dependence of the economy on fossil gas -- are not explained sufficiently to citizens so they could form a comprehensive understanding for issues that will affect them and their children’s daily lives.

- Emmanouil runs for climate

In Greece, Agis Emmanouil, an actor, ultra-marathon runner, and environmental activist, embarked on a journey to raise awareness about the climate change crisis.

Emmanouil did something that many thought was crazy and almost no one supported his cause, but this did not stop him.

“It was my way of overcoming myself," he said. Embarking on a long "jogging" that would draw attention to this threat, he noted: "It was my part this time doing something about it (climate change).”

After running 2,421 kilometers (1,504 miles) from Athens to Glasgow in 87 days, he arrived in Scotland hoping to pass the message that nothing is impossible.

It was his own step into raising awareness and shouting out loud the danger we are facing and that it was about time to take action.

Inspired by David Attenborough’s documentary, A Life on our Planet, he decided that it was about time he does something about the biggest challenge facing our planet.

Emmanouil started his epic journey in August and for 77 days of the marathon, he ran across Europe all alone.

He sustained six injuries, one of which was in his Achilles tendon, forcing him to see a physiotherapist in Milan.

He faced several challenges, from the feeling of running all alone, weather conditions, and his injuries, to language difficulties in France. He traveled mostly on foot only a couple of times he had to take the ferry.

"We have to overcome our personal obstacles and everyone should do something for our planet," he said.

"I try to change some of my habits that affect the environment like my eating habits -- including eating less meat. I try to use my car less, reduce water and electricity consumption, and do more recycling -- just simple things that everyone should consider doing."

Experts believe that factory farming is a major contributor to climate change.

According to Compassion in World Farming, a campaigning and lobbying animal welfare organization: "About one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions is caused by livestock production, it is also the key land user and source of water pollution by nutrient overabundance, it competes with biodiversity, and promotes species extinctions."

- Climate change in Greece

Greece, with the recent floods, wildfires, and rising temperatures in summer, has seen the negative impact of the climate crisis already. More than 100,000 hectares of the country's forests and farmlands burned during summer.

Grimanis said: "The country is gradually acquiring a warmer and drier climate, with extreme weather events that will be more intense, more frequent, and of longer duration although they will not always be of the same intensity and are not equally reflected in all parameters or regions of the country."

According to the estimates, by 2050, rainfall will decrease by between 10% and 30%, while high fire risk days will rise from 15% (55 days) to 70% (255 days).

The next climate change conference, COP27, will be hosted in Egypt, a country facing several environmental vulnerabilities.