The Shocking Realization: Climate Risks in 2020
2020 was quite a year! We not only grappled with a global pandemic but also saw the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report echoing a chilling message: all top five global risks were climate-related. Wildfires in Australia and the Amazon jungles were hot topics (pun intended), while the Horn of Africa faced a locust invasion that could make even the bravest farmer shudder. If those issues weren’t enough to keep you awake at night, consider this: climate change is knocking at our doors too.
Flying High, Emissions Sky High
Now, let’s talk turkey—or should I say fuel? The blockchain and crypto industries, while revolutionary, have also contributed to climate change. As per a study in Global Environmental Change, frequent flyers pump out about 35,000 miles annually, which equals a boatload of CO2 emissions. Just so we’re all on the same page: one roundtrip flight from London to New York is the carbon equivalent of nearly an entire year’s worth of emissions for an average person in the UK. Talk about a sky-high carbon footprint!
Corona-Caused Calm
Amid the chaos of lockdowns, an unexpected positive emerged: a drop in air pollution and CO2 emissions, as many of us traded our swift flights for sedentary sofa sessions. In China alone, CO2 emissions took a nosedive by a quarter. Yet, don’t let this fool you into thinking we’ve solved the problem; these are just temporary wins unless we put real, sustained efforts on the table.
Virtual Vibes: The New Meeting Methodology
To address the emission-heavy corporate travel, innovation is essential. Enter the realm of virtual reality (VR)! Big firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers predict that by 2030, over 23 million jobs will leverage AR and VR for various purposes—think meetings and customer service—but without the hefty travel carbon costs. While Zoom meetings had their charms, VR can bring in more immersive experiences that might soon make you forget about that need for in-person gatherings altogether.
Get Ready for VR Concerts!
Imagine attending a virtual concert with David Guetta—mind-bending, right? These experiences reveal the extreme potential of VR beyond mere gaming or entertainment and can reshape how we conduct business. Imagine sparing the planet and still shaking your groove thing from the comfort of your couch.
Accountability Through Innovation
As we plunge deeper into 2021 and beyond, it’s vital to leverage innovative technologies for emissions monitoring. Whether it’s a blockchain-based platform to track carbon footprints or new ways to calculate emissions, the crypto community can lead the charge. Breaking the status quo is what we do best, and if we harness our innovative spirit, we can tackle climate change one virtual meeting, concert, or project at a time.
This article echoes a powerful sentiment: necessity indeed spurs invention. We have the tools; now let’s make our own future and create change together.
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