How Political Decisions Affect the Environment and Why We Need to Change Them

The environment is one of the most important issues facing humanity today. It affects our health, our economy, our security, and our future. Despite this, not all political decisions are made with the environment in mind. Some of them are actively harming the environment and contributing to the climate crisis. 

The Negative Impacts of Political Decisions on the Environment

It isn't hard to find examples of political decisions that have negative impacts on the environment.

Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, the global pact that aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels is a perfect example. Some countries have decided to withdraw from the agreement, citing economic and sovereignty reasons. This undermines the global effort to combat climate change and reduces the credibility and effectiveness of the agreement. For a period of time, this included the Unites States, one of the countries most responsible for climate change.

Fossil fuels are the main source of greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global warming and climate change. Some countries, including Australia, Canada, and Russia, have continued to expand their fossil fuel production and exports, despite the urgent need to reduce emissions, increasing their own carbon footprint, and encouraging other countries to rely on fossil fuels instead of switching to renewable energy sources.

Deregulating environmental protections which aimed to preserve and improve the quality of the natural environment and human health. Countries, like Brazil, India, and Indonesia, these have been weakened or removed to allow for more deforestation, mining, logging, and pollution. This destroys biodiversity and ecosystems, and increases the risk of diseases, wildfires, floods, and landslides.

Climate science provides evidence and projections of climate change and its impacts on various sectors and regions. Politicians across the globe have denied or downplayed the reality and severity of climate change, despite overwhelming scientific consensus. 

We Need to Vote Them Out

The negative impacts of political decisions on the environment are harmful to nature and humanity. They threaten our survival, well-being, rights, and dignity. They exacerbate social and economic inequalities, injustices, and conflicts. We need to see past everyday issues and vote them out to be replaced by leaders who care about the environment and are prepared to take action.

We have until 2030 to make changes that limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels through to 2050. If we fail to do so, we will face more severe and frequent extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, storms, floods, and wildfires. We will also face more food insecurity, water scarcity, health risks, displacement, migration, and violence. These will affect everyone, and especially the most vulnerable and marginalised groups.

We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. One million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction due to human activities. This loss of biodiversity has grave consequences for ecosystem functioning and services, such as pollination, soil formation, water purification, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, food production, and recreation. We need leaders who are fight the destruction of our natural heritage.