How hot is Earth today compared to when you were born? 5 climate change stories to read this week

Jul 29, 2022

Sustainable aviation, 3D-printed food and heatwaves - here are the latest stories on climate change. Image: Unsplash/Pawel Czerwinski

Tom Crowfoot

Writer, Forum Agenda

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This weekly roundup brings you some key climate change stories from the past seven days.
Top stories this week: Earth's warming, visualized; Aviation turns to hydrogen for sustainability; Heatwaves across the world; 10 eco-friendly foods; Lessons from hot countries on managing heatwaves.

1. How much hotter is Earth today than when you were born?

From wildfires across Europe this month to droughts around the world, climate change is being felt by billions around the globe.

Climate change: Global temperatures have risen from 1880 to 2020. Image: NASA: Earth Observatory

These heat maps from NASA help visualise the story of global warming from 1930 to 2021. Find out how much hotter earth is today than when you were born.

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What’s the World Economic Forum doing about climate change?

Climate change poses an urgent threat demanding decisive action. Communities around the world are already experiencing increased climate impacts, from droughts to floods to rising seas. The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report continues to rank these environmental threats at the top of the list.

To limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, it is essential that businesses, policy-makers, and civil society advance comprehensive near- and long-term climate actions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The World Economic Forum's Climate Initiative supports the scaling and acceleration of global climate action through public and private-sector collaboration. The Initiative works across several workstreams to develop and implement inclusive and ambitious solutions.

This includes the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, a global network of business leaders from various industries developing cost-effective solutions to transitioning to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. CEOs use their position and influence with policy-makers and corporate partners to accelerate the transition and realize the economic benefits of delivering a safer climate.

2. Could hydrogen-fuelled flights be a reality by 2035?

To achieve net-zero goals, aviation industry leaders are turning to alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, to reduce the industry's environmental footprint.

A new report by the World Economic Forum and the University of Cambridge’s Aviation Impact Accelerator explores how aviation can achieve a true zero climate impact.

hydrogen fueled flights decarbonize aviation climate change

Technological unlocks that will contribute to reaching true zero flight in aviation. Image: Aviation Impact Accelerator

From using battery electric aircraft to switching to hydrogen fuel, explore the future of aviation.

3. Here's how concurrent heatwaves are impacting the world

Runways melting, wildfires raging and heatstroke deaths. Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense.

Heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change. Image: NASA Observatory

While researchers urge the world to cut greenhouse-gas emissions, cities must also prepare to deal with the heat. From adapting key infrastructure such as railways to adding things like robust weather warning systems, the world needs to take action.

Discover how heatwaves are impacting life around the globe.

Have you read?

5 things to know about Europe's scorching heatwave

4. These eco-friendly foods are helping tackle climate change

The global food system generates roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. So, agriculture and food production systems are central to efforts to cut global emissions.

An alternative to chicken eggs, made from pea protein, salt and algae-derived acid.

These eggs made without chicken are one of the eco-friendly foods that can help tackle climate change. Image: Dezeen

From eggs made without chickens to 3D printed food, explore the eco-friendly foods that can help tackle climate change.

5. 7 lessons to learn from hot countries on dealing with heatwaves

A chart showing how heatwaves lead to an increase in deaths. climate change

Do summer heatwaves lead to an increase in deaths? Image: Office for National Statistics

Heatwaves can have an impact on both physical and mental health, so what can we learn from countries that are experienced in handling heatwaves? Here are some of the key points:

Check in on vulnerable citizens
Provide early heatwave warnings
Distribute cooling systems equitably
Create shaded areas

Discover more ways to help keep cool.

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.