BREAKING BARRIERS

 Women in Leadership and the Path to Equality

When women lead, communities thrive. Yet across the globe, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles—from corporate boardrooms to community councils. At The SOL Foundation, our mission to empower women through #SOLEmpowernment includes dismantling the barriers that hold women back and paving the way for a more equitable future.

In this blog, we explore the challenges women face in stepping into leadership roles and the bold, necessary steps we can all take to close the gender gap in leadership.

The Reality: Underrepresentation in Leadership

Despite making up nearly half the world’s population, women are far from achieving equal representation in leadership. Consider the statistics:

• Women hold only a quarter of parliamentary seats globally.
• In the corporate world, less than 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women.
• In many communities, women still struggle to have a seat at the table where critical decisions are made.

This gap isn’t about a lack of talent or ambition—it’s about barriers, both visible and invisible.

The Challenges Women Face in Leadership

Here are some of the key obstacles keeping women from leading:

🔹 Cultural and Social Expectations

Traditional gender roles often expect women to prioritize caregiving over career, limiting the time and support they need to pursue leadership.

🔹 Lack of Access to Networks

Leadership opportunities are often influenced by access to professional networks, mentors, and sponsorships—spaces where women are underrepresented or excluded.

🔹 Unequal Pay and Economic Disparity

The wage gap reduces women’s financial independence and limits their ability to invest in personal development or leadership training.

🔹 Bias and Discrimination

Women often face unconscious bias that questions their competence or leadership style, especially in male-dominated industries.

🔹 Limited Representation

The absence of women in high-level roles leads to a lack of role models, making it harder for young women to visualize and pursue similar paths.

Paving the Path to Equality in Leadership

At The SOL Foundation, we believe that breaking these barriers starts with intentional action. Here’s how we’re helping and what we believe is essential:

✅ Empowering Through Education

Access to quality education is the first step. We support programs that teach leadership skills, public speaking, decision-making, and confidence-building, especially among young girls.

✅ Mentorship and Peer Support

We connect women with mentors who can guide, support, and open doors. Mentorship is powerful—it breaks isolation and builds bridges to opportunity.

✅ Promoting Inclusive Policies

We advocate for environments where inclusive hiring and leadership development practices give women equal opportunities to rise.

✅ Championing Women Entrepreneurs

Through #SOLEmpowernment, we support women building and leading businesses, helping them create not only livelihoods but jobs and impact.

✅ Telling Their Stories

We spotlight women leaders in our communities to inspire others. Representation matters—when women see other women lead, they know they can too.

Let’s Break the Barriers Together

The path to leadership equality isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a societal necessity. Empowered women build stronger communities, champion justice, and drive innovation.

At The SOL Foundation, we’re proud to stand behind women with vision, passion, and purpose. Through #SOLEmpowernment, we are creating opportunities for women to rise, lead, and transform their world.

🔹 Support a woman. Sponsor her growth. Share her story.

🔹 Let’s break the barriers, one leader at a time.

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Website: https://www.the-sol-foundation.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesol_foundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesolfoundationorg/

X: https://x.com/the_solf_org

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesolfoundation

Blog: https://the-sol-foundation.blogspot.com/

Email: coordinator@the-sol-foundation.org

Let's take a look at the comments received from our Instagram Platform: 

@lavingdelegend 

"Society discouraging them being criticize by people." 

@yvmi_02

"Not being heard"

@theadventglobal

"Oh My God! Where do  I start? Lol. As a woman in leadership roles, we face discrimination, harassment, underlying stabbing, comparisons online and offline, assumed that we “are” lucky and don’t deserve where we are and whatnot. It’s not easy being a woman in this world, let alone a leader."

@imahahanoors

"Not getting equal rights"

@_the_quotes_official 

"Gender discrimination and stereotypes"

@foodie__delight___

"That Social biases 👏"

@cozynook.affiliate

"People challenging their authority because of their gender 🙄"

@artventure_of_sam 

"Not considering women as a competition. So, women don’t get the same respect as men in the leadership role. I guess this is the biggest challenge."

@rabiya_shamim.official 

"Not getting their rights"

THE POWER OF SCHOOL GARDENS

Transforming Education and Nutrition

School gardens are more than just a patch of green spaces in schools—they are dynamic learning environments that cultivate knowledge, responsibility, and health. As education evolves, the integration of school gardens into the curriculum is proving to be a powerful tool for transforming both education and nutrition. These gardens offer hands-on learning experiences that go beyond traditional classroom settings, providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Hands-On Learning

One of the most significant benefits of school gardens is the opportunity for hands-on learning. In a world where much of education is becoming increasingly digital, school gardens offer a tangible way for students to engage with their lessons. Whether it's science, math, or social studies, the garden becomes a living laboratory where concepts come to life.

For instance, students can learn about the life cycle of plants by growing their own vegetables. They can apply math skills by measuring garden beds or calculating the amount of soil needed. Environmental science lessons are enriched as students observe ecosystems, composting, and sustainable practices firsthand. This experiential learning helps students retain information more effectively and fosters a deeper understanding of the subjects they study.

Additionally, working in the garden encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Students must collaborate to plan, plant, and maintain their garden, learning valuable social and emotional skills in the process. The garden becomes a place where students of all learning styles can thrive, making education more inclusive and engaging.

Improved Nutrition

School gardens are also powerful tools for improving nutrition among students. By growing their own fruits and vegetables, students develop a better understanding of where their food comes from and the importance of eating fresh, nutritious meals. Studies have shown that students who participate in garden programs are more likely to try new fruits and vegetables and develop healthier eating habits.

The connection between the garden and the cafeteria is a crucial one. When students grow food that ends up on their lunch trays, they take pride in their work and are more inclined to eat what they've produced. This connection helps combat childhood obesity and malnutrition by providing access to fresh, organic produce that might otherwise be unavailable to some students.

Moreover, school gardens can be a gateway to discussions about broader topics such as food security, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Students learn about the impact of their food choices on their health and the planet, empowering them to make informed decisions that benefit both.

Cultivating a Lifelong Love for Learning and Nature

The benefits of school gardens extend far beyond the classroom. By fostering a connection with nature, these gardens instill a lifelong appreciation for the environment and the importance of sustainable living. Students who participate in garden programs are more likely to continue gardening at home, bringing their newfound knowledge and healthy habits into their communities.

Gardening also provides therapeutic benefits, helping to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. In a world where children are often overwhelmed by academic pressures and digital distractions, the garden offers a peaceful refuge where they can unwind and reconnect with the natural world.

A Seed for the Future

School gardens are much more than educational tools—they are seeds for a healthier, more informed, and environmentally conscious future. By integrating gardens into the curriculum, schools can enhance hands-on learning, improve student nutrition, and foster a lifelong love for the environment. As these gardens grow, so too do the students who tend them, blossoming into well-rounded individuals ready to make a positive impact on the world.

You can support the school gardens across the globe which help provide a nutritious diet for the students as well as providing sustenance to the communities around them.

https://www.the-sol-foundation.org/store/p19/School_Garden.html

Website: https://www.the-sol-foundation.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesol_foundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesolfoundationorg/

X: https://x.com/the_solf_org

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesolfoundation

Blog: https://the-sol-foundation.blogspot.com/

Email: coordinator@the-sol-foundation.org

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Let us take a look at some of the feedback received on Instagram:

@everylittlethingmatterz -

"Food for all"

@theadventglobal -

"Social skills, environment binding, being around environment provides positive impact to health."

@aisha_bagha -

"Provide sensory experiences and opportunities for hands-on learning experiences and exploration, fostering curiosity and creativity among students."

@zainab_akadir -

"Education to children on how to reuse and recycle."

@_real_rizwana -

"Hands on education and positive impact on health."

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy -

"Emotional longevity of bond, which releases mental exhaustion, and increases energy."

COMMUNITY GARDENS

Community gardens offer more than fresh produce—they empower mothers by fostering support networks and building valuable skills. By participating in these green spaces, mothers can connect with each other, gain confidence, and find stress relief, all while contributing to a healthier community. 

Building Support Networks

Community gardens are more than just spaces to grow vegetables—they’re hubs for building strong support networks among mothers. When mothers come together to work in these gardens, they can bond over shared tasks, exchange gardening tips, and share their experiences. This collaborative environment helps foster lasting friendships and provides a sense of belonging. 

Whether it’s swapping seeds or stories, these gardens become a place where mothers can support each other, offering advice, encouragement, and a listening ear.

Skill-Building and Empowerment

Participating in community gardening projects offers mothers a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and feel empowered. From planting and nurturing crops to understanding sustainable practices, gardening provides hands-on education that boosts confidence. Mothers can take pride in watching their efforts bloom into thriving plants, and this sense of accomplishment extends beyond the garden. 

The act of gardening also serves as a great stress reliever, providing a peaceful and productive outlet for the pressures of daily life.

Through community gardens, mothers gain practical skills and emotional benefits, creating a healthier and more connected community. Support or sponsor community gardens in our various school garden programs across the globe: https://www.the-sol-foundation.org/store/p19/School_Garden.html

🌱🤝 #CommunityGardens #EmpowerMothers #SupportNetworks #SkillBuilding

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Let us take a look at some of the benefits of having community gardens as shared by our social media family: 

Instagram

@aisha_bagha -

"Provide green spaces for relaxation."

HOW TO CONSERVE WATER

We have seen why it is important to conserve water and so in our last article under the water conservation chapter we shall look at the simple ways in which you can conserve water:

1. Stop Leaks 

Check all water-using appliances, equipment, and other devices for leaks. Running toilets, steady faucet drips, home water treatment units, and outdoor sprinkler systems are common sources of leaks.

Frequently checking for leaks helps to ensure you aren’t using large amounts of water. 

2. Plant the right plants 

Whether you're installing a new landscape or changing the existing one, select plants that are appropriate for your climate. Consider landscaping techniques designed to create a visually attractive landscape by using low-water and drought-resistant grass, plants, shrubs, and trees. If maintained properly, climate-appropriate landscaping can use less than one-half the water of a traditional landscape.

3. Provide only the water plants need

 Automatic landscape irrigation systems are a home's biggest water user. To make sure you're not overwatering, adjust your irrigation controller at least once a month to account for changes in the weather.

4. Install Water Saving Devices

Adding water-saving devices to your home or business can help to conserve water. Consider adding; Water faucet aerators, Low-flow showerheads and Toilet dams. 

5. Water Conservation tips for the kitchen

• Take foods out of the freezer early to allow plenty time to thaw rather than running water over it.
• Keep water in the fridge so you don’t have to run the tap to get cold water.
• Completely fill the dishwasher before you turn it on. It can use 35-45 litres per cycle.
• If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing.
• Don’t let the faucet run while you clean vegetables. Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water.
• Keep cooking fats, oils and grease out of the drain. They can stick to and block the inside of pipes, which can lead to sewer back-ups and basement flooding.

6. Use water Wisely for laundry 

Purchase a high efficiency washing machine and try to only do laundry when the machine is full.

7. Other Daily Water Saving Habits

• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
• When washing your car, rather than use a running hose consider using a bucket, a sponge, and a hose with a trigger nozzle.
• Check garden hoses and connections frequently and keep them drip-free. Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they are not as visible, but they can be just as wasteful as leaks inside.

Let us take a look at some of the ways of conserving water as suggested by our Instagram family: 

@aisha_bagha -

"Regularly check for leaks"

@_real_rizwana -

"Get a bucket for rainwater"

BENEFITS OF CONSERVING WATER

 Conserving water saves energy. Energy is needed to filter, heat and pump water to your home, so reducing your water use also reduces your carbon footprint. Using less water keeps more in our ecosystems and helps to keep wetland habitats topped up for animals like otters, water voles, herons and fish.

Adopting water conservation practices is crucial for environmental sustainability, ensuring a more resilient and balanced relationship between human activities and the planet's water resources.

Here are some of the benefits of conserving water: 

1. Preservation of Ecosystems:

Water conservation helps maintain the health of ecosystems by ensuring an adequate supply for plants, animals, and aquatic life. It sustains biodiversity and supports the natural balance of ecosystems.

2. Resource Sustainability:

Conserving water ensures the sustainable use of this resource. By preventing over-extraction from rivers, lakes, and aquifers, we contribute to the long-term availability of clean water for future generations.

3. Energy Conservation:

Treating and distributing water requires a significant amount of energy. By reducing water usage, we indirectly lower the energy required for water treatment and transportation, leading to a more energy-efficient system.

4. Financial Savings:

Water conservation at the individual and community levels can result in lower water bills. Fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances, and adopting responsible water practices contribute to financial savings for households and businesses.

5. Mitigation of Water Scarcity:

Many regions worldwide are facing water scarcity issues. Conservation measures can alleviate stress on water supplies, particularly in arid and drought-prone areas, helping to mitigate the impacts of water scarcity.

6. Reduced Pollution:

The treatment of wastewater involves energy and resources. By using less water, there is a decrease in the volume of wastewater produced, leading to lower levels of pollution in rivers and oceans.

7. Climate Change Mitigation:

Water conservation plays a role in climate change mitigation. Energy is often used to pump, treat, and heat water. By reducing water consumption, we indirectly contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production.

8. Protection of Aquatic Habitats:

 Conserving water ensures that there is enough flow in rivers and streams to sustain aquatic habitats. Adequate water levels are crucial for the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms.

9. Preservation of Soil Quality:

Water conservation helps maintain soil moisture levels. Adequate soil moisture is essential for agriculture and prevents soil erosion, promoting healthier and more productive land.

10. Global Water Security:

 Water conservation on a global scale contributes to enhanced water security. With a growing global population and increasing demands on water resources, responsible water use is essential for meeting current and future needs.

Take a look at some of the benefits provided through Instagram: 

@aisha_bagha -

"Protects water supplies in case of drought" 

@zainab_akadir -

" Reduces water purchase costs." 

@_real_rizwana -

" More ways to use and benefits more people, species etc. " 

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

 In our last part to this chapter let us take a look at the benefits of volunteering. 

When you’re giving your time, skills and services, you deserve to get something back. Here are some of the benefits you receive when you volunteer:

1. Gaining New Skills

Whether you’re studying, starting a career, looking for work or trying to improve your promotion prospects, volunteering can be a great way to learn and develop the skills you need, both practically and personally. 

2. Networking 

You get to meet new people and make new connections. This in turn helps you grow your mindset and get out of your shell to be more open to different cultures and perceptions. 

3. Making a Positive Impact on the Environment

Volunteers can participate in events such as beach cleanups, tree plantation, and waste management initiatives that help reduce environmental pollution. These initiatives play a vital role in promoting sustainable development and preserving the natural environment.

4. Creating Corporate Social Responsibility 

Environmental volunteering offers an opportunity for corporations to meet their social or community service obligations. Volunteering is a great way for corporations to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility. 

5. Climate Change Mitigation 

Volunteers can participate in various programs that focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable living. These programs include waste management initiatives, tree plantation drives, and awareness campaigns. Through these initiatives, volunteers can make a significant impact on the environment and contribute to climate change mitigation.

6. Collaboration and Teamwork

Environmental volunteering often involves working in teams to complete tasks such as cleaning up beaches or planting trees. Working in teams allows individuals to develop collaboration and teamwork skills, which are essential for leadership roles. Learning how to work with others towards a common goal, while respecting each other’s perspectives, is an essential skill for any leader.

7. Critical Thinking 

Environmental volunteering provides opportunities to make decisions and solve problems in a real-world setting. These experiences can help individuals build confidence in their ability to analyze situations and make informed decisions, which are vital skills for any leader. Problem-solving skills can help leaders navigate complex challenges and develop innovative solutions.

8. Responsibility 

Environmental volunteering requires a high level of responsibility and accountability. Individuals must take ownership of their actions, be reliable, and follow through on commitments. These experiences can help develop leadership qualities such as responsibility, accountability, and dependability.

9. Saving the Ecosystem

Environmental conservation is not just about preserving the land itself – but also about protecting its inhabitants. 

Every individual has their own reason for volunteering and their own ideas about what it will do for them. The most important thing about volunteering is that you should enjoy it on your own terms and that it's a rewarding experience for you, as well as for the people, animals and environment you help.

Here's are some of the comments from our Instagram family: 

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy -

" It's all about giving back to the community. Sometimes volunteerism can mean funds or resources and sometimes money. Whatever one feels comfortable with." 

" Learned professionalism and love for country " 

@aisha_bagha -

" Learn new skills "

@_real_rizwana -

" It was required to volunteer for class; learned about mental and environmental health."

SIMPLE ACTIONS TO COMBAT GLOBAL WARMING

 Everyone can help limit climate change. From the way we travel, to the electricity we use and the food we eat, we can make a difference. 

“Change only happens when individuals take action,” Aliya Haq, deputy director of NRDC’s Clean Power Plan initiative, says. “There’s no other way, if it doesn’t start with people.”

The goal is simple. Carbon dioxide is the climate’s worst enemy. It’s released when oil, coal, and other fossil fuels are burned for energy—the energy we use to power our homes, cars, and smartphones. By using less of it, we can curb our own contribution to climate change while also saving money. Here are a some easy, effective ways each one of us can make a difference:

1. Save energy at home/workplace 

• Most of our electricity and heat is powered by coal, oil and gas. 
• Use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water or hanging things to dry instead of using a dryer.
• Power your home/workplace with renewable energy like wind/solar energy. 
• Invest in energy efficient appliances making sure also to save water.
• Conserve energy by better insulating our homes and buildings, and by replacing old, failing appliances with more energy-efficient models.
• Call a home energy audit company and get an audit done for the home that will help you to identify areas that consume a lot of energy and are not energy efficient at all.

2. Walk, cycle or use public transport

• Walking or riding a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and help your health and fitness. For longer distances, consider taking a train or bus. And carpool whenever possible.
• Gas-smart cars, such as hybrids and fully electric vehicles, save fuel and money
• Choosing to live in walkable smart-growth cities and towns with quality public transportation leads to less driving, less money spent on fuel, and less pollution in the air.
• Less frequent flying can make a big difference, too.
• Avoid rapid acceleration and braking, and turn on cruise control on longer trips
• Not only is bike riding healthy, but it also reduces the amount of CO2 released into the air. Walking is another easy way to reduce global warming.
• Working a few days each month from home means one less commuter on the road contributing to greenhouse gases.

3. Eat more vegetables 

• Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and less meat and dairy, can significantly lower your environmental impact. 
• Producing plant-based foods generally results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires less energy, land and water.
• Besides carbon dioxide, methane introduced into the air contributes to global warming. With meat consumed by the seconds, the number of cows breathing out methane is a huge contributor.

4. Avoid throwing food 

• When you throw food away, you're also wasting the resources and energy that were used to grow, produce, package and transport it. And when food rots in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. So use what you buy and compost any leftovers.

5. Reduce, Reuse, Repair & Recycle 

• Electronics, clothes and other items we buy cause carbon emissions at each point in production, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to market. 
• To protect our climate, buy fewer things, shop second-hand, repair what you can and recycle.
• Landfills already contain more than 2 million tons of plastic bottles. It takes 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture water bottles every year, and those bottles take more than 1,000 years to biodegrade. Have one reusable water bottle to make a big difference.
• Reuse towels. Hang towels to dry, instead of popping them back in the wash after a few uses.

6. Change your source of energy 

• See if you can switch to renewable sources such as wind or solar. Or install solar panels on your roof to generate energy for your home.
• LED lightbulbs use up to 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescents. They’re also cheaper in the long run.
• You can offset the carbon you produce by purchasing carbon offsets, which represent clean power that you can add to the nation’s energy grid in place of power from fossil fuels. But not all carbon offset companies are alike. Do your homework to find the best supplier.

7. Speak up!

• By voicing your concerns you send a message that you care about the warming world.
• Always try your best to educate people about global warming and its causes and after-effects. Tell them how they can contribute their part by saving energy that will be good for the environment. Gather opportunities and establish programs that will help you to share information with friends, relatives, and neighbors.

8. Reduce water waste 

• Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. That's because it takes a lot of energy to pump, heat, and treat your water. So take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and switch to WaterSense-labeled fixtures and appliances. 

9. Pull the plug(s) 

• Don't leave fully charged devices plugged into your home's outlets, unplug rarely used devices or plug them into power strips and timers, and adjust your computers and monitors to automatically power down to the lowest power mode when not in use.

10. Plant trees

• Reforestation is the most cost-effective way to prevent global warming. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, so planting more trees can help reduce the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. In fact, we could remove roughly two-thirds of human-made carbon just by letting all forests regrow. 
• Protect what remains of our existing tropical forests .

11. Educate 

• Give to a charity that makes school more affordable and accessible for those in need in low- and lower-middle-income countries. 
• Always try your best to educate people about global warming and its causes and after-effects. Tell them how they can contribute their part by saving energy that will be good for the environment. Gather opportunities and establish programs that will help you to share information with friends, relatives, and neighbors.

12. Avoid products with a lot of packaging

• Just don’t buy products with a lot of packaging. When you buy such products, you will end up throwing the waste material in the garbage, which then will help in filling landfill sites and pollute the environment. Also, discourage others from buying such products.

13. Celebrate Arbor Day & Earth Day 

• Although most of us hear about these days in passing, see what the buzz is all about. Plant a tree, pick up trash, or join a forum.

14. Become aware of your contribution 

• With technology within your fingertips, finding information about protecting the environment is everywhere. To help emit less CO2, the first step is being aware of how much you can contribute.

Preventing global warming is more important than ever. We're the last generation that can change the course of climate change, and will be the first to face it's consequences if we don't act now. 

Here are some of the suggestions from our Instagram family:

@breathenmoments -

" Gratitude for what we already have. As we all have much abundance in our day to day lives we don't see."

"More awareness when using our resources. Try less first before using more."

@sabri_farouq -

"Tree planting" 

@blue_earth_organization -

"Planting lots of trees, Zero waste, Switch to reusables."

@real_rizwana -

"Make sure your surroundings are clean and taken care of." 

@legacy_mall -

"Plant trees (all species)"

@its_winnie_cheche -

"Grow indigenous trees, shrubs and other vegetation cover."

@mentor_quresha -

"Planting more trees"

@aisha_bagha -

"Save energy at home."

"Plant more trees" 

@ahmed.sheikh.589 -

"Plant trees & harvest water." 

@_nussy_ -

"Help to protect & conserve green spaces like local parks and community gardens." 

@sumaiyaharunany -

"So manyyy ; Plant a tree. Reuse, reduce, recycle."

"Segregate waste. Unplug devices at night . Ditch single use plastic."

REFERENCES:

• https://www.un.org/actnow
• https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/

EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

 In this chapter we will look at how to know the effects of climate change. How do we know that the climate is changing. We shall just browse through some of the scientific evidence. 

Direct observations made on and above Earth’s surface show the planet’s climate is significantly changing. Human activities are the primary driver of those changes.

Earth's climate has changed throughout history. Just in the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 11,700 years ago marking the beginning of the modern climate era — and of human civilization.

1. GLOBAL TEMPERATURE RISE 

The planet's average surface temperature has risen about 2.12 degrees Fahrenheit (1.18 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and other human activities. Most of the warming occurred in the past 40 years, with the seven most recent years being the warmest. The years 2016 and 2020 are tied for the warmest year on record.

2. WARMING OCEAN 

The ocean has absorbed much of this increased heat, with the top 100 meters (about 328 feet) of ocean showing warming of more than 0.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.33 degrees Celsius) since 1969. Earth stores 90% of the extra energy in the ocean.

3. SHRINKING ICE SHEETS 

The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have decreased in mass. Data from NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment show Greenland lost an average of 279 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2019, while Antarctica lost about 148 billion tons of ice per year.

4. GLACIAL RETREAT 

Glaciers are retreating almost everywhere around the world — including in the Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska, and Africa.

5. DECREASED SNOW COVER 

Satellite observations reveal that the amount of spring snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere has decreased over the past five decades and the snow is melting earlier.

6. SEA LEVEL RISE 

Global sea level rose about 8 inches (20 centimeters) in the last century. The rate in the last two decades, however, is nearly double that of the last century and accelerating slightly every year.

7. DECLINING ARCTIC SEA ICE 

Both the extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice has declined rapidly over the last several decades.

8. EXTREME NATURAL EVENTS 

Increase in natural disasters each year.

9. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION 

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by about 30%. This increase is the result of humans emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and hence more being absorbed into the ocean. The ocean has absorbed between 20% and 30% of total anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions in recent decades (7.2 to 10.8 billion metric tons per year).

The evidence of climate change is overwhelming, urging us to climate action. Here are some of the opinions from our Instagram & Facebook family: 

FACEBOOK

Sprut Krankle  - 

"The Sahara going green."

Prachi Jain  -

" 16% above expected levels, forest wildfires, rains."

INSTAGRAM 

@_real_rizwana - 

"Unpredictable weather."

@_nussy_ -

"Global temperatures rise, warming ocean, decreased snow cover, glacial retreat & ocean acidification."

@sumaiyaharunani - 

" So many!!! Wildfires, drought, typhoons, ice on Kilimajaro is almost over. Heat waves, intense drought, rise of sea levels, melting glaciers, extreme weather conditions. "

@its_winnie_cheche - 

"Floods and droughts."

@breathenmoments -

"Increased erratic weather."

@blue_earth_organization -

"Rise in sea levels, abrupt change in weather patterns."

@dafina_bread -

"No rain. Prolonged drought. "

@zainab_akadir -

"Temperature fluctuation and melting of ice peaks."

REFERENCES:

• https://climate.nasa.gov/
• Vostok ice core data; NOAA Mauna Loa CO2 record
• Gaffney, O.; Steffen, W. (2017). "The Anthropocene equation," The Anthropocene Review (Volume 4, Issue 1, April 2017), 53-61.
• https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-references/faq/indicators.php
• https://crudata.uea.ac.uk/cru/data/temperature/​
• http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp
• https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/OC5/3M_HEAT_CONTENT/index3.html
• National Snow and Ice Data Center
• World Glacier Monitoring Service
• National Snow and Ice Data Center
• R. S. Nerem, B. D. Beckley, J. T. Fasullo, B. D. Hamlington, D. Masters and G. T. Mitchum. "Climate-change–driven accelerated sea-level rise detected in the altimeter era." PNAS, 2018 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1717312115
• http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/What+is+Ocean+Acidification%3F

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment.

The effects of human-caused global warming are happening now, are irreversible on the timescale of people alive today, and will worsen in the decades to come.

As climate change transforms global ecosystems, it affects everything from the places we live to the water we drink to the air we breathe.

Let us list a few of these effects as seen in our world today: 

• Global temperatures will continue to rise for decades to come, largely due to greenhouse gases produced by human activities.
• Extreme Weather; As the earth’s atmosphere heats up, it collects, retains, and drops more water, changing weather patterns and making wet areas wetter and dry areas drier. 
• Air pollution and climate change are inextricably linked, with one exacerbating the other. 
• According to the World Health Organization, “climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year” between 2030 and 2050. As air pollution worsens, so does respiratory health—particularly for the 300 million people living with asthma worldwide; there’s more airborne pollen and mold to torment hay fever and allergy sufferers, too. Extreme weather events, such as severe storms and flooding, can lead to injury, drinking water contamination, and storm damage that may compromise basic infrastructure or lead to community displacement.
• Rising Seas. The Arctic is heating twice as fast as any other place on the planet.
• The earth’s oceans absorb between one-quarter and one-third of our fossil fuel emissions and are now 30 percent more acidic than they were in preindustrial times. This acidification poses a serious threat to underwater life, particularly creatures with calcified shells or skeletons like oysters, clams, and coral. It can have a devastating impact on shellfisheries, as well as the fish, birds, and mammals that depend on shellfish for sustenance.
• Climate change is increasing pressure on wildlife to adapt to changing habitats—and fast. Many species are seeking out cooler climates and higher altitudes, altering seasonal behaviors, and adjusting traditional migration patterns. These shifts can fundamentally transform entire ecosystems and the intricate webs of life that depend on them. As a result, according to a 2014 IPCC climate change report, many species now face “increased extinction risk due to climate change.” And one 2015 study showed that mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and other vertebrate species are disappearing 114 times faster than they should be, a phenomenon that has been linked to climate change, pollution, and deforestation—all interconnected threats. 

So what are the effects of climate change in the future? Let's browse through some of them. 

• Global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond. The magnitude of climate change beyond the next few decades depends primarily on the amount of heat-trapping gases emitted globally, and how sensitive the Earth’s climate is to those emissions.
• Temperatures will continue to rise
• Frost- free season (and growing season) will lengthen 
• More droughts and heat waves
• Hurricanes will become stronger and more intense 
• Sea levels will rise drastically 
• The Arctic likely to become ice free! 

We asked the same questions on our social media and here are some of the answers we received from our Instagram family: 

baus_taka_enterprise: 

"Drought, icebergs melting, fires, global warming, landslides, floods." 

sumaiyaharunany: 

"Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, heatwaves, frequent and intense droughts, storms."

phoenix_marketing_solutions:

"Temperature rises, sea level rises, drought." 

zainab_akadir:

"Global Warming."

_real_rizwana: 

"Temperatures and natural caused disasters."

REFRENCES: 

1. https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/