UPDATED Mar 19, 2025
Image source: Carl Kho (left), Matt Palmer (middle), William Bossen (right), via Unsplash
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, driven by human activities that significantly alter global temperatures and weather patterns. These changes severely affect our ecosystems, economies, and societies. Our immediate action is necessary to mitigate further destruction and irreversible damage to our environment. But first, we must understand the causes of climate change.
Fossil Fuels and Intensified Natural Disasters
One of the most significant drivers of climate change is the combustion of fossil fuels for energy. This releases vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, which absorb infrared radiation and trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This is known as the greenhouse effect, which leads to an increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters.
A recent example is the series of wildfires that devastated Los Angeles in January 2025. The wildfire destroyed an estimated 16,000 homes and businesses, displacing tens of thousands of people and claiming at least 29 lives. The fires resulted in staggering economic losses estimated at over USD 250 billion1.
According to scientists, climate change plays a central role in the growing frequency and severity of wildfires in California, creating hotter and drier conditions that turn vegetation into a tinderbox and make fires easier to spread2. The wildfires came after a summer of record-breaking temperatures and extreme heat, facilitating the right conditions for a deadly fire surge. The past two years—2023 and 2024—rank among the hottest on record.
Beyond the immediate destruction, the disaster is a reminder of the deadly link between rising emissions and worsening natural disasters. The generation of brown energy accounted for 75.5% of global GHG emissions in 20213, making it one of the largest contributors to climate change. To combat this, we must accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for electricity and industry.
Industrialisation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The rapid industrialisation of nations has also contributed significantly to the increase in GHG emissions over the past several decades, as countries expand their manufacturing and production capacities. The industrial sector accounts for approximately 30% of US GHG emissions, with high-emission activities including cement production, steel manufacturing, and the petrochemical industry4. For Singapore, the industrial sector accounts for 49% and 16% of primary and secondary GHG emissions respectively⁵. These processes release carbon dioxide and high levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to ocean acidification and atmospheric warming.
The growth of industries, transportation networks, and urban infrastructure has amplified our demand for energy. This demand is met primarily through fossil fuels and causes the greenhouse effect to worsen. Since the Industrial Revolution, global average CO2 levels have surged from approximately 280 parts per million (ppm) in the 18th century to 419.3 ppm in 2023⁶, inducing a steep rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The increase in industrial activity has also led to a significant spike in methane emissions, with the energy sector responsible for about 40% of global methane emissions, primarily from oil and gas extraction⁷.
Without a fundamental shift towards greener industrial practices, emissions will continue to rise from our reliance on industrial output for growth. This will inevitably speed up the planet’s warming trajectory and exacerbate the adverse effects of climate change.
Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss
Deforestation, largely driven by agricultural expansion and logging is another significant contributor to climate change. Trees play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by absorbing CO2 through photosynthesis and storing it as biomass. When forests are cleared, this carbon sink is lost and the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Beyond carbon emissions, deforestation leads to habitat loss for thousands of plant and animal species, as well as disrupted rainfall patterns and increased aggregate temperatures.
The Amazon rainforest in Brazil, often referred to as the “lungs of the planet,” has suffered massive deforestation. In 2019, deforestation rates reached a decade-high8 due to policies encouraging agricultural expansion. The Brazilian government, indigenous communities, and environmental activists have contended strongly with this agricultural expansion and underwent several debates about sustainable land-use policies. Curbing deforestation through reforestation projects and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels can help to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Sea-Level Rise, Ocean Warming, and Coastal Threats
The hike in global temperatures has led to rising sea levels from the thermal expansion of seawater and hastened melting of ice sheets and glaciers. This phenomenon poses a serious threat to coastal communities and island nations.
One alarming case is the crisis facing the Maldives, a low-lying island nation that could become uninhabitable by the end of the century. In 2020, the Maldivian government declared a state of climate emergency with a unanimous approval of 68 members from parliament9. The situation is dire as nearly 80% of the Maldives’ land area is less than one metre above sea level, making it highly vulnerable to flooding and erosion. If sea levels continue to rise, many homes and agricultural lands will be lost.
Furthermore, the warming of oceans has resulted in more frequent and intense hurricanes. Ocean warming occurs when excess heat trapped by GHGs is absorbed by seawater, disrupting marine ecosystems and intensifying tropical cyclones. A study by the World Weather Attribution found that climate change “supercharged” the Philippines’ late typhoon season in November 202410. Within just 30 days, six typhoons struck the country, with several active in the region at the same time. This clustering of storms impacted over 13 million people, devastating lives and livelihoods while placing severe pressure on domestic resources and infrastructure.
The Role of Renewable Energy
Climate change forms a vicious cycle of environmental degradation and human suffering. From extreme weather events to food insecurity, the repercussions of unchecked carbon emissions are severe and far-reaching.
Mitigation strategies continue to advance on a global stage, with decarbonisation through renewable energy at the forefront of this change. As nations face increasing pressure to secure a livable future, decarbonisation is not just an environmental concern but an economic and humanitarian necessity.
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power produce little to no GHG emissions, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Countries like Denmark and Germany have successfully integrated large shares of renewable energy into their grids and significantly reduced their carbon footprints. By investing in renewables, these nations have not only cut emissions but also created thousands of jobs and enhanced energy security.
For Singapore, the threat of climate change is ever present. Rising sea levels endanger coastal infrastructure, while changing weather patterns risk disrupting vital resources like water and food. By embracing green innovation and sustainability, Singapore can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and bolster resilience against climate change.
The time to act is now—our planet’s future depends on it.
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