An Introduction

Climate change is an alarming problem. Irreversible damage has been done to our planet due to rising global temperatures. One need only look at the current vs historic population of polar bears to see the conclusive evidence. Perhaps one of the most well known and easily understood adverse effects is the rising of our sea levels. Since 1880 they have risen 8 inches. From now until 2100 this is expected to increase a further 1-4 feet! (Nunez, 2018). Our great-grandchildren may never see some of the beaches that we have grown up with. Our children may look at polar bears in the same vain as we do saber-toothed tigers and wooly mammoths.

Unfortunately climate change is not even alone atop the list of problems stemming from our current unsustainability as a species. The pollution we're subjected to at present is tough to ignore (both water and air). It has become a societal norm in many countries to wear protective mouth covers - just to walk around! I recently wrote a college paper in which I discussed the impact of cycling on one's health. I had to include a whole section on the increased air pollution cyclists (often unkowingly) inhale (Panis, 2011). That is just insane! The adverse effects were not negligible. (For any cyclists reading: worry not, the health benefits still far outweighed the negative effects).

What is being done to combat these problems? Currently the most powerful man on the planet doesn't even believe in climate change (and Trump is still a sizeable favourite to win a 2nd election). We are relying on YouTubers to try and improve our CO2 levels and replenish our forests (https://teamtrees.org/). We've had moneyball, big data, and now its time for big sustainability! So just how can technology and information systems improve our worldwide sustainability?.. Stay tuned!!

References:

Panis, L.I. (2011). Cycling: Health Benefits and Risks.Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(3).

Nunez, C. (2017).Sea Level Rise. [online] Nationalgeographic.com. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/sea-level-rise/ [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].