The number of people exposed to extreme heat is rising rapidly. From 2018 to 2022, over half a billion people in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and partner countries experienced temperatures above 35°C—an 11.3% increase from 1981-2010. In 2022 alone, more than 45% faced at least two weeks of extreme heat (OECD, 2023). Agricultural droughts are intensifying, wildfires have been raging at unprecedented scales with a record-breaking land area burnt and increasing mean temperatures alter rainfall patterns affecting agricultural production and increasing vulnerability. These are just some of the climate impacts OECD have measured the last decades, showing how they are accelerating and becoming even more extreme (OECD, 2023).
There is progress but more ambition and efforts are needed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
Political change is essential to addressing these environmental crises we face today. However, achieving meaningful change is a complex and challenging process. Despite the international agreements and national policies, actually seeing these commitments through is difficult.
The role of circular economy and renewable energy
A shift towards a circular economy, inspired by nature’s regenerative processes, could significantly reduce environmental pressures. Greenpeace highlights that transitioning to a circular economy can help preserve resources and minimise waste by promoting reuse and recycling (Holden, 2023). They also write how political will is the only thing missing for this kind of green transition.
In the energy sector, the EU has made significant steps. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind now accounting for 22% of total electricity production in 2022, a large increase from previous years. From 2010 to 2022, the EU’s production of solar and wind power increased from 163 to 624 TWh. (Øystese, 2023).
Above we see a graph that shows the changes in EU´s energy source from year 2000 until today (Ember, n.d.). This shows us how the coal usage has been cut in half, and how much renewables have been upscaled. So change is actually doable. But is it quick enough?
The need for political change
Environmental crises, including biodiversity loss and climate change, demand urgent and coordinated political action. The UN has recognised this need by declaring 2021-2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, emphasising the importance of preventing, halting, and reversing ecosystem degradation (United Nations, 2019). This initiative highlights the necessity for swift action to combat the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, focusing on fostering a culture of restoration and educating future generations.
Similarly, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at COP15 in December 2022, aims to halt and reverse nature loss. This agreement sets ambitious global targets for conservation, sustainable management, and tackling ecosystem degradation (regjeringen.no, 2023). A key concept introduced in the agreement is “land neutrality,” emphasising the need to balance development with conservation efforts.
What we see is a huge effort on making a sufficient change in makro scale – but are the countries themselves able to see them through? And how much do these environmental policies affect the average EU citizen? What I want to find out is if these policies are actually implemented, and if so, are they making sufficient change? I also wonder If the real fight is the value-change of the citizens these policies affect. If so, this is where I would focus my energy on as a designer.
Sources:
Ember. (n.d.). Electricity Data Explorer. Retrieved from https://ember-energy.org/data/electricity-data-explorer/
Greenpeace. (2023, November 6). Det grønne skiftet i Norge mangler bare politisk vilje. Retrieved from https://www.greenpeace.org/norway/nyheter/energi/det-gronne-skiftet-i-norge-mangler-bare-politisk-vilje/
Nyhus, Håvard. (2025). Sp-ordførarar vil ha Sp-exit: – Elles er vi eit parti utan ryggrad. Retrieved from https://www.nrk.no/vestland/sp-ordforarar-vil-ha-sp-exit_-_-elles-er-vi-eit-parti-utan-ryggrad-1.17221337
OECD. (2023). The Climate Action Monitor 2023. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2023/11/the-climate-action-monitor-2023_d9ee6e77.html
Regjeringen.no. (2023). Det globale Kunming-Montreal-rammeverket for naturmangfold (Naturavtalen). Retrieved from https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/klima-og-miljo/naturmangfold/innsiktsartikler-naturmangfold/det-globale-kunming-montreal-rammeverket-for-naturmangfold-naturavtalen/id2987476/
United Nations. (2019). Strategy of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Retrieved from https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/strategy
WWF. (n.d.). Politisk påvirkning og policy-arbeid. Slik arbeider WWF. Retrieved from https://www.wwf.no/slik-arbeider-wwf/en-politikk-for-mer-natur
Øystese, Kirsten. (22nd March, 2023). I 18 EU-land står sol og vind for mer enn 15 prosent av strøm-produksjonen. Energi og Klima. Retrieved from https://www.energiogklima.no/nyhet/i-18-eu-land-star-sol-og-vind-for-mer-enn-15-prosent-av-strom-produksjonen
