In this article, we’ll discuss what remote sensing is, how it could help us to adapt to climate change, and also why it may be a more overrated tool in the midst of global warming than you might think.

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Ines Gendre

After graduating in 2016 with a master’s degree in marketing, Ines began her career in project management. However she soon decided to turn towards writing, to bring her core competencies to the service of societal changes. First working as a freelance copywriter, she joined Greenly in early 2022 to help fight global warming.

Matthieu Vegreville

Matthieu is a 28 year-old graduate engineer from Ecole Polytechnique and Télecom Paris, with a background in data science at Withings. While there, he worked on watch activity detection algorithms, and developed a health study activity so that connected objects could be used to better monitor certain pathologies. He has long been involved in data science projects with his brother, who has the same training. Faced with the urgency of the climate crisis, he decided to put his know-how at the service of the environment. 

After seeking opportunities to put her various creative passions to good use, she joined Greenly in mid 2022 as SEO copywriter for the U.S. blog to provide her American perspective on the climate change issues we face today.

Stephanie Safdie - Greenly

Stephanie completed a bachelor's degree in English & Multimedia in 2020 at the University of Maryland College Park. She previously worked as a social media content video creator and freelance copywriter. After seeking opportunities to put her various creative passions to good use, she joined Greenly in mid 2022 as SEO copywriter for the U.S. blog to provide her American perspective on the climate change issues we face today. 

Kara joined the team at Greenly in 2023 as SEO copywriter for the UK market.

Kara Anderson - Greenly

Kara studied her bachelors of law at the University of Glasgow and her masters in international law at the University of Aberdeen, before looking for a more creative career path. She found this in advertising, working as a content manager in London. After a move to Paris in 2019 she decided to switch to freelance copywriting in order to scratch her creative itch. Kara joined the team at Greenly in 2023 as SEO copywriter for the UK market.  

Arnaud Delubac

Arnaud, 26 years old, trained as a designer and in digital communication at INSEEC before joining the Master Entrepreunariat at ESSEC-CentraleSupélec. Passionate about social media since his teenage years, he has created some of the biggest Twitter communities in France before joining the digital communication team of the Prime Minister’s office in Matignon. It was at the Secretaries of State for Digital, Mounir Mahjoubi and Cédric O, where Arnaud directly managed the team, that he developed a strong conviction for the need to use technology to bring awareness to the greatest causes of our time.

Alexis Normand

Alexis is a 37 year-old graduate of HEC and Sciences-Po. After his studies, he spent 2 years working in public policy consulting. He then spent 6 years at Withings, a leading company in connected objects. While there, he continued the companies operations in Boston, USA, and created the company’s health department. After the company was bought by Nokia, he joined the startup Embleema by working through Techstars, one of the best startup incubators in the United States, where he developed a taste for entrepreneurship. His return to France was an opportunity to put all his experience at the service of the environment, during a crucial moment in the climate crisis.

Justine Dumont

Justine a toujours été passionnée de lecture et d’écriture. En 2019, elle parvient justement à faire de sa passion son métier, en devenant rédactrice web indépendante. Motivée par ses engagements écologiques, elle rejoint l’équipe de Greenly en 2022 afin de mettre ses compétences au service de la cause environnementale. 

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IPCC AR6: 5 questions to understand Chapter 5

Individuals can fight against climate change. Here, we answer 5 questions that may help you to understand how.

<p id="">Today, we are talking about an issue that is particularly important to us: what if individuals could also contribute to the fight against climate change? Don’t roll your eyes, we know. 😉 We know - like you -&nbsp; that without major structural, industrial, and political changes (the list is not exhaustive), things will remain complicated. BUT the fact is that the impact - and contribution - that people can make&nbsp; to climate change is real. For this reason, if we want to get out of this quagmire, we must agree to contribute to the collective effort - even on our own small scale. You want to join us? Today, we are looking at Chapter 5 of the last IPCC’s report. What does it say about this? Here are 5 questions to simply understand its content.</p><p id="">‍</p><blockquote id="">👉 Feel free to consult our summaries of <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/ipcc-ar6-5-questions-to-understand-chapter-1" id="">chapter 1</a>, <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/ipcc-ar6-5-questions-to-understand-chapter-2" id="">chapter 2</a>, <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/ipcc-ar6-5-questions-to-understand-chapter-3" id="">chapter 3</a> and <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/ipcc-ar6-5-questions-to-understand-chapter-4" id="">chapter 4</a>.</blockquote><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/629605c343cc9b6812aaf802_SawK7Qh95-4scHSZEjFZzjRMbAVElvLWRiz9Zz3nxnIF3jLoQQZ_mDug5dt0UX41E0cG5Q4fiaVMl4cK0folp5i8A6fp1rKki_rijkNjQYaV1udO6MA85YnVR_7ScmEEzt1Eh4vAWt-5N9wFcg.jpeg" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">📉 Could regulating demand really have an impact on reducing CO2 emissions?</h2><p id="">Yes, without any doubt. Both mitigating demand-side and finding new ways of providing services can help avoid, shift, and improve final service demand. Moreover, it’s important to be aware that <strong id="">fast and deep changes in demand make it easier to reduce GHG emissions in the short and medium term</strong>. Regardless of the activity sector.</p><blockquote id="">One figure? The reduction potential of the strategies focusing on demand-side (across all sectors) is about 40-70% less emissions by 2050.&nbsp; 5.7 GtCO2eq for building use and construction, 8 GtCO2eq for food demand, 6.5 GtCO2eq for land transport, and 5.2 GtCO2eq for industry.&nbsp;</blockquote><p id="">In the IPCC’s report, these “mitigation strategies” have been classified as Avoid-Shift-Improve (ASI) options. That is to say that they embody opportunities for socio-cultural, infrastructural, and technological change.&nbsp;</p><p id="">The biggest “Avoid potential” would come from reducing long-haul aviation and providing short-distance low-carbon urban transport infrastructures. The greatest “Shift potential” would deal with switching to plant-based diets. And the best “Improve potential” would focus on the building sector.&nbsp;</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/629605c3cd2bc537d1eaee6a_qbDGgbZp-sLov_hDe8xBYmeVQrrh2-VkdzEEqvSgHjl0NY001fjyMs1XJduS42CpUYb0-8HcXjYDDLXuPWDzCmg2aTUdtw5g3TxVLPVmxck6ZJAeBIfleOLQLCymin0hCiYwh141kr6R9F7CMg.jpeg" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">❓ Are Decent living standards (DLS) consistent with climate change mitigation?</h2><p id="">Yes, they are. 😃</p><p id="">Decent living standards (DLS) - that is to say material conditions for human well-being - are achievable “<em id="">through the implementation of high-efficiency low demand mitigation pathways</em>”. In fact, the IPCC’s report underlines that Decent Living Standards (DLS) overlap with many of the several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations (UN).</p><p id="">More precisely, <strong id="">providing better services with less energy is consistent with providing well-being for all</strong>.</p><p id="">However, it is important to keep in mind that the type of energy services that currently meet human needs - nutrition, shelter, health, etc. - vary according to local contexts, cultures, geography, available technologies and social preferences. This means that their ecological consequences may be different from one country to another. Logically, the journey to sustainability will not be the same for everyone.</p><p id="">“<em id="">In the near term, many less-developed countries and poor people will require better access to safe and low-emissions energy sources to ensure decent living standards and increase energy savings from service improvements by about 20-25%</em>”. And this will require the support of developed countries.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/629605c3c932c6e8a2d04f14_IvQz5UvqotPvsp0yog9aKKgUZIsfTPqP7HK2xTIoBNGTN2dmOb17o9BJfElFegNbNfjfLXz-58kqDYuoF5cqfz9_i1IO9kKwtPzuVZOXR4t--2zX_q08svXvrsSC3ZWzfePHrmPLh8v9_NFv0Q.jpeg" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">💵 Are the richest people likely to contribute significantly to reducing CO2 emissions?&nbsp;</h2><p id="">Let’s be clear: everyone pollutes and <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/carbon-emissions-what-you-need-to-know">emits CO2</a>. Regardless of any income level.</p><p id="">However, it is true that wealthy individuals contribute significantly higher&nbsp;carbon emissions. For this reason, they have a higher potential for emissions reductions, while maintaining decent living standards.&nbsp;</p><p id="">This does not mean that modest incomes should feel exempt from any form of effort. After all, sorting your waste or not throwing it anywhere does not require a budget. Right?</p><p id=""><strong id="">Individuals with high socio-economic status are able to contribute significantly to the reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) because they are able to help in very different ways</strong>. By becoming role models of low-carbon lifestyles, for example. Or by investing in low-carbon businesses, advocating for stringent climate policies, etc.</p><blockquote id="">👉 To be noted: <strong id="">social influencers and thought leaders can support the adoption of low-carbon technologies, behaviors, and lifestyles</strong>. Indeed, do not forget that preferences are malleable and can be influenced by a cultural shift. Sustainable shifts undertaken by famous and/or respected community members can help in supporting ecological transition.</blockquote><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/629605c38aba484d850431ba_-ycNY5frlOLMxse7AdHKAuxi8I4W8j-u9YycUhzTZ0ImCVQ7KiMyvP0pkfoY2UydedpLkXa88ZhMKpmSTL9Z_E42iYRhufHLqC2QKu-LvgNt7Dfz1Gjo-oJtOLJWXehIp-PsS1Uy1ZGPEX0GrQ.jpeg" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">🔍 What do we need to implement “demand-side” solutions?</h2><p id="">Both motivation and capacity for change.&nbsp;</p><p id="">Let’s be clear: <strong id="">the individuals or households’ motivation to change their energy consumption behavior is generally low</strong>. All over the world.&nbsp;</p><p id="">Most of the time, people think that taking action in their daily life will not have a real impact. In fact, individual behavioral change is insufficient to tackle global warming unless this change is embedded in structural, cultural and global phenomena.&nbsp;</p><p id="">The problem is that if everyone thinks that way, we will never move on. And we will meet huge disasters.</p><p id="">In this context, it is important to underline that different factors influence individual motivation and capacity for change. And these so-called “factors” go beyond socio-demographic and economic criteria. They also include psychological variables: awareness, perceived risk, social norms, values, etc.&nbsp;</p><p id="">In short: we are talking about education and communication.</p><p id="">If we want to engage demand-side transitions, this will require coordinated changes in several domains. It is the only way to encourage the emergence of new low-carbon configurations. And this involves moving on, socio-cultural, institutional, business, and technological dimensions.&nbsp;</p><p id="">Conclusion? <strong id="">No one should shirk his responsibility in global warming</strong>. We all contribute. And we can all do something.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/629605c496a06d4434856d2b_hUJ_D7T6jXz2A70O9lFP9L6CnOyggaUm5IbQ7a6rmi5xI8ATk7BHfQ-qG2zS_CVAJKrWxbqwhU9ua4YkyBdV2BgaT1g5jfC7cZmhk1R6md0EdhtGXEIcM-ho5Dabjr2mWE6d5x9YyIR55JhWgA.jpeg" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">💪 How is collective action likely to make a difference?</h2><p id="">Again: <strong id="">everyone can act and contribute to climate change mitigation as a consumer, a citizen, a professional, a role model, an investor, or a policymaker</strong>.</p><p id="">The report says: “<em id="">Changes in social norms often start with pilot experiments led by dedicated individuals and niche groups</em>”. People’s consolidation is essential to create entry points to prompt infrastructure and policy reconfigurations, supporting the further uptake of technological and lifestyle innovations.&nbsp;</p><p id="">Moreover, mitigation policies sometimes allow the participation of many stakeholders, “<em id="">resulting in building social trust, new coalitions, legitimizing change,thus initiating a positive cycle in climate governance capacity and policies</em>”.&nbsp;</p><p id="">We need collective action and social organizing to shift the public policy’s focus on climate change mitigation.</p><p id="">Collective action underpins system change. You know the saying? Unity is strength.</p><p id="">‍</p><figure id="" class="w-richtext-figure-type-image w-richtext-align-center" data-rt-type="image" data-rt-align="center"><div id=""><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/6232f79b68d15d3d9b69c096/629605c45da66e141a35cd9a_hPMhkUtYswBMlPyoYAciO8jrmX5ejd7SyaMh51GOcJO0D14Ram6Mst9yiQ98pusUk60Pq2weBxOn7oJ7Wl15fFB7acdSh53FAJskATi6X8snbtib50ND-0FIA5Po9xJFaPba9h-K4aaE--b-4A.jpeg" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto" id=""></div></figure><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">📝 What do you need to remember?</h2><p id="">A sustainable and successful ecological transition can only happen if everyone pulls in the same direction. It’s as simple as that. Politicians, industrialists, collectives, individuals, etc.&nbsp;</p><p id="">We are talking here about complementarity. If some initiatives or approaches can only come from the ruling classes, <strong id="">populations can already act at their own level - mainly in terms of consumption habits - or even support new initiatives that, If they are massively endorsed, could influence political decisions</strong>.</p><p id="">While it is clear that the richest populations can make wider efforts than others, it is important to remember that everyone can and must contribute to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. This inevitably involves a profound questioning of our lifestyles and consumption patterns.&nbsp;</p><blockquote id="">Serious changes must be made. We cannot continue to over-consume. The planet will not stand for it. And we don’t have another one.&nbsp;</blockquote><p id="">The idea? To undertake this changing process in the best possible conditions, before having to do it in an emergency.</p><p id="">‍</p><h2 id="">🌳 What about you?</h2><p id="">Do you want your company/organization to do its part? <a href="https://www.greenly.earth/en-us/demo" id="">Call our experts</a> and ask for your carbon assessment!</p><p id="">‍</p><p id=""><strong id="">🚀 if you enjoyed reading this article, here are a few more : </strong></p><ul id=""><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/electric-cars-are-they-really-ecological" id="">Electric cars: are they really ecological?</a></li><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/why-should-investors-consider-esg-companies" id="">Why should investors consider ESG companies?</a></li><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/what-are-the-main-pollution-emissions" id="">What are the main pollution emissions?</a></li><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/what-is-carbon-offsetting-and-removal" id="">What is carbon offsetting and removal?</a></li><li id=""><a href="https://www.greenly.earth/blog-en/7-reasons-to-not-believe-in-climate-change" id="">7 reasons to not believe in climate change</a>‍<br><br></li></ul><p id=""><br></p>

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IPCC AR6: 5 questions to understand Chapter 5

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Could Remote Sensing Help to Adapt to Climate Change?

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