Global warming and climate change has been a hot topic since the late 1980’s. Since then, the rate of which human activities have pumped carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has only increased, which has made the change in climate more drastic. As of late, the effects of climate change (including increased risk to floods and fire, rising sea levels, and higher average atmospheric temperatures) have affected society to the point that there needs to be a collective solution to the issue.

Fortunately, these solutions are already available. Increasing the resiliency of at-risk areas (such as coastal cities) through involving local communities have started in various regions. Using nature-based solutions such as restoring natural areas like mangroves and forests have been shown to be effective, at least at the local level. The use of technologies, both established and emerging, to come up with solutions. Through both gathering accurate and adequate data, as well as being used to battle climate change, these technologies have been used in different areas with varying levels of success.

Nevertheless, there must be a global collaborative effort for these smaller initiatives to turn the tide against climate change. Major projects that have worked are being used as blueprints for others to follow and modify as necessary. These best practices, as discussed by the ICSI, have the potential to create the best possible outcome for sustainability, and thus reduce or possibly reverse climate change.