A WORLD IN CRISIS Can we turn back THE CLOCK?

As our planet enters ‘code red’, now, more than ever, we need to make monumental changes for the sake of our future. Woman investigates

- MISHAAL KHAN, SHONA SIBARY

For decades, we’ve been told of the environmental damage we’ve inflicted on our planet. For many of us, however, the effects of climate change felt a long way off, affecting generations not yet born, and, while large numbers of people began to make smarter changes to help the environment, millions ignored the warnings.

But we can no longer hide away from reality. As our planet heads for the danger zone, experts warn that if we don’t act now, by 2030 the climate crisis will become irreversible. They warn we will see more extreme weather, such as devastating flooding, scorching temperatures and a rise in sea levels. And many parts of the world, including areas within the UK, will disappear under water by as early as 2050.

Some experts predict that life as we know it could look very different. Air quality may be so poor that it could affect visibility and our health, and special masks allowing us to breathe safely could become the norm. Some have even talked about a shortage of clean drinking water.

Earlier this month, world leaders met at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to discuss how to save our planet. But we must all play our part.

‘I WAS MORE ECO WIMP THAN WARRIOR’

Writer Shona Sibary, 50, lives in West Sussex with her four children, Flo, 23, Annie, 20, Monty, 19, and Dolly, 12.