Climate change is a world threatening issue we are facing right now. We have been ignoring this problem for years, but we can’t any longer. It is time to take action to save our planet and the many species that live among it. In this article we will explore the causes and effects of climate change. We will also discuss at the end why this is an important issue and what we can do about it. Making small changes in our daily lives could save our future.
Desk, India Today Web. “Climate Change Denial Disorder: 2018 Becomes Earth’s Fourth Hottest Year on Record.” India Today, 11 Feb. 2019, www.indiatoday.in/science/story/2018-becomes-earth-fourth-hottest-year-on-record-1451447-2019-02-08.
What are the causes of climate change?
First, we need to get a better understanding of what climate change is. In order to solve a problem, it is very important to thoroughly understand what the problem is.
The causes of climate change are primarily human caused. We have released tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over the years from the use of various, harmful technology. The damage we have caused started in the Industrial Revolution back in the 18th century and has continued to worsen since then. The primary source of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere is from burning fossil fuels. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. All of these gasses occur naturally, but humans have caused the amount in the atmosphere to rise significantly. In fact, CO2 concentrations have risen approximately 40% since before the Industrial Revolution. We release 30 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. When the sun hits the Earth, the atmosphere absorbs some energy and releases the rest as heat back into space. The greenhouse gases make it so the atmosphere absorbs more energy, making the Earth warmer than it should be (Causes of Climate Change).
One large source of the abundance of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere is from current transportation methods. It makes up 28.9% of the total greenhouse gas emissions, which is the largest share of emissions. Another source is electricity, making up 27.5% of greenhouse gas emissions. Industries work makes up 22.2% of the emissions being produced. This comes from burning fossil fuels for energy to produce goods. 11.6% of greenhouse gas emissions come from commercial and residential buildings primarily from producing heat. Agriculture makes up 9% of greenhouse emissions, from farming and livestock production (Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions).
What are the effects of climate change?
The activities that are mentioned previously all intertwine and cause the issue we have today. We are seeing the effects from the damage we are doing to our planet. Temperatures are rising, oceans are rising, ice caps are melting, the agriculture season is shifting, and species are going becoming severely endangered. NASA reports show the severity of these issues. Precipitation patterns have been changing and will continue to do so if climate change persists and worsens. Most of the U.S. has experienced an increase in precipitation, but the Southwest has been seeing less. This has and will lead to droughts. Droughts and heatwaves in the Southwestern United States have been becoming more frequent and more intense. Strong Hurricanes have also become more common from the effects of climate change. Storm intensity and rainfall are predicted to increase as the Earth continues to warm. Oceans are continuing to rise causing more flooding in many areas which can be devastating at times (The Effects of Climate Change). These direct effects will only get worse as climate change continues.
Who cares?
If you got this far, you may wonder why any of this information maters. We need to preserve our beautiful planet for future generations. Earth provides us with life, and it is our responsibility to take care of it. It isn’t fair to the many other innocent species to destroy their homes and put them at risk of extinction just because of our wrong doings. If we want our planet to survive and humanity to grow, we must first save our home. This is why it is important to fix climate change, to sustain our future.
What you can do to make a difference.
Change is possible and necessary. It is up to us to preserve our future. One way to be more environmentally conscious is to use less energy. Turn off lights when you aren’t home and unplug items that aren’t in use. Another way to help the planet is cut back on harmful sources of transportation. Try to opt for public transportation or ride a bike or walk if you can. This can heavily reduce your carbon footprint. You should also try to be conscious of what businesses you support when you go shopping. Try to support eco-friendly businesses. It is also good to reuse clothes. Consider going thrift shopping instead of going to a big department store. You can make a difference in politics as well. Different politicians have different views and plans for the environment. Consider voting for people who share your views and care about Earth’s sustainability (How to Act on Climate Change).
References:
“Causes of Climate Change.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 27 Dec. 2016, https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-change-science/causes-climate-change_.html.
“How to Act on Climate Change.” Earth Day Network, https://www.earthday.org/campaigns/climateaction/.
“Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 13 Sept. 2019, https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions.
“The Effects of Climate Change.” NASA, NASA, 30 Sept. 2019, https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/.
