Due to human psychology, a threatening word can lose its negative sentiment by simply being repeated over and over again without immediate repercussions. You have probably heard the terms “climate change” and “global warming” being tossed around, but have you ever stopped to consider what the ruckus is all about? If most people prefer warmer weather as compared to the icy, snowy days, why the fuss about higher temperatures increasing around the globe? The very world in which we live and breathe is in danger.
Introduction to Climate Change: What Causes This Commotion?
We, humans, have found exciting and creative ways to magnify our impact on our surroundings, but in doing so, we produce dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide that threaten the earth we claim to love. Climate change is not just a distant threat, it is here and actively stealing lives now. Average surface temperatures have risen dramatically and continue to do so. According to NOAA statistics, the 20th century has always been all too cold, and it’s been known to have the record of the coldest temperatures. The last time there was an extremely cold air was in 1909.
However, ever since then, the atmosphere has been growing warmer and warmer. The year of 2015 has been the hottest year (since 1998), and this has caused many scientists to start debating on the issue of climate change. This topic should not only be taken seriously, but also very carefully. Climate change will very likely be the cause to the rapid decrease of snow in colder climates, glaciers starting to melt, and the dramatic increase in sea levels. Our oceans are getting hotter and hotter due to more and more carbon dioxide let out from human emissions, further encouraging sea levels to rise and causing the water we need to live to fill with acid.
What Can We Do to Help?
The devastating reality of climate change is a direct result of human activity. However, just as our actions have given life to this concerning issue, we can use our actions to reverse the damage. Simple changes, such as choosing environmentally-friendly travel methods, will reduce carbon dioxide emissions and help get our planet back on the right track.
You can make the choice to avoid flying in airplanes whenever possible, and make your day-to-day travel a mixture of biking and driving a hybrid, or otherwise “green” car. On laundry day, opting to hang dry your clothes, rather than using a drying machine, will significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Similarly, you can unplug electronics that are not in use and recycle as easy ways to make an impact on a daily basis.
