Climate change has been a topic around the world for quite some time. However, not everyone understands what it entails or how exactly it affects Earth. Some don’t believe climate change is an issue affecting our planet. Others have experienced the effects of the above issue firsthand and have genuine concern for the future of Earth. While both sides have their arguments, science supports that climate change is a problem, worsening as time goes on and as humans continue with their habits that have allowed the environment to get to the state it is in now.
Nancy Stash, who is not concerned about climate change, explained her view. “I don’t believe in global warming… Our ecosystem has to go through cycles to keep the process of nature constantly moving and changing. Events like these have happened for years, and, our climate and planet adjust,” Stash explained. However, contrasting evidence exists. The sea level has risen eight inches since 1980, and the climate continues to experience changes, such as changes in coastlines, as a result. The water level increases because, as icebergs and glaciers melt, greater quantities of water become present in the oceans. Yet, there’s nowhere for this additional water to go. In the case of wetlands, the water becomes too deep and converts the wetland into open water. This eliminates wetlands’ benefits and functions (for example, fish habitats). Further proof of global warming includes that over the last 50 years, Austin, Texas has seen an increase in the days with a temperature above 100 F while Houston, Texas has recorded an additional month with temperatures over 95 F. Additionally, the frost-free season, which is the time of year where the ground does not freeze over and allows for plant-growth, has been lengthening since the 1980s. A longer frost-free season affects the ecosystem and agriculture by causing excess evaporation, which can dry out environments across the globe. All of these events are the result of climate change.
Climate change can be explained by the concept of the climate clock, which is a countdown to the next degree increase in temperature for global warming. The climate clock explains that there are eight years left in our “carbon budget,” which would allow us to stay at 1.5C of global warming. The continuous increase in carbon emissions impacts the carbon budget and climate change, harming the natural and societal systems humanity depends on. The official Climate Clock website states, “The science is clear: we are in a Climate Emergency.” Carbon emissions are dangerous to the environment because they can bring about increased heat waves, droughts, forest fires, and floods, which damage the environment, increase the temperature globally, and, in turn, change the climate. These sorts of extreme weather events force 26 million people into poverty each year and can devastate worldwide economies. Climate Clock explains, “Not only are people losing their homes and livelihoods, but also their culture, dignity, and future opportunities.” Carbon emissions are a problem that humans have created and are negatively affected by, but are capable of reducing by shifting to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
Climate change also presents increased water temperatures, which can worsen hurricanes and similar storms. Laci Leuthauser, a high school student living on a canal in Tampa and victim of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, expressed concern for the environment as a result of the recently destructive storms, saying, “I feel the environment is in danger because the water continuously is becoming warmer, which is making these storms stronger and more destructive.” Science agrees with Leuthauser. Storm systems that create hurricanes draw their energy from warm ocean water. As global temperatures rise, hurricanes can generate more energy and become more powerful and destructive than ever before. Leuthauser also explained that Milton and Helene were the worst hurricanes she had ever experienced, bringing the most damage and destruction along with them. Milton and Helene became as powerful and destructive as they did as a result of the warm water from global warming.
Along with increasingly intense hurricanes, climate change has also brought on more severe and long-lasting droughts. Currently, the western part of the U.S. is experiencing its worst drought in 1,200 years. Earth Justice says, “Higher temperatures also lead to drier conditions. When global temperatures rise, moisture evaporates from water bodies and soil.” Essentially, global warming is the main contributing factor to intense droughts around the world. These droughts are expected to only become worse. With worse droughts come wildfires- an incredibly destructive natural event. EarthJustice explains that “Wildfires have always been a natural part of life in the western United States and Canada. However, as this region grows hotter and drier, wildfires are growing in size, ferocity, and speed.” By 2050, the amount of land consumed by wildfires is projected to increase by 2-6 times, all as a result of global warming and climate change.
Climate change, while heavily debated, is scientifically proven to be a major concern for Earth. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its sixth assessment report in 2021, stating that the human emission of heat-trapping gasses, or greenhouse gasses, has warmed the climate by 2 degrees. This change is expected to increase again to 3 degrees in the next few decades. While it may not seem like a significant change in the climate, over time, this will add up and potentially increase more rapidly; the sea level will continue to rise, and precipitation will continue to become more irregular, leading to longer droughts and greater floods and wildfires will increase in frequency and intensity. These are just a few of the impacts of climate change. The science is clear: climate change is a real issue endangering Earth and the future of humanity.
