Melting Polar Ice Caps. Rising World Temperatures. Ocean Acidification. These are just a few of the many pieces of evidence indicating climate change happening in our world today. Yet, we still often chose to neglect climate change and the serious consequences that it can cause in the future. This makes it of uttermost importance that we address the important current issue of climate change. Today, in my blog, I am going to be explaining the science behind climate change, the effects of climate change, and how YOU can make a difference to help reduce climate change in the world!
What is Climate Change?
In simple words, climate change is the long-term change in the world’s weather patterns, caused by the increase in greenhouse emissions by human activities. To explain climate change you need to understand the greenhouse effect (you may have heard of this before!). The greenhouse effect is a natural process in which heat that enters the earth’s atmosphere is trapped by greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide, methane, etc.). The greenhouse effect is necessary to sustain life on earth! However, the real problem causing climate change is the “enhanced greenhouse effect” (otherwise, known as global warming), where human activities are releasing too many greenhouse gases, which increases the heat being trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. This excess heating is contributing to many problems, and more specifically it is changing the world’s long-term weather patterns, which is why this phenomenon is referred to as climate change.
What are the effects?
As mentioned before, climate change can have many devastating consequences for our society. Because of global climate change, the loss of sea ice, accelerated sea-level rise, and longer, more intense heat waves will occur. In addition, the frost-free season will lengthen, changes in precipitation patterns, more droughts, and heatwaves. Scientists have predicted that global temperatures will rise for the years to come, and continue to have many more effects. As NASA mentions,
“Taken as a whole, the range of published evidence indicates that the net damage costs of climate change are likely to be significant and to increase over time.”
How can YOU help?
In order to reduce your contribution to climate change, you need to reduce your carbon footprint. And, there are many things that you can do to reduce your carbon emissions! Here are some suggestions that you could incorporate into your daily life:
- Lower Plastic Use.
- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
- Decrease Electrical Consumption.
- Opt for alternatives to cars, such as walking, biking, or public transit.
- Plant Trees.
- And, most importantly, raise awareness, and inspire your family, and friends to reduce their carbon emissions.
Always, remember even the smallest act, can make a big difference!
