The Warmest Year on Record

Anissa Campa
Aug 8, 2017 · 3 min read
Midday traffic over the San Bernardino Freeway on Tuesday, August 8, 2017. Photo by Isaac Ramirez.

Two thousand and sixteen was the warmest year on record according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). With an average temperature of 58.9 degrees F, weather and climate disasters accumulated a total of 53 deaths with the state of Nevada holding the most casualties. California concurrently endured a three-year drought beginning January 17, 2014.

In April 2017, Governor Jerry Brown issued Executive Order B-40–17 ending the state of emergency in every California County except Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Since then, many people have drawn their attention to the topic of climate change.

The study of climate change began in 1896 when Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius observed the effect of infrared radiation proving the heat-felt waves formed a gaseous compound in the atmosphere known as “greenhouse gases.” This resulted in an overall increase in the Earth’s temperature tremendously impacting the four spherical regions of Earth including land, water, air and life.

While carbon dioxide is the leading cause in Earth’s increasing temperature, several factors such as fossil fuel, electricity and deforestation have accelerated the concentration of other gaseous compounds in the air such as methane and nitrous oxide.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center stated that within approximately 200 years, “human activity has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by 40 percent, and other gases, such as methane (natural gas) by a factor of 2 to 3 or more.”

Ocean life is also in a state of crisis due to non-point land pollution such as washed up soda cans, fishing nets and plastic bags. Oil spills and chemical discharge known as point source pollution are major toxic contributors to water pollution. Ocean debris ultimately causes many previously bio-filled marine areas to become known as “dead zones.”

Among many other elements, plastic, Styrofoam and heavy metals are largely integrated into water pollution. Many fish consume these harmful contaminants affecting the food that humans eat. These toxic chemicals such as bisphenol-A or BPA are believed to be possible carcinogens interfering with human hormonal function.

“Approximately 1.4 billion pounds of trash per year enters the ocean,” according to the NOAA. “No matter whether students live near the coasts or far inland, they are a part of the problem and the solution to ocean pollution. Through education, students can be informed of the types of pollution and actions that they can do to prevent further pollution of the ocean.”

Recent government actions such as greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards, Clean Air Act, and Clean Power Plan have been effective in reducing greenhouse gases since 2009.

With a population of nearly 7.5 billion people, human effort is crucial. There are several ways in which each individual can contribute to the overall quality of the planet, beginning with education. Taking simple steps to conserve energy and fuel omission include carpooling, turning off electricity when not in use, replacing air conditioning filters and tuning cars regularly. Read more about steps to prevent global warming here.

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