Climate Change — The Silent Killer Lurking In The Shadows
In recent years, the world has spiraled out of control with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the brutal Invasion of Ukraine, and the Social Justice movement, but there is one detrimental issue we have seem to have forgotten about — climate change. Hidden in the commotions caused by these other world-altering current events, climate change has been overlooked as a whole while the effects become more severe and significant as time passes. In 2022, scientists issued a critical warning, stating that urgent and significant actions must be taken within the next eight years. Failure to address climate change during this crucial time frame would lead to irreparable, long-term consequences that would haunt the Earth until it’s gruesome fate in the future.
Like any other conflicts on Earth, us human beings are undeniably at the core of the issue. Prior to the existence of human beings, Earth underwent a process of global warming because of a variety of natural factors. Following the ice age era, for instance, the global temperature would typically rise by approximately 4 to 7 degrees Celsius over periods of 5,000 years. However, these conditions are nothing compared to the ones our Earth faces today. This rate of warming is more than ten times faster than historical averages, with an increase of 1.16 degrees Celsius in the past century, signifying the profound impact of human activities on this issue.
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, there has been a substantial rise in the emissions of greenhouse gasses as we rely more on non-renewable energy sources to meet our needs. Common human activities such as transportation, electricity generation, burning fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas), as well as practices in agriculture and forestry, contribute to the escalating issue of global warming. These activities emit greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which possess the unique ability to absorb and re-emit heat. This phenomenon creates a greenhouse effect on Earth, similar to the way a glass exterior of a greenhouse traps heat within its establishment, preventing it from escaping outside. Normally, when solar radiation from the sun reaches the Earth, it is reflected back as heat which can escape freely into space. However, the presence of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere interrupts this natural process. Instead of escaping, the heat radiation is absorbed by the greenhouse gasses and re-emitted back towards the Earth’s surface, forcing heat radiation back into the atmosphere. This endless cycle perpetuates a cycle of continuous warming, leading to an exponential rise in global temperatures.
Although a one degree Celsius increase in global temperature every century or so may not seem like too significant of an issue, nature says otherwise. Due to the effects of global warming, climates are becoming more extreme. Cold temperatures are getting colder and colder while warm temperatures are getting warmer and warmer. You may be wondering how global warming makes cold temperatures colder? It makes no sense. Here’s how. As global warming is heating up the world, it damages the polar vortex, a large area of a large area of low pressure air and cold air surrounding both of the poles on Earth. The increase of warm air disrupts the flow of the polar vortex to become unstable and cool air to flow to disperse into areas it should not usually be, generating colder temperatures for many parts of the world. In addition, weather patterns have become more and more unstable. Flooding, droughts, wildfires, violent storms, and heat waves are all consequences of the small gradual increases in temperatures. These harsh conditions only lead to more major outcomes such as environmental pollution, food shortages, lack of clean drinking water, poverty, sickness and potentially death. Who could have thought that a slight temperature increase can terrorize the world we love and care for dearly.
Putting an end to climate change is easier said than done. The efforts of a sole person can only go so far. In order to bring an end to this crisis, people all over the world must join forces to fight against this problematic issue. We must find ways to reduce our carbon footprint by any means before it is too late. Simple actions such as reducing electricity usage, recycling materials, reducing waste, reusing old products, using renewable energy sources (solar panels, windmills), taking public transport, walking to your destination, and using cold water are some of the many ways you can contribute in this war against climate change. Furthermore, voicing your opinions upon this global issue and protesting for action against climate change are some of the more valuable actions you may perform. Spreading awareness about the severity of this problem will convince more and more people to join arms together in the fight against climate change. We need to unite the world together anyhow we can. Finally, the most important aspect of this battle is involving the government. If you feel passionate about the fight against climate change, make sure to vote for a candidate whom you believe will lead your nation down the best path in the struggle against global warming.
We only have so much time left before the point of no return. Let’s work together and get our world out of this one way path to certain doom. United we fight for a brighter future, divided we wait for our tragic fate.
Sources:
https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/
https://www.ucdavis.edu/climate/definitions/what-is-the-polar-vortex
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/02/is-climate-change-affecting-the-polar-vortex/
https://climatekids.nasa.gov/greenhouse-effect
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/climate-change/causes-climate-change_en
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/is-climate-catastrophe-really-10-years-away.pdf
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/GlobalWarming
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/what-climate-change#measured
https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/global-temperatures-set-reach-new-records-next-five-years
https://www.forbes.com/sites/uhenergy/2018/09/07/exactly-how-much-has-the-earth-warmed-and-does-it-matter/?sh=6d281ba65c22
