Global Climate Change
The Problem
The warming of the Earth's atmosphere has seen drastic changes in the last 50 years alone. Human activity is causing detrimental effects to the health of the planet and all of its inhabitants. A rise in harmful carbon emissions has created the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a process by radiation (heat) is reabsorbed into the Earth's atmostphere due to greenhouse gases. The excess of these gases is caused by human activity such as: cars, factories, the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas, and deforestation.
Rising Sea Levels
One of the most impactful effects of climate change or global warming is the melting of the polar ice caps. The high temperatures that have been created cause glaciers and other ice forms in the polar regions to melt. The excess water in the ocean causes sea levels to rise worldwide. Reasearch indicates that sea levels have been rising at .14 inches per year since 1990. Not only does this encroach on existing land, and human habitats, but it is also breaking down the ecological systems of the polar regions. Many species are found without a home, and without a food source.
There is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than at any point in the last 800,000 years.
The Solution
While there is not one, concrete solution to the issue of climate change, there are several steps that can be taken to prevent further damage.
- Buying energy efficient appliances
- Phasing out fossil fuels
- Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy (solar, wind, nuclear)
- Instituting energy incentive programs
- Creating a more sustainable transportation sector