“We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it”, words by former United States President Barack Obama, but what exactly is it?
I remember the first time I heard about climate change, I was a bit confused, and I think you probably are now.
I understand it’s quite a big topic and especially a tough one for children to comprehend.
But don’t stress because, through the means of this blog, I’m going to do my best to present a climate change introduction in terms as simple as possible.
Also, we’ll look at the factors that contributed to the formation of this issue, learn how it’s impacting the world, and what as a responsible human being, we should do in this matter.
The Greenhouse Effect Explained
Greenhouse gasses consist of various gasses including carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and water vapor.
These all are at the surface of the earth with the responsibility of maintaining a warmer temperature, than it would have otherwise.
Thus, the greenhouse effect is the natural warming process of the earth when these gasses in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun that would otherwise somehow escape into space.
However, this natural process leads to the phenomenon of climate change and global warming when fossil fuel consumption and other human activities contribute to a great concentration of these gasses in the atmosphere.
Why is Climate Change Happening?
Before we move to the solutions to climate change, let me provide you with a clear understanding of its causes which have been mentioned below:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The primary cause of climate change is Human activities, yes you heard that right.
We humans burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for various uses, not realizing that it releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
These gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane trap the heat from the sun, which slowly warms the planet, and result in climate change.
- Deforestation: You must have heard this term before that refers to cutting down trees employing human force.
You even know of the fact that our forests have this amazing ability to absorb carbon dioxide and purify the air by producing oxygen in return.
But as we humans continue to cut down the trees, it’s reducing the count of natural air purifiers, and thus, this act is well-supporting climate change.
- Transportation: Transportation is a major contributor to climate change because almost all of them run on fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel which also release harmful greenhouse gasses.
- Natural Factors: It is said that the earth was formed 4.5 billion years ago, and since then the climate on this planet is changing constantly.
The natural influence on the climate might include volcanic eruption, changes in the orbit of the earth, and the shifting in the earth’s crust.
Once these causes behind climate change are cleared, it’s fairly simple to explore how we can prevent this global phenomenon.
How Does Climate Change Affect Us?
As a result of climate change, the world is getting hotter, and this poses issues for everyone living on the planet Earth.
Some of the ways that this phenomenon affects us include the following:
- Extreme Weather Events: You might have noticed that the weather is getting warmer and warmer these days, causing hurricanes, floods, and droughts, and that’s all of course due to climate change.
- Food Insecurity: Climate change can also negatively impact the soil of the farm, making it challenging for farmers to grow food.
- Health Risks: If Greenhouse gasses continue to increase, they will pollute the air we breathe, hence, we will be trapped by various dangerous diseases including malaria and dengue fever.
- Biodiversity Loss: Not only humans but animals and plants as well are impacted by climate change, and many of them even become extinct.
It is apparent that all people have to look for solutions that can minimize the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
What Can We Do to Help?
It’s never too late, we can still contribute great efforts to assemble our ‘Mother Earth’ into a wonderful planet to live in.
As Nelson Mendola, the first Black president of South Africa, once said “It always seems impossible until it’s done”; we can start by making little changes in our daily routines.
Such as we can choose to walk to cover small distances, utilize renewable energies, plant more and more trees, conserve energies, motivate others to contribute, and make sure you even consume food sustainably.
Bear in mind no matter how big or small the effort is, it surely makes a difference.
How Can We Adapt to Climate Change?
I understand that we are already working so hard to slow down the impact of climate change, and implementing variant measures including Renewable energy sources.
However, until the day our efforts pay off, we have to adapt to its effects as well.
This means we have to make ourselves prepare for more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifting climate patterns.
We can do this by constructing a strong building and homes that can withstand extreme weather and designing a system that can warn people of upcoming disasters.
Moreover, we can advise farmers to make a change in their farming patterns, such as growing crops that are resistant to drought land.
The most prominent of all is spreading more and more awareness so that people can realize the potential hazards of climate change, and obey a sustainable lifestyle.
The Future: What Can We Expect?
Albert Einstein, a great scientist, once said, “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking”.
I fully endorse the view that the fate of the earth is dependent on how you and I change ourselves today.
If the situation is going to remain the same, there’s no uncertainty to say that the future is indeed threatening.
Increasing temperatures, natural disasters, melting glaciers, and extreme weather events, are the common climate change factors we are facing today; no wonder in the future something more dangerous is waiting for us.
Therefore, before things get out of control, bear in mind that you possess the power to effect positive changes.
Grasp and follow the guidance that I have outlined in this blog on how you can help your ‘Mother Earth’ not suffer the harmful attacks of climate change.
Do You Know?
According to the IPCC’s sixth assessment report on the state of our climate, the past decade is likely to have been the hottest period in the last 125,000 years.
Conclusion: We Can Make a Difference
As I have come to further investigate climate change in particular, I have been frightened by the facts that emerge in the analysis at the end of each section.
It’s not ‘only’ the facts and figures, it’s the consequences that we are already undergoing.
Seemingly simple steps, depending on what choices we make in our everyday functions, can pave the way to more reliable and practical environments.
This way we can bring out and make the earth more friendly not only to ourselves but to those who are going to inherit it from us.
