IMPERATIVE: As climate change is underway, humans must begin to respond to what is happening to our planet.
By Tanner Rowland, Staff Writer
Within the past few decades, human activities have sped up the process of global warming and climate change significantly. Although climate change and the rising of temperatures is inevitable regardless of human ventures, we have had the ability to quicken this process in ways that could have been avoided. To respond to the damage we have left on our planet, people must begin to counter the mess we have made, before it is too late.
The first step into helping our planet is by recognizing what we have done to impact it. In correspondence to the rising of our global temperatures, the Union of Concerned Scientists declared that “[e]very one of the past 40 years has been warmer than the 20th century average. 2016 was the hottest year on record. The 12 warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998” (Concerned Scientists). This jump in rising temperatures is due to our carbon dioxide exhaust and the fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas we have let feast into the atmosphere. As more carbon dioxide is released into what once was clean air, heat finds less ways to escape, ultimately leading the planet to obtaining unsurvivable temperatures.
Humans are also hurting the planet greatly through the way we have been treating our oceans. The large scale numbers of plastics and other sources of wastes we have polluted our oceans with have begun harming marine life and affecting the quality of water. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), “40% of the world’s oceans have been affected by human activities, including fishing, coastal development and pollution from shipping” (IUCN). By hurting our oceans through human derived activities, we are choosing to put the cheapest and fastest ways of disposing materials over the quality of life for all marine animals. This must change, as we are taking fresh waters for granted and not responding to the permanent damage we are leaving. The IUCN also included that marine species such as “fish, shellfish and other important species are declining in many places” which has lead to “impairing the ocean’s capacity to provide food, protect livelihoods, maintain clean water, and recover from environmental stresses” (IUCN). The burden we have left and are still continuing to leave on innocent marine life is considerably out of hand, and before we no longer have the opportunity, we must change our ways.
Although the big picture of this situation may seem over our heads, there are many ways people can contribute to creating a sustainable future. Actions such as using reusable bags when grocery shopping, or avoiding the use of straws when out for food all have a beneficial impact on the environment. If one wishes to help the environment within their own home, a serviceable way to do so is by reducing shower times and making sure that when out of the house, all lights are turned off. Purchasing reusable cups and water bottles are also positives steps towards creating a better future, as it reduces the amount of disposal plastic cups distributed. Starbucks, an American corporation, has recently begun selling reusable cups for both cold and warm drinks at affordable prices, offering discounts on drinks to those who use them. It does not have to be much, but any small or large contribution to towards creating a sustainable future will help the world become a cleaner place.
In a time like today, even the smallest effort towards helping our environment means a great deal. If we do not act now on the damage we have caused on our planet, by 2040, people can begin seeing real climate change consequences. With that said, it is important to spread the word that big changes must be made. Through a simple social media post or tweet, we have the ability of making the world a cleaner and safer environment. At the end of the day, the Earth is our home, and as our technology and style of life advances, we must not take it for granted any further.