More often than not, many of us get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and we forget about the important things that matters most in this life, such as protecting our planet earth from climate change.
So why should people be more concerned about climate change? Every time we make a purchase from the store or charge our cellphones, it leaves behind a carbon footprint. According to Good Energy, a carbon footprint is the “amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organisation or community.”
The release of carbon dioxide being released into our atmosphere can be very harmful to our earth, because it increases the greenhouse effect. National Geographic says, the greenhouse effect contributes to “respiratory disease from smog, air pollution, extreme weather, food supply disruptions, and increased wildfires .”
Many people think, well it’s not going to effect me; however, it can. Furthermore, the climate change can lead to the extinction of certain animals that contribute to food availability, our ecosystem that we rely on may break down, risks of natural disasters, people having to relocate from their homes, and our future generations to come.
Extinction of animals
As temperatures begin to increase, there are many animals that are unable to withstand these extreme heat-rise temperatures. For example, 11,000 bats died in Australia last year, because they were not able to survive the extreme heat of 45 degrees Celsius.
So why should we care about the extinction of bats? Well, according to the Bat Conservation Trust, “Bats play an important role in many environments around the world. Some plants depend partly or wholly on bats to pollinate their flowers or spread their seeds, while other bats also help control pests by eating insects.” Without bats, our farmers wouldn’t be able to grow a harvest; therefore, food supply from farming would not be possible.
There are also many other animals that we depend on for our human survival, such as ants and bees. The environmental professionals say, “bees are responsible for pollinating all the plants around us, in fact, they pollinate almost one third of everything you eat. ” Therefore, without bees, fruits such as apples, asparagus, and cucumbers wouldn’t exist.
Furthermore, the BBC documentary Climate Change – the Facts said, “if climate change happens too fast we are causing extinction of species already and that’s irreversible. Scientists believe that 8% of species are now at threat of extinction solely due to climate change.”
Breaking down the ecosystem
Animal extinction is not the only concern. The BBC documentary Climate Change – The Facts also spoke about how “this isn’t just about losing wonders of nature. We also risk losing even the smallest organisms, which would destabilise and ultimately risk collapsing the world’s ecosystem – this is the network that supports the whole of life on earth.”
According to National Geographic, “An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life. Ecosystems contain biotic or living, parts, as well as abiotic factors, or nonliving parts. Biotic Factors include plants, animals, and other organisms. Abiotic factors include rocks, temperature, and humidity.
Every factor in an ecosystem depends on every other factor, either directly or indirectly. A change in the temperature of an ecosystem will often affect what plants will grow there, for instance. Animals that depend on plants for food and shelter will have to adapt to the changes, move to another ecosystem, or perish.”
More chances of natural disasters
As temperature rises, the threats we face multiplies. This year we saw records break as wildfires took hold across the globe, as well as the increase in flooding in the UK due to Storm Ciara and Storm Denis.
Dr Michael Byrne, lecturer in climate science at the University of St Andrews and research fellow at the University of Oxford, said: “These storms are nothing new, going back 100 years, but, because we are now more than 1C warmer as a whole versus pre-industrial times, every degree means 7 percent more water in the atmosphere and more rain in these heavy rain events.”
Storm Ciara and Storm Denis have wrecked havoc all across the United Kingdom these past few months and they are largely related to climate change. Evidence from the MET Office shows that there is a climate emergency, because numbers are showing that there are “a number of winter storms that have increased in the north Atlantic and that they are getting stronger. Heavy rainfall events are also becoming more frequent: warmer air carries more moisture, which means rain falls in heavier showers.”
Reducing rates of people having to relocate
No one likes to move; however, at the rate of just how well we are taking care of our earth many people will have no choice but to do just that – relocate. As homes are invaded by flood waters and lands are destroyed, due to storms and flooding, people will have to relocate, because their homes will not be safe for them to live.
For example, in the United States of America, Louisiana is on the front of the climate crisis. According to the BBC documentary Climate Change – The Facts Louisiana is losing land the fastest, every 45 minutes they are losing the size of a football field. If this continues, people will have to start relocating, because their homes will be surrounded by water.
The impact for our next generation
What we are doing now will effect our next generation – our children and their future children.
Fortunately, younger people have taken interest in climate change and have gotten more proactive by increasing awareness to the government for economy change, because they understand just how much climate change can effect their future. Greta Thunberg, young person activist for climate change, has launched a global action for climate change.
Thousands of people have shown up to these marches lead by Thunberg for climate change. Thunberg addressed to the crowds of people just how severe this problem really is.
“Our leaders behave like children so it falls to us to be the adults in the room. They are failing us but we will not back down,” Greta told the crowds.
“It should not be this way but we have to tell the uncomfortable truth. They sweep their mess under the rug and ask children to clean up for them.
This emergency is being completely ignored by the politicians, the media and those in power.
Basically, nothing is being done to halt this crisis despite all the beautiful words and promises from our elected officials.
So what did you do during this crucial time? I will not be silenced when the world is on fire.”
What can we do now to reduce the risks of climate change?
So what’s next? Well, now that you are more informed of what’s at stake if climate change continues, we can start by being more conscience of our daily living and making changes.
These changes can include just doing the little things; such as turning off the lights when you leave a room, properly insulating your house, reducing meat intake, driving less, and investing in sustainable energy. By starting to do these little things now, we can start to reduce the risks of climate change and build towards a brighter future and a promised tomorrow.
By Jessica Quinlan, Freelance Journalist Updated March 1, 2020
