We have all heard about climate change but many of us might not know what is truly going on and how it can affect our generation and many to come. This year already, we have seen countless disasters including a record-breaking heatwave in South Asia which was 120F on May 2, 2022. As well as a wildfire that spread across Las Vegas, New Mexico on May 1, 2022. Worst of all, we are still continuing to see the  Arctic ice melt. This melting is gradually causing our sea levels to rise, eventually leading to the destruction of coastal homes and cities.

The only way to get these global disasters to stop, we have to understand why they are happening and how. First, it all starts with the sun and its light  (UV and visible light) This is what hits our earth, and while our planet reflects 1/3 of this heat, the other percentage is being pushed back to space. our planet the rest of it gets absorbed by our clouds and the planet’s surface. The remaining light is converted into infrared radiation, which interacts with greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and methane. These interactions result in the rising temperatures scientists have observed since the Industrial Revolution. Simply put, more greenhouse gas emissions mean a hotter planet for you and me.

Not only are we seeing changes in weather, but we can also even see changes in the way wildlife reacts to global warming. For example, we are seeing migrations of certain species of birds, butterflies around the world, and other species. There have also been a ton of habit shifts of our trees here in Missouri. Such as spruce going further north to find cooler climates, and there is even moss growing in Antarctica because the warmer climate is giving more water and moisture to those plants.

Landslides, floods, and irregular water flow are happening more regularly. The reason for this is due to our glacial surfaces having decreased by 50% since the end of the 19th century. But not only that, the ocean has absorbed large amounts of carbon dioxide which are causing an increase in coral bleaching as well as an increase in the temperature of our oceans. Also with the oceans absorbing so much carbon dioxide, this is changing the acidity of the water and can harm organisms by destroying their natural habitats.

Since the air and the oceans are getting warmer we will most likely see more droughts in areas that are higher in level and more floods in areas that are lower, plus we will see harsher storms like hurricanes, and tornadoes and more could reach record-breaking levels. The reason for this is that warmer water will provide more energy and fuel these storms. 

It’s not too late but the clock is ticking research indicates that we are bound to cross out the global warming threshold between the years 2027-2042 which will lead to irreversible damage to our earth’s climate. While you as one person alone won’t be able to solve the climate change crisis, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved and help we all have to come together as a community to help stop climate change. 

While it may seem like we can’t or we don’t have a lot of time the smallest amount of help will give us more time and be better in the long run, and if you don’t know what to do there are a ton of organizations out there you can go to and help by donating. Or you can do some simple things around your house like Change lightbulbs to LEDs. Quality LED lightbulbs can last 25 times longer, are more durable, and use at least 75 percent less energy than other bulbs Recycleling according to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2013 Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash and recycled and composted about 87 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.3 percent recycling rate. 

Most importantly of all, we need to not only do better ourselves but we have to look at the large manufacturers themselves. For example, they are the leading cause of carbon emissions we need to try to push them into using renewable energy which could lead to tremendous cuts in the amount of carbon that is being released into the earth’s atmosphere to this day.

 The fight for climate change shouldn’t start tomorrow it must start today we have waited too long and now the damage is becoming real we are seeing more and more of this we can’t keep turning our heads to this problem that will only get worse. Don’t do it for just you do it for the people around you your kids and your children’s kids.