Environmental activism dates back decades, but as the years go on, the need to protect the environment becomes more and more urgent. With climate change already creating droughts, famine, and flooding across the globe, it is worrisome to see the White House pull out of important environmental policies (such as the Paris Climate Agreement) and protect the use of fossil fuels. Despite the consistent support from a majority of scientists, concerns about the financial cost of mitigating climate change and the political divisiveness in America has led to a large portion of America ignoring climate change and rationalizing ignorance about climate change with lies. First of all, the effects of climate change are going to become much more expensive if we do nothing about it, but there is also evidence supporting the economic growth behind environmentally friendly practices (like renewable energy). Secondly, when politicians and prominent political figures use these misconceptions (aka, lies) to justify putting profit over the environment, it leads people to believe that climate change isn’t as big of a problem as people think it is, or that it isn’t even a problem at all. You may know someone who is quick to rationalize climate change in a way that does not put human beings (or more specifically, Americans) at fault. I have been in a difficult position where somebody is denying climate change, and I disagree with them, but I can’t quite articulate why they are wrong. I find it incredibly concerning that climate change is not considered a truth, since the first step to making a change is acknowledging that there is a problem in the first place. Real change will only occur when the government and large corporations are pressured into changing their practices, and we need the support of the masses to instigate this pressure. Consider this your very own guide with relevant information explaining how we know climate change is real and why it is due to human interference.
Cold Temperature Don’t Negate Global Warming
Climate change and global warming are often used interchangeably, and that’s because a big concern about climate change is the rising global temperature leading to countless consequences around the world. However, I think we’ve all seen the occasional comment that goes something like, “How can global warming be real if we just had one of the coldest winters in record history?”
Firstly, the weather and climate are not the same things. Weather is what varies from day to day, which includes a sudden cold front, or unexpected snow for two weeks in a certain region (hello, Pacific Northwest). The climate of a region is the weather conditions over an extended period of time, like how the Pacific Northwest’s climate has more rainfall than Southern California, for example. This doesn’t distract from the fact that global temperatures are steadily increasing, and have been for over a century. While the weather comes and goes, the overall planet temperature increases. Much of this heat is absorbed by the ocean, so that’s why we don’t see as much heat being absorbed by earth’s surface.
Yes, Global Temperature Fluctuates, But Not This Much
Another common misconception I hear is that global temperature does fluctuate about 5 degrees, so this global increase in temperature is totally normal. While it is true that global temperature does fluctuate about 5 degrees Celsius, this is over the course of a hundred thousand years. Right now, it is estimated that we have warmed the earth 1 degree Celsius since the start of the industrial period, and we are projected to reach 2 degrees by 2030. Obviously, a couple of hundred years is much quicker than hundreds of thousands of years. The Earth’s temperature is currently increasing at a much, much faster rate, and we can pin this back to intense human development when our emissions significantly increased.
Climate Change is Happening Right Here, Right Now
Some people prefer not to think of climate change because they imagine an eventual doomsday that will occur and destroy the earth, which I’ll admit, isn’t really the happiest thought to have swirl around in your brain. However, ignoring climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a human rights issue. In North America, we are for the most part shielded from the current consequences of climate change, as our geographical location and our country’s wealth combine to make a pretty safeguard against climate change. However, for those who live in more extreme climates, climate change makes these climates even more severe, such as longer dry seasons which leave many who rely on their own agriculture to feed them with less food during times when the harvest is not ready. And because many crops rely on a certain climate to grow, certain communities are running out of room to successfully grow their food, which also affects their ability to make money. The good news is that by helping to stop climate change, we are also helping eradicate poverty and other economic injustices. Similarly, many organizations helping those in poverty recognize how climate change plays a role and thus help poor communities adapt to and even mitigate further effects of climate change.
Of course, there is much more research out there, but these are simple enough concepts that can be raised the next time someone brings up one of these popular misconceptions. One of the most important things when trying to convince someone of climate change is to not just go at it with facts alone; if evidence was all we needed to convince people of the truth, then we wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place. It is important to go into a dialogue with someone by recognizing our common humanity and even our common concerns. For example, growing up in Los Angeles the Southern California drought was always a prevalent issue in our community. If we start conversations about climate change through the lens of a Californian who does not want to see a rise in the cost of water, then people in that community may be more open to listening. It is also important to realize that it is important to listen to the other person and realize that they’re concerns are valid, and treating everyone with respect (not being condescending, or insulting someone for their character or another unrelated attribute) is the only way this conversation can be constructive. These facts are helpful when someone’s main issue is misinformation, but there is much more work to be done to make people feel driven to help stop the effects of climate change if we want significant change to happen in the near future.