Climate Change is real, it is unfolding in front of our eyes, and it requires our immediate attention. While it is being equated to impending doom, the issue isn’t necessarily at the forefront of the president’s political agenda. The issue of climate change and solutions for this crisis are often buried under items like immigration, taxes, and our country’s defense system. This doesn’t mean that they have to do the same within your own political agenda. Learning about all the effects of climate change is vital in making a difference and it can influence your peers to do the same. These issues can be overwhelming and somewhat difficult to understand, so read about the fast facts surrounding our climate issue in order to help.
Greenhouse Gasses
The world’s climate has always been changing, however more recently, it is moving at a rapid pace, due to human impact. Greenhouse gas sounds cute, right? Well, it’s a little bit more intense than your grandmother’s backyard greenhouse. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, resulting in a warmer Earth. Once absorbed into the atmosphere they band together and become globally intertwined. Even more concerning? Carbon dioxide is the gas most emitted by humans and human activities.
Global Warming
Climate change is also referred to as global warming, but that does not mean that there aren’t certain regions that haven’t been experiencing some extremely cold days. National Geographic reported that due to the warmer arctic temperatures, the Northeastern part of the U.S will experience colder winters. Additionally, the American midwest experienced something called a polar vortex. A polar vortex is a low pressure area of swirling cold air, a rotating air mass that starts in the North Pole. Extreme weather, like negative forty-four degrees, is something that is a side effect of global warming. Global warming often has extreme distortions in the winter, as well as, the summer.
Paris Climate Agreement
The Paris Agreement is an agreement once signed by the United States among other nations coming together to conquer climate change. The Paris Climate Agreement was created April 22nd, 2015. The countries involved are collaborating their technological resources to help most vulnerable countries and regions of the world first.
In the year of 2017, Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement because one of the key staples in his campaign was to help side with the coal mining industry, which was heavily unsupported by President Obama.
How you can reduce your carbon footprint?
Eat less red meat: there are many studies showing that by reducing the consumption of red meat would decrease our air pollution more than cars. Carpool: less cars on the road, less emissions. Use Energy Star products if available, eat local, and as always, reduce, reuse and, recycle!