Currently we are witnessing rapid increases of wildfire, earthquakes, storms, droughts, heat waves and tsunamis. In fact, the situation is getting worse every year. Although we can see numerous types of disaster, they are all from the same root. Climate change is constantly manipulating the natural function of planet earth. In addition, it is also responsible for new diseases, low production of agriculture which automatically leads to poverty, hunger and death. However, it’s an unfortunate fact that the changing of climate is one of the least concerning topics among us. In my opinion, the topic of Climate Change isn’t spoken as much about as it should be. Therefore, it is time for us to worry about an upcoming catastrophe.
Before we go any further, let’s discuss the significant effects of Climate Changes. According to the earth.org America’s deadliest wildfires occurred in 2021, 2020, 2018 and 2017. These wildfires cause severe damage to nature, people’s property, economy and most importantly to lives which are irreplaceable. Along with it, drought is responsible for low production of crops and loss of water sources. Increasingly excessive heat waves is another disaster in the United States and all over the earth. The Guardian says that more than 200 people died in the 2021 heat waves in Northwest America. Heat waves are also responsible for economic damages like automotive engine failure, rising utility bills due to air conditioning appliances. Moreover, the situation gets even worse for people of under-developed countries because most of them can’t afford A/C. Besides suffering from heat waves Southern America often deals with extreme storms. These storms ruin houses, ranches and cause deaths. Earthquakes are another remarkable symptom of climate change. In 2021, the Caribbean nation of Haiti was hit by an earthquake of 4.2 magnitude which caused massive destruction across the country. Undoubtedly the entire world suffers from these disasters but the impact is harsher on the underdeveloped countries for not having an adequate amount of aid and funds.
Despite seeing the extreme faces of nature due to climate change, why are we still silent? According to the Climate Chat report, every 3 out of 10 Americans don’t understand the concept of climate change. Not only that but every 6 out of 10 don’t recognize the human liabilities on climate change and roughly half of the population don’t think that the climate changes is something harmful right now. It clearly proves that we are neglecting a potential upcoming disaster. There are a number of reasons behind it. One of the reasons are, people living in developed countries don’t feel the intensity of climate as opposed to the underdeveloped
countries. For example, a country like the United States has a government with numerous types of tools to tackle the outcome of natural disasters. In terms of heat waves, most Americans can afford to run their air conditioner. Many living in the northern hemispheres believe global warming would prevent snow fall. As a result, climate change doesn’t bother most Europeans and Americans because the longer and hotter the summer is, the more time for recreation like BBQ and hiking. But in fact, the U.S government and their citizens lost their property and money due to damage which prevents the economic vitality of the country.
It is inevitable that the long running global warming and climate change will be unbearable for poor countries who would be the worst sufferers. Therefore, it is the time for us to take essential actions and steps to secure the planet for the present and future.
Sources:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/08/pacific-northwest-hea twave-deaths
https://www.theclimatechat.org/americans-on-climate-change/
One Response
Climate change is an important term that should be brought up even more than it is now. I believe this because of not only the different types of natural disasters you have discussed here, but at as well as the frequency of the disaster. In the past few years for example, hurricane season. The hurricanes that form in the Atlantic Ocean has increased during the season. Funny enough, the main cause of it is Climate change and even a hint of global warming.
Now, as for people who do not believe or even understand the concept nor clearly oblige to the concepts of climate change, to play devil’s advocate it makes sense. To hear things such as “in 50 years” or “in the future” even can make it seem like the hypothesis may never be true. Also, they make believe that all these occurrences in the world are just natural and though this is true, it is not the whole truth. These natural disasters stem from climate change and as mentioned, to some extent humans are responsible. In terms of the way we may handle pollution. As you mention, people do not realize the problem of longer summers and shorter winters, and they see it as a positive to get out and do stuff in “nice” weather. However, as the Earth continues to warm up, or change in climate, there will be an increase in natural disasters, and now we have a true circle. A circle such that the less people are aware of climate change, the more disasters are bound to happen, and to them it may just feel as if it was bound to happen anyways.