Climate change has drastic effects on the world and could potentially led to its end due to global warming. Global warming is caused by the increase of average air temperatures near the surface of the earth. Climate scientists observe data such as temperatures, precipitation, storms, ocean currents, and the atmosphere’s chemical composition to show changes brought about by climate change. The increase in frequency or intensity of weather events have led to rising temperature, increased sea levels, and melting snow and ice.
These weather events are having significant effects on human lives. They range from the clear threats of high temperature extremes, which may cause heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses, to severe storms which can destroy towns and homes. This can cause displacement and affect mental health. Climate and weather also directly affects water and food quality in certain areas.
Large industrial countries should continue to focus and work towards reducing the amount of greenhouse gases (GHS) emitted into the atmosphere, trapping heated air which warms the planet. Additionally, scientists should pay attention to ecological footprints. An ecological footprint is the amount of land necessary to sustain current levels of resource consumption and the waste discharged by a population (“Melbourne Principles for Sustainable Cities”). I personally can contribute to reducing my carbon footprint by taking public transportation to and from work, using reusable shopping bags, eating locally grown products, and tapping into solar panels as my energy source.
