Climate Change

By Arman Singh '20

Climate change is defined as changes in global climate pattern. The Earth’s climate has evolved throughout history, and most of these changes have been due to slight variations in the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. However, climate change as we know it today is very different from the changes the Earth’s climate has undergone historically and is certainly not caused by variations in the Earth’s orbit. Modern climate change is characterized by an abrupt increase in the Earth’s global average temperature and is likely caused by human activities. Climate change is a very real and serious problem endangering our entire world. However there are steps that can be taken to slow and prevent unnatural climate change.

The most apparent evidences of climate change on Earth are the proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, global temperature, and sea levels. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have been rising at an alarming rate since 1950, and in the last decade carbon dioxide levels rose from 387 parts per million in April of 2009 to 411 parts per million as of April 2019. Bearing in mind that the highest recorded historical carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere before 1950 is 300 parts per million, it is clear that the current industrial age of humanity has increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere significantly. This is the result of an increase of human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels. Concurrently, the average global temperature is rising as a result of this increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which means it traps heat radiated by the sun, thus increasing the global temperature of the planet. For this reason, it is estimated to have gotten 1.2 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit warmer within the last century, and 18 of the 19 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2001. This global increase in average temperature has also affected the Earth’s oceans. The coastal sea levels have risen nearly 250 millimeters since 1870 and are projected to continue rising. This sea level rise is primarily a result of the melting ice sheets and glaciers adding water to the oceans, and the rising sea temperature causing the oceans to expand.

These effects of climate change all negatively impact the world. The rising global temperature, carbon dioxide levels, and sea levels are all contributing to the world becoming less inhabitable for many of the plants and animals which live here, including humans. The oceans are less capable of supporting life due to the rising temperatures and ocean acidification from the increase of carbon dioxide. Additionally, life on land is suffering because many species of plants and animals are losing their habitats due to flooding from the rising sea levels and the insupportability of colder climates due to the rising global temperature. Finally, climate change is also increasing the frequency of natural disaster events such as hurricanes, tornados, heat waves, and earthquakes.

Though these consequences of climate change are threatening to our planet and may seem too great a challenge to conquer, there are still things we as individuals can do to help. Reduce carbon emissions and power consumption. This can be as simple as walking or using public transportation rather than driving a car and turning off lights and electronics when you’re not using them. Reuse and recycle whenever possible. But most importantly, spread your knowledge and concerns about climate change with others. Although humanity is a major part of the cause for climate change, we have the power to be a part of the solution if we all work together to do our part.

Works Cited

Geographic, National, director. YouTube. YouTube, YouTube, 2 Dec. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtW2rrLHs08.

“Global Surface Temperature | NASA Global Climate Change.” NASA, NASA, 24 Apr. 2019, climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/.