Over the past few years, there has been a distinguishable difference in the temperature throughout each season. As the summer approaches, intense heat lingers and rarely deviates from an uncomfortably high temperature; then the familiar chill of an autumn day makes a delayed appearance in the first weeks of October, raising even more questions.
Aside from personal observations of local temperatures, news channels continually report statistics from previous years to demonstrate the drastic change in our weather patterns. Scientists have closely monitored this change, and have connected it back to one central idea: global climate change.
This issue has been watched closely by many people, from meteorologists to presidential candidates, and has become a wake-up call for many people around the world. As defined by the Oxford Dictionary, climate change is “a change in global or regional climate patterns …attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.” Although there has been dispute over whether or not this phenomenon exists, the world continues to suffer its consequences.
For example, we’ve been seeing rising sea levels, numerous natural disasters across the globe and deterioration of the ozone layer. While all of these serious issues arise, is there anything we can do to prevent any further damage?
Thankfully, there are many things you can do in order to raise awareness for the needs of our environment. For instance, reducing the fossil fuel emissions from your car can help reduce the overall amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Some ways to achieve this include carpooling and purchasing cars with sustainable gas mileage. By being conscious of carbon emissions, we can collectively reduce the contamination of our air quality, as well as the deterioration of the ozone layer.
In addition, purchasing items that do not include CFCs (such as hairspray) can help reduce chemicals that further contaminate the air. CFCs are chlorofluorocarbons that can break down the ozone layer that keeps the Earth at a comfortable temperature, which is vital for the Earth’s survival.
Although efforts in the 1980’s have prevented this from becoming an extreme concern, each facet to the greater issue of climate change should be considered. Each contribution, whether large or small, matters in the prevention of further damage to our atmosphere.
An important task on an individual basis is to educate others that don’t understand their impact on the environment. As aforementioned, the topic can be divisive for some, but the external affects on our environment continue as we attempt to settle these arguments. Climate change has a habit of being regarded as a lower priority, but with awareness and evidence rising to the surface, our generation has the ability to possibly reverse or try to mend what has already been done.
Our mission for a better future must include making the earth habitable for all, including future generations that come after us. Following through with environmental protection efforts, their concern over these issues will be but a memory, as our successors will be conscious citizens that have these ideas instilled in them.
In continuing the dialogue between those who believe and those who do not, more people will observe the negative effects on our environment, perhaps before it’s too late. As put in the words by Vermont senator and former presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, “The United States must lead the world in reversing climate change. We can do that.”
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