Ever thought about what life would be like in the future? If the human race eventually goes extinct and whether animals will evolve then also die out? Or maybe the idea of technology advancing to the point where people are useless and no longer needed for anything? Whatever happens to the world and the state of it all boils down to two words: climate change.
Since the mid 1800s, global warming has been on the rise mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels. Trapping greenhouse gases and creating a blanket of warmth around the atmosphere mostly originates from the industrial revolution and mass manufacturing that have carried on to the present. Human activities like these will continue to heat up the Earth in the future with average temperatures fluctuating between one and two degrees Fahrenheit according to NASA. While small numbers like these may seem unimportant, anything over these digits will have catastrophic and devastating consequences in the future. The United Nations estimates that around 90% of all disasters worldwide are being classified as weather or climate related. Many of these include wildfires, droughts, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes and more, causing poverty, economical damage, health related issues and even death. Avi Garbow, a former senior counselor for the Obama administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked tirelessly to “figure out the best ways under the law to address the climate crisis,” stating his concern for the “political volatility or change” the country was going through. Political tensions are getting increasingly high but important issues like climate change are where people need to meet in the middle to find a solution, and fast.
While firefighters may be able to stop a fire and doctors can help people recover from an floodwater induced infection, environmental ruin can be stemmed from many of these natural disasters causing horrific economic damage. People rely on infrastructure to support their lives so being unprepared for their houses to be wiped out from hurricanes, their work office tumbling to the ground from an earthquake, or their entire lives being upended can be terrifying and unexpected. Science department teacher Jennifer Kresse explains that regardless of how serious the problem is, “It’s our nature not to want to face really hard problems, and it’s easier to excuse it away rather than actually try to come up with a solution, especially if it feels hopeless.” Despite these countless events showcasing the severity of the situation, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concluded that in 2023, the U.S. racked up more than $165 billion dollars to pay for climate destruction, which also placed the year as being ‘the third most costly on record.’ Not only is the infrastructure being taxed, but so are we. Although warnings can be issued before disaster strikes, there’s no telling what could happen as this issue continues to worsen.
Relying on years of experience, Garbow worries that history could repeat itself in the next four years of the upcoming presidency. “All of the things in the world addressing the climate crisis” that he worked on in the Obama administration “were either halted, slowed down, or reversed in the Trump administration.” However, large-scale actions have been taken by countries around the world with multiple governments contributing towards the goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. Increasing the amount of electric vehicle use is also being taken into account and sales are projected to triple in the next couple of years. (U.S. Department of State) It’s not just vehicles that are being improved but airplanes as well. CO2 emissions have been limited and set to a certain level by the International Civil Aviation Organization and more work is being done to create and release electric aircrafts in the near future. It’s been a worldwide team effort to help prevent the increasing damage of the issue in order to secure a livable environment for generations to come.
Still, even governments can’t do everything by themselves, measures can be taken on a smaller level by citizens across the globe in an effort to reduce global warming. It might seem impractical and a bit of a hassle but start using LED light bulbs, consuming less meat, being mindful of how much money is being spent on a daily basis, and speaking up about the issue are a few ways to start the journey towards a better future. Sophomore, Jane Biever, hopes she can help the Earth by “Reducing any sorts of pollution or trash, and keep being on the lower side of gas use. It’s always about trying to reduce the intake of those things, so whenever you can, be mindful and know that whatever you’re doing could be impacting the environment.” Mother Nature can be beautiful and lush however it’s still untamed, wild and destructive. It may seem cliché, but it’s a force to be reckoned with and should not be taken lightly if the human race wants to survive.
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