In the early 1800s, human life as we knew it took a huge step forward. The Industrial Revolution brought us machines and contraptions which changed our lives. However, it came with a price. Human activities have contributed substantially to climate change over the years by adding CO2 and other heat-trapping gasses to the atmosphere. While human interaction is not the only contributing factor in the rapidly declining state of our Earth, it is the most prominent one.
In the diagram above, it is clear to see that the biggest contributor to climate change is greenhouse gasses. For more context, greenhouse gasses include Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, and Sulfur Hexafloride. The gasses are produced from either agricultural practices or the burning of coal and other fossil fuels.
Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes are breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted, and trees are flowering sooner. Effects that scientists had predicted in the past are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise, and more intense heat waves. In addition, a new study published finds that our economy will be greatly impacted as climate change continues and sea-levels increase. As oceans rise, powerful coastal storms, crashing waves, and extreme high tides will be able to reach farther inland, putting tens of millions more people and trillions of dollars in assets worldwide at risk of periodic flooding.
Now, while all this is devastating, we still have the chance to fix it. If we try our best to live a more conscious lifestyle, that itself is a huge step forward. By using energy more efficiently, cutting down on meat, not wasting food, having a green commute, and speaking out to others, we can start saving our planet.
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