Create a brief physical or digital argument presenting evidence that climate change is causing significant environmental issues. Choose evidence that you feel will be most effective in changing group behaviors. Include information you’ve learned about past mass extinctions and their impact on the planet.
Climate change has been causing significant environmental issues for the planet. According to NASA, the Earth's temperature has risen 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) since the 19th century, and this rapid warming is largely due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial and agricultural activities. The consequences of this increase in temperature are widespread and include:
1) Melting glaciers and ice caps
Researchers have observed that global sea levels have risen about 8 inches since 1880, with almost half of that rise occurring in the last 25 years. The melting of glaciers and ice caps is a major contributor to this change. The Arctic is also experiencing melting, with sea ice declining approximately 13.2% per decade.
2) Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events
Climate change has triggered more frequent and severe weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, hurricanes, and floods. These events can have devastating impacts on human populations and ecosystems, damaging homes, harming food production, and even leading to death.
3) Loss of biodiversity and mass extinction
Past mass extinctions provide substantial evidence that climate change has a severe impact on biodiversity, and our planet is currently experiencing another mass extinction event. According to the United Nations, we could lose up to a million species in the coming years due to climate change.
4) Acidification and warming of oceans
The ocean absorbs around 30% of all carbon dioxide emissions from human activity, leading to acidification. As the pH level drops, the ocean becomes more acidic, decreasing the ability of marine organisms to build protective shells. Warming of the ocean also results in coral bleaching and destroys habitats leading to ecosystem collapse.
Therefore, it is essential that we take immediate and aggressive action to combat climate change to mitigate its impacts and prevent future disaster. Increased awareness, reduced energy consumption, selective use of fos-sil fuels and the implementation of policies that embrace sustainable practices can be effective interventions and will help us to turn things around. Recommending renewable energy practices such as wind energy, hydroelectricity, and solar power generation can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By acting now, we can help protect our planet's health and preserve it for future generations.