Honestly... This Subject Doesn't Call for a Cute Title.... Just Stop The Greenhouse Gas Emissions...

Oh yes, we’re going there. For this blog I’m going to be researching and discussing the scientifically agreed upon, but yet socially debated, topic of climate change. As one may infer from the name, climate change is a lasting change in the Earth’s current “normal” distribution of weather patterns.

According to the United Nations Climate Change Information Kit, climate change is indeed, occurring right now. In fact, they estimate that global temperatures have risen by about 0.6 degrees Celsius over the course of the 20^th century, which is largely attributed to human activities. So, you may ask, how and why is this happening? Well, human activities are releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. What does this mean? It means that carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are being emitted from the use of fossil fuels and other agricultural activities, and after they release, they travel into our atmosphere and control the way natural energy flows through the climate system. In response, the climate adjusts to what the United Nations Climate Change Information Kit (UNCCIK), calls a “thicker blanket” of greenhouse gases in order to maintain a balance between energy arriving from the sun and energy escaping back into space.

Due to technological change and population growth, its been estimated that by the year of 2100, global temperatures will rise by about 1.4-5.8 degrees Celsius. So think about it… When you say you need a car to get you from point A to point B, are you sure you’re really arriving to your destination? Or are we all just driving in circles?

So what does this mean for the environment, and, well, us?

Well, in less than 90 years, the sea level is expected to rise by possibly 88 cm, which can cause low-level floods. Some other effects could be increase precipitation, thereby resulting in more extreme weather events. Besides that, individual species may become instinct as a result from declining or fragmenting forests, deserts, and rangelands from climatic zones shifting.

So what about for our society?

Well, food security is an obvious issue, not to mention a very worrisome one (due to the fact that this is already a world-wide crisis). This is because many regions will experience food shortages and hunger, not to mention a decrease in water availability. On top of that, according to UNCCIK, physical infrastructure will be damaged, due to the rise in sea level and extreme weather events. Obviously, there will be a massive economic toll on humans through loss of settlements, human health, and crop availability, all through direct, and indirect effects of climate change.

Obviously, there is skepticism over climate change, but why?

Some of the main reasons over this skepticism, according to the heartland organization, are that scientific data in regards to the climate changing is unsure. For one, many don’t agree on whether the fact the changing climate is a direct result from humans, or from nature, as many believe a small climate changing over a period of time is, in fact, natural. Other arguments arise from the fact that many believe that global warming will benefit the environment, just as it harms it, as plants will become more drought-resistant, and have more frequent soil moisture. So besides minor uncertainty of what causes global warming (nature or humans), and believing it may be slightly beneficial- regardless of the loss of land through flooding and weather condition changes- one of the main counter arguments is that its just too darn expensive and difficult to reduce emission use. This indeed is true, as its obvious that humans have attached themselves to emission use, and that we’re going to have to pay through the nose to quit this addiction, but lets face it, at this point its either our wallets, or our lives and most importantly, our planet.

So what do I think the world would be like in 50 years if we continue with our current path and do nothing to slow the rise of CO2 levels in the atmosphere?

 For starters, I think the earths temperature would rise greatly, making for hot weather conditions, and not to mention the increased precipitation would increase storm severity. Under these conditions I believe that livable land would be lost, and that food production would slow heavily, calling for more dense and under fed populations. All in all, the continue of such unsustainable emission use will result in less land, less food, and a worse living condition across the globe.