For those who aren't very well versed on the topic, this is simply just a word or a debate on the news. And if you're not well versed, it's not your fault. The media splits the ideas 50/50 when scientific communities say otherwise and you'll never hear it in a statistics class.
I decided to make a short list for those who are not as up to date on what Climate Change is and why I believe it is the most important issue facing the world today.
1.As the climate (not temperature) rises, it will cause ice caps to melt.
This causes sea levels to rise. The salt water then encroaches on shores damaging people's water supplies and crops. Over a longer period of time, it will completely sink some places. Check out the island nation of Kiribati for a current example.
2.As the climate increases, that effects how weather works, causing more severe events (even snow).
The heat simply increases the rate at which these weather processes occur. Also, with higher temperatures, the atmosphere will be able to hold more evaporated water. When it does fall, it will fall heavy.
3. Since the amount of evaporation the atmosphere can hold increases, drought is more likely.
Water can be evaporated in the west coast and be dropped in the east. Where are these places supposed to get water from? A modern example would be current fighting for water in Africa.
4. The pollution that causes Climate Change also causes detrimental health effects such as cancer, asthma, heart disease, and more.
Beijing currently had to decrease their emissions due to the Olympics. Before then people would have to pull chunks of air pollution out of their hair and wear masks everywhere they went. They still do. Imagine a world where even the air isn't safe to breathe? The picture below is not just a foggy day, this is how the air looked all the time.
5. Extinction of Species
Besides the fact that vital resources are disappearing, some species work best at optimal temperatures. This might not seem like such a bad thing but every species has a specific role (niche) in maintaining homeostasis within their ecosystem. That tree species that went extinct in your farming neighborhood may have been the home of a decomposer who puts the nutrients back in the soil so you have good crops.
6. The Earth is Capable of Cleaning itself up.
The earth goes through natural cycles as well to keep homeostasis. Many climate deniers will use this argument against the panic over Climate Change. However, this clean up will lead to the death of humanity. The earth lives on without us. We need to remain humble and remind ourselves that we are a part of nature. At the end of the day we are subject to it. We come from the earth and abide to its laws. How long do we want to keep pushing our limits when we have answers right in front of us? What's wrong with living a prosperous lifestyle with a cleaner environment through the alternatives already available?
