First and foremost, climate change is real and terrifying.
I know you have heard that time and time again, but now it is more important than ever before that those words resonate in your brain and you take action. Why? Our president-elect, Donald Trump, and many other Republicans (who maintain control of the House and Senate) are opposed to climate change ideology. Trump is quoted on twitter:
Let me explain. Many right-sided politicians are firm believers that global warming is a myth, quoting there is little to no proof that it exists. They narrow down to specific years on climate change graphs (which blatantly show Earth's temperature rising) and point out trends within that year of the climate decreasing. The original graphs in which they have taken their data out of have been an expansion of generations of research. This is known within the pro-climate change community as "going down the up escalator." It is assumed that climate change skeptics are driven by the economics within the fossil fuel industry-- a harmful industry that America thrives on.
You may be thinking "but what are you getting at? What does this have to do with Trump being elected president?"
Well, Trump first and foremost plans on breaking the Paris Agreement, which aims to reverse the effects of global warming. As one of the largest, most populous, and industry-driven countries, it is not only the duty of the people to strive for a more sustainable lifestyle, but the duty of the government to bolster adjustments on our ways of living by switching to clean energy, promoting proper trash disposal and recycling, and more. With a government who is run by elected officials who are in disbelief of climate change, it halts our progress in saving the Earth.
Here are some facts from the Environmental Protection Agency (a governmental agency that deals with environmental legislation):
1. There is a consensus on climate change within all major agencies within the United States government such as NASA and NOAA.
2. Human activity is the primary source of global warming.
3. A few extra snowy or cold winters does NOT mean that global warming is not occurring.
4. Coastal flooding and land loss will affect and displace hundreds of millions of people around the world by the year 2100.
Regarding the fact above, you may be thinking, "I won't be alive then-- why is it my problem?" It is your problem because our planet has been alive and thriving for billions of years and we expect that we continue preserving it so that future generations and species can live and prosper on it just as we had the ability to do.
It is our problem as Americans because we are a powerful force in the world. Our actions impact the rest of the world. If our president does not follow in Obama's footsteps, not only do we look like fools to the rest of the planet, but it means that he does not care about us or the planet. If Trump does not proceed to take action to fight global warming and transition to clean energy, we will reach peak oil and not only severely damage our economy, but add to a an industrial mess that will affect generations and generations to come.
Is that not embarrassing? Generations later will be wearing breathing masks and struggling to find resources and will be blaming us.
So, Mr. Trump, it is beyond necessary that you prove us wrong and work hard towards the progression of a more sustainable world and keep the safety of Americans for generations to come in mind. It is not about money, it is about taking care of the only planet we have been given a chance to grow, live, and survive of. Saving our beautiful home starts with you and your legislators.
This is not a time to put money and politics over humanity.
