McKayla Shepherd
The most advanced species on earth has created a world with wonders of technology, and a multitude of uses for the planet's natural resources. We use fossil fuels to produce energy and heat in our homes, create a variety of products, and power industrial plants and transportation. Though this might seem high and mighty, we are sacrificing our only home for some convenience. The human race has affected every ecosystem and biosphere in the 40,075 kilometers that we call Earth.
According to a study produced by Rebecca Lindsey and Luann Dahlman, the average climate has rose almost 2 degrees since the 1900's, and this is all due to the release of harmful gases in our everyday lives. These gases are called greenhouse gases, and they intensify what's known as the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is essential for the planet to sustain life on earth, but because too many of the already existing gases are being added to the atmosphere, the temperature is rising farther than it is meant to. "Driven by fossil fuel burning, deforestation, and agriculture, the recent skyrocketing trends greatly exceed the natural fluctuations of the preceding hundreds of thousands of years(Mann & Kump, 31)."
The Climate Science Investigations(CSI) at NASA says that the burning of resources like wood, coal, oil, and other natural gases all release carbon dioxide, which goes straight to the atmosphere. They also say that deforestation is linked to the warming climate because trees reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Without an abundance of trees, less carbon dioxide is taken, and less oxygen is released. As far as agriculture goes, The United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) says, "specific activities that contribute to nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural lands include the application of synthetic and organic fertilizers, the growth of nitrogen-fixing crops, the drainage of organic soils, and irrigation practices(EPA)." The livestock in agricultural industries themselves also produce methane due to their natural processes, and the unnatural levels of breeding throw off the Earth's natural methane balance.
Not only do industrial facilities release greenhouse gases, but the EPA also states that the use of electricity, transportation, and heating/cooling in houses burn fossil fuels or cause chemical reactions resulting in the emission of gases.
What is the Result?
We already know that the greenhouse affect keeps the planet warm enough to sustain life, but what happens when it gets too warm? The earth has formed its own perfect equilibrium, but since this balance has been shifted, multiple life forms have been affected. Forces like temperature, weather cycles, and even the ability for plants to grow has changed. Dire Predictions; Understanding Climate Change by Mann and Kump tells us lots about the melting ice caps and rising sea level, as well as extreme weather changes caused by global warming. They say that dangerously high heat waves will become more common, which poses as a major threat to crops and other vegetation. They also state that precipitation will intensify, causing more flooding, hurricanes, and cyclones.
Not only does weather and climate change due to an intensified greenhouse affect, but also the health of plants and animals. According to Mann and Kump's writings, The IPCC reported with confidence that 20-30% of plants and animals will be subject to increased risk of extinction if global temperatures rise to 3.6 degrees above the pre-industrial level. "We must remember that extinction is irreversible, and that we are inseparably dependent on the diversity of a species harbored by our planet, and the goods and services provided by the ecosystem they support(Mann and Kump, 131)."
Plant and animal species aren't the only ones in danger. Another reason to think about how you impact the planet is to consider your own health. An excess release of carbon dioxide and climate change leads to air pollution, and increased health issues in humans. The Center of Disease Control(CDC) says that Higher temperatures lead to an increase in allergens and harmful air pollutants. The most common type of air pollution caused by excess carbon dioxide is smog, which is a mix of dust, pollen, and harmful gases, like nitrogen oxide and Sulphur oxide.
Educating yourself on the harmful affects of fossil fuel burning and climate change is the first step in making a difference. Even the smallest change, by the smallest group of people can create a healthier environment, so don't be discouraged. We are all stuck on this planet, so why not nurture our only provider?
"There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. We are all crew." -Marshall McLuhan
Looking for more Information?
Here are some credible sources:
Works Cited-
Mann, M. E., & Kump, L. R. (2016). Dire predictions: Understanding climate change (2nd ed.). DK.
EPA. (n.d.). Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emission. EPA. Retrieved April 7, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#agriculture
Lambert, & Edwards. (2016). Causes of climate change. Climate Science Investigations South Florida - Causes of Climate Change. Retrieved April 7, 2022, from http://www.ces.fau.edu/nasa/module-4/causes/sources-carbon-dioxide.php
CDC. (n.d.). CLIMATE CHANGE DECREASES THE QUALITY OF THE AIR WE BREATHE. American Public Health Association.
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