Basic Guide to Climate Change

 

    What is climate change?

• Climate change happens when the average weather patterns have had a long-term change on regional and global climates. 

    What causes climate change?

• Since the mid-20th century climate change has been driven by human activities, specifically fossil fuel burning. 

* Fossil fuel increases heat trapping greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere which raises Earth's temperature. 

• Natural processes like ocean patterns (El Nina) and external forces like volcanic eruptions also have an impact. 

    What are the effects of climate change?

• Glaciers and ice sheets shrinking, river and lake ice breaking up earlier than usual, plant and animal geographic ranges are shifting, and plants and trees are blooming sooner. 
• Accelerated sea level rise
• Exaggerated heat waves
• Droughts, wildfires, and extreme rainfall are happening more frequently and faster than estimated by scientists 

    What are the future effects of climate change?

• By 2100 sea level is expected to rise 1 to 6.6 feet due to continued melting ice and expansion of seawater as it continues to get warmer
• Hurricanes will continue to become stronger, more intense, and rainfall rates will increase
• Droughts and heatwaves will begin to last longer and be more intense while cold spells will be more infrequent and shorter in duration
• Wildfire season will be longer and more intensified with long periods of extreme risk to fire. By 2050 it is expected that land consumed by wildfire will increase by two to six times
• The arctic is projected to become ice free before mid-century

    Effects we will see in the U.S regions:

• The Northeast will see heat waves, heavy rainfalls, and increased sea level which will impact infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, and ecosystems
• The Northwest will experience changes in peak timing of the flow in rivers and streams which will reduce water supplies. Sea level rise, erosion, flooding cause risk to infrastructure and ocean acidity will increase. Wildfires and heat waves will increase as well as insect outbreaks, and tree diseases resulting in forest die off. 
• The Southeast is already experiencing difficulty due to sea level rise in the economy and environment. Extreme heat is affecting health, energy, and agriculture. 
• The Midwest will also see heat waves, heavy rainfalls, and flooding that will affect infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, transportation, air and water quality. The Great Lakes are also at a major risk. 
• The Southwest has recently experienced extreme wildfires, heat, drought, decreased water supply and insect outbreaks. 

    Effects we will are already seeing on wildlife: 

• Habitat loss from wildfires displacing and killing thousands of animals and ecosystems
• Rising temperatures affect vegetation, food sources, and water supply which can make ecosystems uninhabitable for certain wildlife forcing them to migrate out of usual patterns in search of food and livable conditions 
• A combination of the above challenges along with many others not mentioned can cause extinction for those species already endangered 

    How do we fight climate change?

• Challenge leaders to speak boldly on the climate crisis 
• Sign the UN's #ActNow campaign on climate change and sustainability to add your voice to the global debate
• Lobby local politicians and businesses to cut emissions and reduce carbon pollution 
• Walk or bike instead of taking your car (this is hard because most cities aren't walkable but that's a different debate) 
• Go solar 
• Turn heating down a degree or two 
• Switch off appliances and lights when not in use 
• Insulate roof for better heat in winter and cooling in summer 
• Eat more plant-based meals (if possible, again another debate)
• Shop local and buy sustainable 
• Limit food waste 
• Plant trees

    The climate crisis did not happen overnight, and it will not be changed overnight. We cannot reverse the damage already done but we can prevent future damage and protect the longevity of Earth's existence as well as all its creatures including us. Thinking about making small changes in your own home may feel mundane and useless when the whole world is on fire but together, we can make a change. Education is the most important step in understanding the detriment we have and therefore being able to check in with ourselves and then being able to check others. Voting is so important as the people we are voting for on a local level and nationwide level are the ones making the big decisions for our planet. We need more educated, well rounded, green-friendly politicians in our government. Urge your local officials to do research, educate themselves, and delve more into the environmental studies and politics. We have platforms like X and TikTok which make it easy to reach out to not only other but those elected officials. 

I urge you to check out #ActNow https://www.un.org/en/actnow