It is a staggering number, 175 million. To put it in perspective, over 40% of the total world population will be affected by climate change every year and that is only counting the children. The number of people affected will continue to grow unless we make changing our behavior a priority.
Climate change predictions have “proved remarkably accurate” as shown in a new study published in the Journal Nature Geoscience. The models created in 1999 computer simulations “predicted that the decade ending in December 2012 would be a quarter of degree warmer than the decade ending in August 1996 ? and this proved almost precisely correct.” (Source: The Guardian) These temperature changes may not seem like much but we are already experiencing weather pattern changes as a result.
Humans have a peculiar responsibility for the changes in our environment as we have put industrial progress, corporate profits, and personal comfort ahead of long term environmental stability. The carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere is higher than it has ever been and this semi-permanent gas blocks heat from leaving the atmosphere which contributes to the overall rise in temperatures. Scientists predict a continued rise in global temperatures, the severity will depend on what we do now to reduce our carbon footprint. It is in our own best interest to do so says?Andrew Guzman,?professor and associate dean at UC Berkeley School of Law. In his book Overheated: the Human Cost of Climate Change, Professor Guzman used the predictions of scientists who expect a temperature change of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) which is the more modest prediction on the chart.
Even using this prediction from the lower emissions scenario,?”Climate change is going to damage the very foundations upon which we’ve built our civilization. I don’t think people understand how pervasive this problem is,” Guzman said. (Source: Science Daily) One contributing factor may be that media outlets are not discussing the role of climate change, even when it is pertinent according to Media Matters.
In spite of this, Americans are beginning to understand?our role in climate change,?but we need to do more if we are going to minimize the temperature increases. One of the most important things each of us can do is to educate ourselves on the issue and how to reduce our personal carbon footprint. We also need to hold our politicians and corporations accountable for their actions and inaction on environmental issues.
Here are some sites to get started:
350.org?was founded by U.S. author?Bill McKibben, who wrote one of the first books on global warming for the general public, and a team of university friends.
Greenpeace: what you can do about climate change.
The Nature Conservancy: Climate saving tips.
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