Climate change has been a pertinent issue since the 1960s when scientists realized that greenhouse gases could potentially warm the Earth into extinction. Greenhouse gases that make up the Earth’s atmosphere are methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrous oxide. Some of these- like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide- have increased concentrations in the atmosphere due to human activities. Carbon dioxide is released through the burning of fossil fuels, while methane is released by cows being raised by humans as a food source, and nitrous oxide results from the extensive use of crop fertilizers. These are just some examples of the myriad of things humans are doing to harm our planet.

During the Industrial Revolution, we have been innovating and inventing to make life easier. Which has resulted in using methods such as burning fossil fuels for energy or the use of imperishable materials for packaging. Unfortunately, we have become reliant on these planet-damaging things that were once novelties.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), along with its subdivision National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), are deeply involved in researching climate change and providing data that supports it, along with information to enlighten the public and spread awareness on the tragedy that is climate change. Despite skepticism, climate change is real and its impacts are evident. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are the highest they have been in the last six hundred and fifty thousand years, the Earth’s global temperature has increased almost two degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, and sea levels have risen almost seven inches over the last century,

But what are we going to do? What are you going to do to ensure your kids and their kids live a happy and healthy life, free of pollution, high temperatures, scarce resources, and the uncertainty of not knowing when the Earth will no longer be able to take the damage people have caused it for such a long time? We don’t have twelve years to reverse all the damage of climate change because the impacts have already arrived. But that doesn’t mean there is nothing to be done. Organizations like Sunrise and CLEO are dedicated to the fight against climate change and pushing for more government action.

The bad news is that we can’t blame anyone but ourselves. The good news is that we can be the force that counteracts the effects of climate change and prevent future harm. That’s why I think that there needs to be action. Strike. Stop eating red meat. Cut down on plastic use. Conserve water. Raise awareness. Care for your home.

Nothing ever goes unnoticed; everything helps. The little changes you make in your everyday life will add up and make a difference, whether you believe it or not. We have to act now. Let’s give back to our home, it’s the least we can do after everything it provides for us. Nature will thank you, and so will the generations to follow for doing something to alleviate the controlling, powerful monster that is climate change.

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