Understanding global warming. What is it? Think about it like this. Our world is changing and eventually it will become a shell of its former self. Now let’s address the elephant in the room. “Why should we care?” Why is this question the center of attention when you look at this paper? Why is it that I want you to understand global warming? Out of every issue, why is it that global warming is so important? To be honest, I’m still trying to figure that out myself. But this is the type of paper where we should learn together and understand how this impacts us as a whole. At the end of all this, we should be able to answer these questions posed because one way or another, global warming will impact us to the point where it can no longer be ignored. Overall, Global Warming as a whole should be taken more seriously, especially by our generation as man made innovation has accelerated the drastic change in climate in our world.
Picture yourself in a world that suffers frequent wildfires, prolong periods of time without water, homes being flooded everywhere around you. We’ll you don’t have to, just look around you. These things are already happening today and in a more frequent way than before. Now this is no coincidence. Katie Collins, writer at CNET, describes how studies have shown that, “Even now, at 1.1 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels, we’re seeing firsthand the impacts of human-caused climate change. Significant, unpredictable weather events are causing death, destruction and displacement of people around the world. Arguably, some of the worst-hit areas could already be defined as unlivable by Schipper’s definition” (Collins). Collins’ in her article describes what a liveable future would look like in relation to the changing climate could do to the world. Here, she reiterates how despite there only being a 1.1 degrees celsius in temperature increase, we have already seen the ramifications of global warming first hand. When you think of “worst-hit areas”, you think of islands, countries surrounded by bodies of water that have, because of an increase of temperature being impacted by rising sea levels. Now, let me state this once again, that is only a 1.1 degree increase. Now visualize what an increase even higher than that would do to the rest of the world, which is covered by 71% water. Collins’ then states various ways to ensure a liveable future such as, “Eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels, and allowing this best-case scenario livable future to come to fruition, means tackling one of the biggest transformational challenges laid out by climate experts. Governments and corporations will need an entire mindset shift in order to give up “on the mirage of unlimited economic growth”. Now whether there is serious commitment to combating climate change is dependent on those with the resources and those that are willing to be selfless. Yes, selflessness will come a long way in helping those in poverty stricken areas that would be the ones most impacted by global warming. These countries would struggle to adapt to changing policies that should evidently help everyone. Collins’ describes the feeling of hope for a liveable future, that there is a possibility for a change and most importantly, that it is not too late. All it takes is initiative.
What does the state of the political world in our country have to do with perception of climate change? It is no shocker that political parties in our government system have divided people, issues and opinions. The issue of climate change is no exception to that. And while every person is entitled to their own opinions, having a strong platform can certainly influence the opinions that the general public formulates. In a collaborative study by Alec Tyson, Cary Funk And Brian Kennedy, “Nearly eight-in-ten Democrats (78%) now describe climate change as a major threat to the country’s well-being, up from about six-in-ten (58%) a decade ago. By contrast, about one-in-four Republicans (23%) consider climate change a major threat, a share that’s almost identical to 10 years ago”. In context, the two parties are heavily favoring one or the other opinion on climate change, which hence shows where Americans stand when it comes to climate change. There are many negative connotations of the issue of climate change. Negative in the sense that it isn’t taken seriously. It is downplayed, often “debunked” and to put it simply, not true. Climate change is an issue that should bring people together, not divide. In relation to the study of how Americans view climate change, “The perception that the effects of climate change are happening close to home is one factor that could drive public concern and calls for action on the issue. But perceptions are tied more strongly to people’s beliefs about climate change…..For example, Americans living in the Pacific region which includes California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and Alaska – are more likely than those in other areas of the country to say that climate change is having a great deal of impact locally”. Geographically here in the US, the country is very diverse. This also makes the country susceptible to a vast majority of natural disasters. Hurricanes, wildfires, winter freezes and even droughts. People don’t care or won’t know unless something is experienced first hand. That’s understandable. But think about the future. When times get rough and they will, peoples homes that have been decimated by global warming will become unlivable. Migrating people will need new homes. Where will they go? To the places named by the study. Overpopulation, a struggle for resources. This sounds apocalyptic, something out of a movie but the things that happen are because of a lack of unity and this needs to change. Everyone’s opinion matters, it has too.
The Last of Us. I’m sure a lot of you gamers are familiar with this name. But to those who aren’t, it is a game set in an apocalyptic time where as a result of rising temperature, cordyceps (a type of fungus) evolved and developed into a something that could turn people into zombie-like figures. Of course, this will never happen as it is near impossible for it to develop that threatening. But it’s the overall them of the game. Also being adapted as a series on HBO MAX, which I strongly recommend, there is one scene that stood out to me and that was the opening scene. Like any paper, you must start off strong and that’s what it does. There is an interview with a scientist warning the audience on a talk show of the possibility but slim chance that if temperature rose, cordyceps could because what it eventually did. The explanation behind how this happened in the video game by Blackman is that “This is because of our functioning immune systems and high body temperatures. Most fungal species cannot grow above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, says Roberts, this is why some mycologists (fungus experts) hypothesize we’ve evolved to have this body temperature”. Now while this won’t be a major concern of global warming, it just still brings awareness on global warming in a way that gains attention of thrill and fear. This we should feel as well. Well without the thrill part.
Now I don’t have to read your minds for me to know that you don’t want these consequences to come about. But the truth is, it will only get worse at this rate. I’ve been called a pessimist by some of my friends and families but I always like to justify it by saying that I am simply just preparing for the worst. I think that it is too late for the world to be saved from global warming. And by the world I’m referring to the living things on this planet because Earth will still be here with or without us. Whether it happens in 10 years, 50 years, 100 years or so on so forth, global warming will be the cause. So back to the overview, why should you care? Why should you care after I, the writer has stated that I think it is too late. Truth is, there are many people in the world that have this mindset but despite all that we should make the effort to change it.