If you’ve been thinking the weather has been getting warmer and warmer lately, you’re not the only one who thinks that way. Scientists have declared 2019 officially the hottest year on record. The stark difference between 2010 and 2019’s drastic climate change is a result of climate change due to a number of reasons. However, the biggest contributing factor is undoubtedly mankind’s carbon footprint.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that absorbs and retains heat. While it is a naturally occurring gas, it is also a byproduct of human activity. Transportation, electricity, and other forms of fossil fuel consumption emit carbon dioxide. According to the EPA, in 2012, carbon dioxide accounted for about 82% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. The increase in carbon dioxide emissions are positively correlated with the increased energy consumption of the booming economy.
The negative effects of warmer weather might not be very apparent at the moment, but they have started to take effect. California’s severe drought is a result of the warmer weather and as a result, prices of commodities that require water have risen. Milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables have become much more expensive as the agriculture industry has been deeply affected by the drought. As the price of food increases, so does the cost of living. This means there is less disposable income for those who live paycheck to paycheck and spending is decreased. When the economy in California begins to slow, it affects the economy of the United States as a whole and ultimately, the world’s economy.
It is necessary to take the initiative to prevent problems for the current and future generations of mankind. Going green is simply the first step in reversing the changes to the environment. Becoming environmentally aware requires a lot of effort in making changes to everyday life. In creating a greener world, we create a life for our children that is free from the exponential hardships of climate change.