As much as we may wish otherwise, climate change is a reality. Our planet is warming at a rate ten times faster than after an ice age, and if we don’t take action soon, we can say goodbye to our green Earth and hello to the next Archean Era.
The main problem is not natural climate change, but rather artificial pollution produced by humans. Greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere trap heat, deplete the ozone layer, and threaten a reality far worse than an extra 0.2 degree Fahrenheit increase. What’s even worse is how overlooked environmentalism has become. It’s promoted everywhere, but not necessarily in the right (or most effective) way. Rather than just raise awareness about the issue, we need to incentivize support.
Now, let me be clear that this ‘incentive’ isn’t money or a tangible human object; it’s simply the right to live on Earth and enjoy its beauty. As I mentioned before, the main problem with environmentalism is its connotation. When one’s perspective changes, so does one’s passion. So, from the aforementioned perspective, how about some incentivization?
The Release of Methane
Deep in the ocean, methane hydrates lie dormant. They form when sedimentary rock layers transform organic compounds (usually dead plankton) into methane, which combines with water. As temperatures rise, methane hydrates melt and methane gas bubbles up to the ocean’s surface and is released, accelerating the greenhouse effect. The thing is, methane is 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide, so a large emission of methane can potentially cause a temperature increase unlike any humanity has ever seen. You know what’s even crazier? In some areas, an increase of just one degree Celsius is enough to free methane from its icy prison. Once they’re released somewhere, methane hydrates will be emitted everywhere and global temperatures will skyrocket.
The Dangers of Fracking
Deep in the hearty soil of the Southern and Midwestern U.S. lies an alarming mixture of toxic chemicals. They aren’t the repercussions of a decomposing, Industrial Revolution-age factory that you might expect but rather the tools for and byproduct of hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking. This method of mining natural resources involves digging deep into sedimentary rock layers, inducing a mini-earthquake via a liquid comprised of water and 596 different poisonous chemicals, and then harvesting the natural resources (oil and natural gas) in the affected area. By fracturing the rock, fracking fluid allows oil or gas to dissolve in the toxic liquid and be harvested, free from the confines of the incredibly dense layer of rock within the planet. The lethal disadvantage is that half of the hazardous liquid is left behind underground. These artificial toxic chemicals within the Earth destroy habitats and heavily pollute nearby aquifers. Ever heard of brown water coming out of a faucet or even lighting on fire? Go watch Gasland by Josh Fox and a feeling of utter abhorrence will engulf you. What’s truly frightening is that environmental laws provide zero protection from the devastating effects of fracking such as the ones mentioned previously. This is because after 9/11, there was a larger emphasis placed upon using America’s resources. Therefore, Congress exempted mining companies from facing the consequences of hydraulic fracturing. Politicians and corporations alike saw an opportunity to make a lot of money despite the resulting destruction of much of our land. Whatever happened to protecting this big, beautiful world…
The reality of climate change is much more dire than expected. The United Nations unveiled Sustainable Development Goal #13 (Climate Action) with the intent to combat this global threat, but we can’t place the burden of eight billion humans on a number of countries; it’s up to us to work together to heal the wounds we have inflicted on the Earth - our home. Some impactful initiatives that anyone can lead include the following:
- Promote environmental protection legislation: By limiting environmental damage through politics, we set a firm precedent with regards to our planet: we won’t stand to see it destroyed.
- Reuse, reduce, recycle: By forgoing single use plastics and recycling materials such as paper and cardboard, we make the most out of Earth’s limited resources and take a strong stand against environmentally unfriendly practices.
- Innovate: There are so many bright minds out there waiting for a challenge to elicit excitement, purpose, and passion. What better way to express your creativity than by creating an ingenious solution to a global issue?
You can learn more about other impactful initiatives that you can undertake (according to the United Nations) here.
As it is, passivity is not a choice when it comes to climate change. We have backed ourselves into an alley and must climb up and out before it’s too late. There’s just so much to this big, beautiful planet that we must strive to protect and restore. I won’t stand to see it destroyed, and I know that many others feel the same. Something tells me that, if we all work together, we can truly make a difference.
Thank you to Maya B and Hafsah M for editing this article!
Sources:
- https://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/effect-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-on-stratospheric-ozone-depletion
- https://climatekids.nasa.gov/greenhouse-effect/
- https://www.nrdc.org/stories/fracking-101#work
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasland
- https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13
- https://www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions