Changing for Climate Change

Written by: ShaeLyn Heaps

Climate change may not come off as a huge 

danger now, but its effects impact the future

As the years move on, global warming and climate change have become more popular topics. Every time a presidential election rolls around, an organization called Science Debate asks twenty questions about science, engineering, tech, health, and environmental issues to those who are running to lead and represent the United States. The President of the United States, one of the leading nations in the world, will lay down ideas and policies that will affect research, progress, and funding in these fields. Because the nominees have potential to increase or decrease discoveries and improve or exacerbate change to the world, it is important to ask whether each candidate actually knows what they are talking about. Published on September 13^th  after the quadrennial debate held by Science Debate, Jill Stein, Green Party representative in the 2016 United States Presidential election claimed, “Climate change is the greatest existential threat that humanity has ever faced.” “The greatest ever,” she claims. That can make us wonder: “What about war? What about disease? What about children without parents or whole countries without clean water or enough food to fill their stomachs?” It’s appropriate to ask whether climate change is as serious of a problem as Ms. Stein’s confidence makes it sound. Do we have a potentially devastating problem on our hands, or not? (Also referenced here.)

Everyone has heard the most common results of climate change: rising oceans, atmospheric pressure decreased, warmer temperatures, and many more, but it isn’t often that positive outcomes are even brought to the surface. It appears that nobody wants to be the opponent to a topic that is likely to be awful. It’s the goal of this article to state both sides, and weigh out which is more accurate and correct concerning the true nature of climate change.

Climate change threatens some people more than others. Economic status, age, gender, and behavior all change whether or not climate change is more or less threatening to you. The elderly, pregnant, and those with lower incomes seem to be more negatively affected by climate change, compared to those who are young, healthy, and well off financially. Environment and other factors of where one lives can also determine the effects of climate change. The idea is that heat waves become more dangerous with increased heat in the atmosphere and worse air quality, which can cause more heat related deaths and make exercising less of a benefit. For example, living in areas with worse air quality may increase negative results of climate change. Although these things are possible, preparation and adaptations can be made to live in better places for the needs of you and your family, along with spreading awareness in hopes of preventing what may cause the human population to be influenced one way or another.

Ah, but what about the current war with armies in Iraq and Afghanistan, the problems we face with Russia and Iran, Syria, and North Korea? Many argue that climate change may not be good, just as Stein states, but compared to the current problems America is facing, it is a small problem. So much focus shouldn’t be spent on saving our future if we don’t live to see it, they seem to say. I can see the truth in that statement; if America and the world are destroyed through war, then maybe not climate change, but the hate of pride and war is the world’s real greatest threat. But, on the other hand, what’s the point in saving our current situation if we don’t save our future? What is there to live for if we stop the war, but don’t put any money or effort into preserving the land we live on and the air we breathe? No hope for the future is the most pricey Christmas gift we can give to the next generation, but they will wish we had left a receipt in the bag.

Climate change effects our physical health through the air and water, so I’m sure there’s a medication we can create to fix the problems it brings, and all will be well, right? Wrong. Climate change not only effects physical health, but also social and psychological health, plus many aspects of the environment including energy, water supply, ecosystems, and outdoor recreational areas. To me, that doesn’t sound pleasant at all! But what about those who argue for the  benefits that climate change has agriculturally? The amount of carbon emission in the air and the lengthening of the growing season (caused by the changing climate) increases number of crops grown and allows for more time to grow crops. Both of these things can combine to produce a positive view of the subject, especially from farmers, but also from every American that eats or uses anything made from agricultural crops. And who doesn’t eat vegetables, meat, or drive cars powered by gas made with some percentage of ethanol? It is always mentioned that we need more resources for the growing populations. Maybe avoiding focus on climate change will bring these needed resources and do more good than harm.

Nuclear Energy

For many years, there has been a push for green energy rather than that of fossil fuels, which proves that making seemingly small changes a little at a time brings great results for human health and environmental wellness. Many with roles who have their voices heard have the reputation of making decisions using power, money, or fame as motivation. If this is true, problems like climate control are constantly placed on an ignored and forgotten backburner. If not prevented, the result is a boiling overflow, with no way to clean it up. If we allow fallacy and procrastination of what is happening continue, we will soon see an increase in the results of climate change on society and the environment, but by then it will be too late to do anything about it.

Although many see the positive sides of climate change, it doesn’t change the fact that the negative aspects still occur, and continue to affect the quality of living found all around the world. Physical, social, and psychological health is affected, along with huge environmental effects. There may be war and benefits to agriculture that make climate change seem unimportant or not worth spending efforts on, but that doesn’t destroy the fact that Jill Stein is correct when she says that “Climate change is the greatest existential threat that humanity has ever faced.” It may not seem like an urgent problem, but if we expect mankind to survive and for the children and grandchildren of future generations to have beautiful places to see and clean air to breathe, we must make efforts right now to be the change that can save.