Climate change, an intricate and interconnected global phenomenon, is an urgent issue that demands our attention. This post is meant to educate anyone unfamiliar with the causes, effects, or potential solutions to the challenge of climate change.
It’s no longer something we can choose to ignore. Glaciers are melting, we are experiencing extreme weather events in the U.S. both at higher rates and of increased severity. Temperatures are warmer and remain warm long after they should have cooled. Southern states are experiencing snowstorms and hurricanes of unprecedentedstrength.
The Basics of Climate Change
At its core, climate change refers to long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns on Earth. While natural processes influence climate, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have accelerated these changes over the past century.
Greenhouse Gases and the Warming Effect
The primary driver of climate change is the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to a gradual warming known as the greenhouse effect.
Visible Consequences
Climate change manifests in various ways, impacting ecosystems, weather patterns, and sea levels. Some of the visible consequences include:
Rising Temperatures: Global temperatures are on the rise, resulting in heatwaves and altering natural temperature balances.
Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and intensity of events like hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires are linked to climate change.
Melting Ice Caps and Rising Sea Levels: Warming temperatures contribute to the melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, causing sea levels to rise.
Ocean Acidification: Excess CO2 absorbed by oceans leads to increased acidity, posing threats to marine life.
Impact on Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Climate change poses significant threats to biodiversity, disrupting ecosystems and jeopardizing the survival of many plant and animal species. Shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns can affect migration patterns, reproduction, and the availability of food and habitats.
Mitigation and Adaptation
Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy adoption, sustainable land use practices, and energy efficiency measures.
Adaptation: Preparing for and adapting to the changing climate by implementing resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and conservation efforts.
Global Cooperation
Given that climate change does not respect borders, international collaboration is necessary. Agreements like the Paris Agreement, or Paris Climate Accords, were created to unite nations in collective efforts to limit global temperature increases and lessen the impacts of climate change.
Climate change is an urgent global challenge that requires a collective response. Understanding its causes and consequences is the first step toward implementing effective strategies to lessen its impact and come up with ways to adapt to the changes.
By adopting sustainable practices, advocating for policy changes, and working with other leaders in the name of international cooperation, we can all work towards a stronger, more sustainable future for our planet.
This requires Democratic politicians in the majority of both chambers of Congress and a Democratic President in office.
Time and time again we see Democratic presidents come in and pass climate legislation meant to begin working towards combatting global warming.
Then, in the next election cycle, a Republican president will come in and repeal all of the regulations and progress made by the previous administration.
If we ever want to make real, impactful progress in addressing climate change, Americans will need to continue to elect Democratic presidents—at least until the Republican party changes it’s views on climate change and on the regulations placed on corporate polluters that continue to further damage the environment.
Some people call it “the swinging pendulum” phenomenon of politics. One party is elected and goes a little too far from center. Next election, the other party wins as voters express their dislike of the extremism.
The other party comes in and course corrects by going to the extreme on the other end of the political spectrum.
Until we can get to a middle ground, the pendulum will continue to swing from one extreme to the other and we will get no where when it comes to dealing with the climate crisis.
President Joe Biden was called the “first climate President” in the history of our country. He was responsible for passing the most climate legislation of any other President.
We made giant strides in terms of doing something to save the planet. Solar and wind energy projects were started all over the country. Even citizens in red states were happy because the projects brought jobs to their districts.
All of that progress disappeared when President Trump entered the White House for his second term. He canceled every one of the clean energy projects. He leased federal land to oil and gas companies so they could drill even more than they already were (which was more than at any other time in history).
The Trump administration cut-off funding to any climate-related project, banned “climate change language” from the government entirely, and began the process of shutting down NOAA (as instructed in Project 2025).
And at a time when extreme weather events have become more deadly and are occurring more frequently, they’re getting rid of FEMA. Make it make sense!
See our article on climate denialism to learn more about the behavior.
