Climate Change
Climate Change
There is no doubt that weather patterns are changing. From intense heat
waves to floods, droughts, and the increase of sea levels, ocean water
temperatures, and eroding coastlines — the impact of global warming has a
major effect on people living in the United States and throughout the
world.
We can’t ignore the signs.
Ninety-seven
percent of scientists agree that burning fossil fuels is a major factor
in global warming. But 50% of Americans still believe it doesn’t affect
them.
Global warming is a problem with enormous consequences over the long term, but because that’s not relevant to many people, personally, and in the short term, they turn their heads.
Global warming is a problem with enormous consequences over the long term, but because that’s not relevant to many people, personally, and in the short term, they turn their heads.
A
strong advocate in scaling back the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions,
the Obama administration strongly opposed the Dakota Access and
Keystone XL pipelines. Obama even used his veto power to reject the
construction of the pipeline in 2015, but in a move last month that set
us backward on climate and energy policy, President Trump gave the go
ahead on the construction of both the Keystone XL Pipeline and Dakota
Access Pipeline.
The
move to prioritize a short term economic development over the effects
of long term environmental concerns should be unnerving to all of us.
If you’re saying ‘I’m only one person. What can I do?’ There is plenty for you to do!
You can ride a bike.
The Institute for Transportation and
Development Policy recently measured the potential of bikes or e-bikes
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They learned that bicycling could
help cut carbon emissions from urban transportation by 11 percent. Right
now as it stands, bicycling’s share of travel is declining in
developing countries. In the United States and Canada, bicycling only
accounts for about 1 percent of non-recreational trips.
Drive less.
Instead of driving, you can carpool, walk, use public transportation, or buy a vehicle that is more efficient.
Instead of driving, you can carpool, walk, use public transportation, or buy a vehicle that is more efficient.
Invest in other types of energy.
Solar and wind power eliminate emissions
too. Wind energy varies on the energy that it brings, but when it’s
paired with other energy sources, like solar or hydroelectric, it can be
an important contributor to clean and reliable energy.
Stay informed and stay engaged.
Learn where public officials stand on
issues. Stay in the know with the news on these issues. Vote for
candidates that support what you believe in.
Plant a tree.
Trees help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
Trees help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
You can march on April 22.
Participate
in the March for Science on April 22. Happening all around the
country—and on Earth Day. In addition to opposing funding cuts to
scientific research, environmental and climate groups will also march in
protest of Trump scraping climate policies and advancing the
construction of oil pipelines.
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