The climate of planet Earth has been changing rapidly within the past few decades. According to many scientists and analysts, “climate change is mainly caused by unsustainable human activities” (Pittock 42). For very many years, scholars argued that the Earth’s geological activities were responsible for climatic change. Modern studies have focused on the effects of different human activities on the environment.
Scientists have also examined how environmental degradation results in new climatic patterns. The current level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is also associated with climate change. Carbon dioxide is one of the major greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases destroy the ozone layer thus resulting in new energy changes.
James Lovelock believes that “living organisms evolve by Darwinian natural selection in an environment predetermined by human activities” (Pittock 58). James goes further to “explain why evolution is not caused by our planet’s geological activity” (Oreskes 1686). Many people have ignored the issue of climate change. Such individuals believe that climate change has been an ongoing process.
This situation explains why such persons do not care about the challenges arising from climate change. The science community is trying to convince more people about the reality of climate change. The science community also focuses on different activities than can destroy the environment.
Climate change has become a major challenge because humans have destroyed their natural environments. Human beings “have always cleared forests for urban development, resources, agriculture, and timber” (Oreskes 1686). Many people do not see the dangers of climate change. Such “individuals believe that animals, birds, and plants will adapt well to these changes” (Pittock 86).
However, the science community continues to explain how global warming continues to affect different ecosystems and natural habitats. Scientists have also explained why more animal and plant species might become extinct within the next forty years.
Human beings have also been using coal as an important source of energy. The practice has increased the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Scientific studies have explained how carbon dioxide increases global temperatures. Increased global temperatures can cause tsunamis and typhoons.
Human activities also affect weather patterns. Such patterns determine the amount of rainfall received in various regions across the globe (Pittock 72). These changes explain why global warming is a major problem. The current rate of climate change is a major challenge because it will affect the fate of humankind.
Scientists are using different technological devices and satellites in order to gather more evidence and data. The collected information has made it easier for the science community to understand how our climate is changing at a very fast rate. The science community has presented several facts to support their arguments. The first fact “is the rising global sea level” (Pittock 64).
Global temperatures have also increased within the past 30 years. The Antarctic and Antarctica ice sheets have also reduced within the last 20 years (Pittock 94). Our planet has also recorded several extreme events such high temperatures, typhoons, and intense rainfalls. The acidity of different seawaters has increased by over 25 percent.
The issue of climate change has encountered various skeptic arguments. Many skeptics “have argued that global climate has always changed in the past” (Oreskes 1686). Such individuals have also explained why humans are not able to cause climate change.
However, the science community has presented the best arguments in order to explain how climate change occurs. Such arguments encourage human beings to conserve the environment. This practice will support the needs of every future generation.
Works Cited
Oreskes, Naomi. “The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change.” Essay: Beyond the Ivory Tower 306.1 (2005): 1686. Print.
Pittock, Barrie. Climate Change: The Science, Impacts and Solutions. New York, NY: Routledge, 2013. Print.