There’s no place like home and we’re responsible for the place we live in. The truth is we can switch our houses, but not the planet! Even the dream of colonizing Mars is decades away.
The world is always evolving and life on earth advances alongside. What if there is not enough time to control the change or evolve?
Climate change is real, and the world must change to sustain itself. It’s an issue often raised by world leaders.
In this article, we will cover climate change quotes to inspire change for the better.
How is Climate Change Harmful?
The average temperature of the planet Earth is 15C. Yet, it has been much lower or higher in the last few years. Experts say that natural fluctuations are normal. But, the rate at which the temperature is changing is beyond ordinary.
Global warming will continue to increase for decades due to greenhouse gas emissions. The greenhouse gases include the following:
- Water vapors
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
- Ozone (O3).
Certain human activities like deforestation and fossil fuel burning have fast-forwarded climate change. Since the industrial revolution in the 1700s, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by 47%.
The question here is,
Why are we worried about rising temperatures?
The short answer, the earth can only take so much and humans cannot survive high temperatures!
When the sun’s light rays fall on the earth’s surface, the greenhouse gases keep some of the heat from escaping. The process works much like the glass walls of a greenhouse.
The problem is when there are too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The more gases there are, the more heat is trapped. Thus, the greenhouse effect strengthens and the earth’s temperature keeps rising.
What are The 5 Effects of Climate Change?
A lot of climate change effects do not affect us directly. So, they’re easy to overlook. So, let’s take a look at the consequences of climate change on society. Here are 5 effects of climate change effects that you need to know.
1. Climate Change and Weather
Climate change doesn’t just mean longer summers and more tan! If the temperature keeps climbing, there will be more negative consequences. Especially in tropical regions, the heat can become unbearable to work outdoors.
With warmer temperatures in most regions, the growing season is extending. Higher temperatures lead to more evaporation and hence more precipitation.
Despite the longer growing season, the food is becoming less nutritious. With CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere, photosynthesis is speeding up. The food is rich in sugar and lacks essential nutrients like zinc, calcium, proteins, and essential vitamins.
2. Climate Change and The Oceans
The impact of climate change is more prominent in the polar regions. The north and south poles are crucial in maintaining the earth’s environment. It makes them more vulnerable to global warming.
Over the past 100 years, the average temperature in the Arctic region has risen by 5C. We know that the glaciers are melting. Once all glaciers have melted, the sea levels are expected to rise to 70 meters (230 feet).
3. Health Implications of Climate Change
The health implications of climate change are clearer now. People suffer from heat waves and the hazards of high temperatures. There’s an elevated risk of allergies and asthma too.
Global warming is prompting frost-free and longer growing seasons. It means more airborne pollen and more intense allergies.
4. Climate Change and Land
Climate change is changing the land regions along with sea levels. More heat means reduced soil moisture, which intensifies heat waves. Droughts are more common now notably in California and the Mediterranean regions.
There are more intense flooding and hurricanes. Wildfires are another unfortunate consequence of climate change. Prolonged summers and dry weather conditions increase the probability of wildfires.
We all know how important forests are to the environment. Wildfires not only mean less greenery and more CO2. It also contributes to the greenhouse effect.
5. Climate Change and Ecosystem
Global warming has affected animal life, both the territorial and marine ecosystems. They can’t do much to fend themselves against heat and are moving towards polar regions.
In the polar regions, climate change threatens the existence of polar bears. They depend on ice to survive and feed. The polar bear’s main game, seals also depend on ice to raise their children.
As if deforestation hasn’t done enough damage, wildfires are taking away forests. Wildlife cannot adjust to climate change resulting in loss of biodiversity.
How do We Stop Climate Change?
Business leaders and environmentalists are recording their protests. Climate change is our fight as Earthians. We win as one or lose. Either way, one person can’t do it alone!
Here are a few ways that you can help stop climate change:
- Speak up and join forums that are working towards the cause.
- Move towards renewable energy.
- Reduce your water waste.
- Start recycling and buy less.
- Avoid fast fashion and reduce your fashion footprint.
- Drive electric cars or bikes and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Avoid processed/packaged food, disposables, and plastics.
What is the Climate Crisis?
Climate crisis is a term used to illustrate climate change and global warming. It describes the effects of climate change and its mitigation.
The glaciers are melting and sea levels are rising. Our world has many natural disasters and heat waves are the new norm. It’s time for us to come together as one to save our one home!
The United Nation together with its partner countries are taking climate action. People are opting for renewable energy sources and electric cars. However difficult it may be, it’s still not too late to turn a new leaf!
Climate change is no longer an issue for tomorrow, but rather the hottest subject of today! It’s our moral obligation to bring mother earth back to glory!
Below are a few quotes to get you fired up to take action in helping our planet with climate change. If you’re looking to get inspired and educated even more about today’s issues, listen to our podcast.
Quotes
“Climate change is real. It is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.” —Leonardo Di Caprio
“One thing leads to the other. Deforestation leads to climate change, which leads to ecosystem losses, which negatively impacts our livelihoods – it’s a vicious cycle.” —Gisele Bundchen
“The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for.” —Ernest Hemingway
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” —Native American Proverb
“By polluting the oceans, not mitigating CO2 emissions, and destroying our biodiversity, we are killing our planet. Let us face it, there is no planet B.” —Emmanuel Macron
“Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people, to give them hope, but I don’t want your hope. I want you to act as if the house is on fire because it is.” —Greta Thunberg
“We are running the most dangerous experiment in history right now, which is to see how much carbon dioxide the atmosphere can handle before there is an environmental catastrophe.” —Elon Musk
“There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” – Marshall McLuhan
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” —Albert Einstein
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt
“We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it.” —Barrack Obama
“The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt.” —The Bible
“Believe in the power of your own voice. The more noise you make, the more accountability you demand from your leaders, the more our world will change for the better.” —Al Gore
“Climate change isn’t an ‘issue’ to add to the list of things to worry about, next to health care and taxes. It is a civilizational wake-up call. A powerful message — spoken in the language of fires, floods, droughts, and extinctions — telling us that we need an entirely new economic model and a new way of sharing this planet. Telling us we need to evolve.” —Naomi Klein
“A lot of the countries and groups of people that are putting in a lot of climate work will disproportionately feel the effects of climate change. And they’re not even the people that created this mess in the first place.” —Elsa Mengistu
“Climate change knows no borders. It will not stop before the Pacific Islands and the whole of the international community here has to shoulder a responsibility to bring about sustainable development.” —Angela Merkel,
“I hope to use my celebrity to motivate people and contribute to moving our global society back from the brink. I am surprised the environment is not at the top of the agenda. What is more important than good and clean air?” —Don Cheadle
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