The past couple of years, California has experienced widespread fires, record breaking temperatures, and a drastic drought, making it the most affected state by climate change. On the other side of the country hurricanes are getting more and more powerful, devastating communities and families.
But how did we get here?
Since the very beginning of the industrial era, our energy derives from fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas.) Our usage and reliance of these fossil fuels have only increased, and now without it our economy would collapse. The burning of these fossil fuels is responsible for the production of greenhouse gases which is what is causing our planet to warm up. Therefore rising sea levels, increasingly severe droughts or extreme weather events are just some of the main consequences of this change in climate change.
How does energy production/consumption affect climate change?
Without the energy of the sun none of us would be here. The passing of the sun's solar radiation heats the Earth, and through that the earth emits the heat. Some gases prevent most of the heat to escape space, trapping it in our atmosphere. This is known as the greenhouse effect, which is what allows our existence. The problem is if their is too much heat being trapped the planets temperatures increase, making climate patterns change worldwide.
Fountain, Henry. “Climate Change Is Accelerating, Bringing World 'Dangerously Close' to Irreversible Change.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Dec. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/climate/climate-change-acceleration.html.
“What Is Climate Change?” TakePart, 11 July 2014, www.takepart.com/flashcards/what-is-climate-change/index.html.
Fountain, Henry. “Climate Change Is Accelerating, Bringing World 'Dangerously Close' to Irreversible Change.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Dec. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/climate/climate-change-acceleration.html.
Flavelle, Christopher. “How California Became Ground Zero for Climate Disasters.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 Sept. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/climate/california-climate-change-fires.html.
Comments