Today’s news is often littered with articles about human-caused climate change and the future we will walk into if the world doesn’t do anything about it. Yet scientists have been aware of this issue for decades, since the 1950s, with a Carbon Brief article reporting it may have been as early as the 1830s. So why has climate change become such a heated issue now? Sea levels have been rising significantly, and glaciers have been melting at an unusual rate, with oceans becoming warmer and warmer. More catastrophic natural disasters like droughts, heat waves, wildfires, and hurricanes have been occurring, displacing millions of people from their homes and destroying their livelihood and communities. In the US alone last year, the diversity of natural disasters increased, with damages totaling billions of dollars. To find a solution that slows the rate at which this is occurring, then, becomes pressing and necessary.

Scientists all over the world have been researching ways to understand the reasons why these shifts have been occurring, with the hope that once they understand the cause, the solution will be clear. But this hasn’t been the case. While the majority of scientists agree that climate change is happening, there is a split in believing who’s responsible. One side argues that humans are, while the other debates that it’s the ebb and flow of our planet. No doubt, the Second Industrial Revolution that occurred during the late 1800s in the US caused a sharp increase in the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Yet others contend the amount generated has not been enough to point the finger at humans. Instead, they argue that the climate models that are being used are faulty and the measurements taken are questionable.

Regardless of which side is right, the facts and statistics speak for themselves. Climate change is occurring, and something needs to be done. Planet Earth is our home, and as its residents, more time and effort should be invested in supporting its growth and well-being. While climate scientists are measuring the changes in our atmosphere, oceans, and land, physicists, biologists, and chemists are using the information to design experiments which help engineers develop novel technologies that generate sustainable energy and are affordable. Designers, then, package these devices attractively so that informed consumers, the ones most critical to creating a green environment, can purchase them to support our planet’s longevity for future generations.

Our thoughts and ideas regarding climate change are simple – focus on developing habits and technologies that use energy sustainably and responsibly. This can be accomplished in numerous ways, some of which will be explored throughout our blog posts. Whether you are a student, a professional, or a retiree, we hope you enjoy your time here, reading and learning about the varied ways you can help mitigate the effects of climate change, with a few off-topics along the way. Thank you for visiting!

Resources

https://www.carbonbrief.org/scientists-clarify-starting-point-for-human-caused-climate-change/

https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2021-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters-historical

https://climatechange.procon.org/history-of-climate-change-debate/