Montclair High School Bio Blog: Climate Change Crisis

What is Climate Change?

Climate is the usual weather of a place and is incredibly important in shaping natural ecosystems and human economies that depend on climate. Climate change is a change in global climate. The Earth's climate is constantly changing, however, the majority of scientist agree that the climate is getting warmer but not from natural causes. The earth's greenhouse effect is created by gasses in the atmosphere that traps the sun's radiation and makes the earth suitable for life. One of the major greenhouse gasses is carbon dioxide. CO2 naturally gets into the atmosphere through respiration of organisms but, humans have significantly increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere which is the main cause of global warming. Humans burning fossil fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, causes more CO2 to build up in the atmosphere. The more greenhouse gasses the more heat is held in. Since the industrial revolution, the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas has emitted roughly 500 billion tons of CO2 and about half has remained in the atmosphere.

How Does Climate Change Affect Us?

There are many ways climate change affects us.The change in climate is causing a lot of problems on earth such as extreme weather, drought, and flooding. Many people don't believe that this will affect them. Refugees are a big controversy in the world today but many people don't talk- or do not know- about climate refugees. Thousands of people are being displaced from their homes due to ocean levels rising, extreme weather, and drought. Soon the refugee crisis will reach an "unimaginable scale."

Climate change is a major threat to agriculture. When and how we grow our food is connected to having normal climate patterns. All over the world farmers are having a difficult time with unpredictable weather and water supply.

Warm, polluted air affects our health. More people are likely to die during extreme heatwaves and polluted air irritates lungs and triggers asthma attacks.

Why do People Deny Climate Change?

Although 97% of scientists agree that climate change is real and there is incredible evidence proving it, many people still deny it. Leaders and Big corporations deny it for financial reasons. Major corporations have a big influence in government and it is in their best interest to have no change in how they are run even though big changes, such as a carbon tax or switching to renewable energy, could help solve the issue. Cognitive dissonance and motivated reasoning play a big role in climate change and you can click here to learn more about what that is. People seek out information that confirms their preexisting beliefs. People do not like to be wrong and have a natural tendency to seek facts that support their beliefs and ignore anything that challenges them. People distrust scientists. Because the topic of climate change is really controversial at the moment between scientists who believe and do not believe that it is happening, people tend not to listen to them and instead listen to the people in their community and high-profile skeptics.

Why do People who do Believe Choose Not to Act?

I found a really awesome video that goes into more depth and you can watch it here.

Many people view climate change as a future problem and are therefore are not as motivated to do anything. People feel powerless and think that what they do won't have any effect. If everyone thinks like this, then there will be no change. It's hard to break a habit. People may want to help but they have a hard time committing or breaking the habit that harms the environment.

What Can You Do?

Some great ways to get involved can be found here

Few Ways I Got Involved

I helped organize an art workshop with the Montclair Co-op and the Montclair Film Festival to help bring awareness to the effects of climate change on the ocean. The art was all made out of plastic water bottles and plastic bags.