Written by: Kamryn Mack and Maddie Dobyns

How can we as a society work to diminish the effects of climate change?
This question has been around for decades, but now, more than ever, it's crucial that we forfeit standing idle on the sidelines and instead take immediate action.

Firstly, how did this become a problem? 
Climate change itself is the long-term shift in Earth's average temperatures and weather conditions. It may not sound threatening, but it in fact threatens the existence of life itself. It gradually started in the 1800s, but in the later half of the twentieth century, humans rapidly exacerbated the effects of climate change, and it became a prominent world issue. Climate change harshly impacts our wildlife, pollution, and environment; subsequently affecting our overall health and quality of life. There have been a countless number of animal species going extinct, largely due to climate change drastically altering environmental conditions. Starting from the 1950s, we have also seen a significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions, along with the rise of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

Why should we care?
Studies have shown that this has caused the air quality to considerably worsen over time, and become less healthy to breathe; this is especially true in densely populated urban cities. To point to a direct effect climate change had on the environment, NASA officially announced that last year's (2023) summer was the hottest summer ever on record since 1880, and credited it to climate change. This is a worrying signal, not only because climate change shows no sign of slowing down in the future, but also because these drastic changes in climate come along with a multitude of extreme weather events. As climate change intensifies, there is a tangible uptick in wildfires, hurricanes, and heat waves worldwide. If you're still doubting the effects of climate change, scientists even predict that in the future, the Arctic will be ice-free.

What can you do as an individual to reverse the effects of climate change? We are all citizens of planet Earth and therefore have the duty of protecting it. Climate change is mostly due to human interaction, so we are the only ones who can prevent it. According to NRDC.org and davidsuzuki.org, here are some ways you can protect the planet on your own:

• Use renewable energy instead of using energy that emits fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. Some renewable energy you can switch to is Solar energy, which converts the sun’s energy into electricity; Wind energy, which is when wind turns wind turbines, spinning a generator; and Geothermal/hydroelectric energy, where hot water is removed from the ground to turn into steam, which spins a generator.
• Use “sustainable transportation” instead of releasing harmful gases such as greenhouse gases. This can be electric vehicles, such as a Prius or Tesla; and using public transportation, such as city buses or trains.
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle. We have all heard this said our entire lives, and not without reason. Litter is very harmful yet is done by many people worldwide. If you make sure to throw away your items correctly, and/or find another use for them, you can prevent the harmful effects of plastic litter.
• Research ways to protect our planet. You can research deeper into how you can help in your way. If you put effort into doing everything you can, you can make a difference.
• Finally, you can do all of this, but the best way you can help is by getting other people to do their part. By speaking up, this issue reaches a lot more people and can get into the hands of a leader who can do something bigger to help. One way to speak up is by signing this petition to prevent climate change by limiting the unnecessary and harmful projects that our government has approved. According to pbs.org, a big example of this is the oil drilling project approved by the Biden administration in Alaska which is harming the wildlife and environment in Alaska. By signing this petition, you can prevent these kinds of projects and make a change.

In conclusion, our planet is dying and we are the only ones who can heal it. We must try to prevent climate change and global warming because eventually, these will have irreversible effects and our planet will someday be uninhabitable. As an individual, to prevent this, you can use renewable energy; sustainable transportation; reduce, reuse, and recycle, and speak up for a healthy planet. By signing this petition, you agree that harmful and unnecessary projects, such as the oil drilling project in Alaska, need to be stopped, and you can make a difference and not be helpless in the fight against climate change.