Problems Of Climate Change

Climate change is defined as “a long- term change in the earth’s climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature” (). In the last century the average global temperature increased by more than 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. There have also been other changes in weather in climate, many places have experienced changes in rainfall, severe heat waves, ice caps melting, and sea levels rising. Although there are natural factors that effect the earth’s warming, global warming is primarily a result of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Some societies make disastrous decisions, and the world is on its way to making some disastrous decisions. This paper argues that Americans are blind to climate change and

The first problem discussed is pollution, pollution of air, water and soil. The number one pollutants are industry and motor vehicle exhaust. The next environmental problem is global warming which is the result of “human practices like emission of Greenhouse gases” (). Another issue presented was deforestation, which is the clearing of trees in order to make that land available for other means. Other issues mentioned include: overpopulation, natural resource depletion, waste disposal, climate change, loss of biodiversity, ocean acidification, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, water pollution, urban sprawl, public health issues, and genetic

In the documentary Blind Spot it is said “if everyone on earth consumed at the same rate of the average American we would need three planets”(). On a global basis if we were to continue with 3 degrees Celsius warming, the ice sheets in Greenland and west Antarctica would soften up and melt, causing the sea level to change drastically in a century. As ice sheets melt it becomes darker, when it becomes darker it will absorb more sunlight, which will cause more ice to melt, which causes a vicious cycle.

Americans know the harm they are causing but are not concerned with it. Which will ultimately lead to global destruction, similar to that of Easter Island, if we continue down this path. According to Diamond’s explanation of why societies make disastrous decisions, Americans know climate change is a problem but fail to make a difference. Only 42% of Americans view climate change as a threat, even though there are studies that show it is a very serious threat. Americans are failing to make a difference in their everyday life to