Fiery Future Of Climate Change By Tim Dickinson

Global warming is a scientific, political, and controversial topic. Some believe it is catastrophic, a slow moving killer hiding in the shadows. Others do not even think twice about it as they race by in a Hummer. Global warming is the gradual increase of temperature throughout different climates. It is caused by the greenhouse gas effect in which greenhouse gases, like methane and carbon dioxide, reflect sunlight back and forth. This reflected ultraviolet light bounces between the earth and the ozone layer and becomes trapped, resulting in a gradual rise of temperature. Over time, the slow rise of temperature causes new climates throughout the globe. The article “What Megablazes Tell Us About the Fiery Future of Climate Change” by Tim Dickinson

Tim Dickinson paints this image into one’s head by the end of his article. Looking at global warming as a crisis, he argues that the continuously heating world is intensifying drought and setting the stage for mega fires, even in places like Alaska. According to Dickinson, humans are the main cause of global warming. This creates a dramatic problem, Dickinson explains, because Alaska has a large tundra that is drying out. The tundra is an important biome; it can store vast amounts of carbon dioxide in the ground. When these areas burn because of drought, they release huge amounts of carbon dioxide that is normally hidden under snow (Dickinson). On the other hand, Peter Minorsky writes that global warming can lead to more plant growth. Minorsky’s evidence complicates Dickinson’s ideas. There is even an indication of growth increases in Alaska from aerial photos dating back from 50 years ago to now in his article. He writes that there is already “evidence that many plant species are beginning to invade formerly colder climes as the world’s temperature begun to rise” (Minorsky). This pole ward invasion of plant life, according to Minorsky, obscures Dickinson’s Alaskan example. If there is growth happening, the fiery images seem to burn out, or at least appear as an

The gradual warming of temperatures doesn’t just effect us though, there are numerous other plants and animals that will be threatened, or even pushed to extinction due to these changes. I believe it is our duty to fix the problem that we created, but it is more easily said than done. Megablazes, droughts, or even species extinction due to human stubbornness is unacceptable. Although climate change is a gradual issue, the factors that contribute to it need to be managed right away. Again, Global warming is caused by UV radiation reflecting between the ozone layer and the earth. The ozone consists of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane, which humans are the main source of. If we could better manage our carbon dioxide and methane output through less omissions or a carbon tax, I think we could effectively begin to curb the problem of climate