California Fire
Many people claim climate change is a hoax, yet it’s getting increasingly harder to ignore.
In just one year, California has experienced three of its four largest wildfires in state history. And to make this worse:
It’s only just getting into what we call their traditional “Fire Season”.
So far, California has faced multiple mega-fires which have burnt well over three million acres of land.
This meant people have had to leave their homes, but it also means animals are without their natural habitat.
Not only are people and animals losing their homes, but they are being smothered in toxic fumes that are damaging to health.
All of this is only more proof that climate change is real, and it’s having a disastrous impact on the planet.
The next question is…
What Is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to how the weather conditions are changing over time. Not only in California, but if has a negative impact to the rest of the planet. Whether you are in Dubai, Mumbai, Manila or California, the environmental devastation is catastrophic.
This makes areas that have a colder climate, seeing the weather getting warmer and warmer as the years go by.
Climate has been changing since the start of time, which has to lead some people to believe it’s a hoax. The problem isn’t the weather changing, it’s the rate in which it’s happening that’s the dangerous part.
Ice caps are melting due to the weather change, and it’s not just the icebergs in the water you need to be worried about. It’s the ice on the mountains, and on land you have to be fearful of.
If this ice melts, it will significantly increase water levels all over the world and potentially take out coastal cities all over the world.
What Causes Climate Change?
When it comes down to it, there’s one main contributor to climate change, and that’s human activity. Every day we mine fossil fuels, burn them, and release dangerous fumes into the environment.
Fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide, which under high quantities, can be extremely damaging to the planet. Carbon dioxide helps break down the ozone layer, which makes the temperatures rise each year.
And it doesn’t stop here!
A build-up of these gases causes the Greenhouse Effect, which again is heating the planet and melting our ice caps.
The usual defense line against carbon dioxide is trees, but again humans can’t help but interfere.
Every year, millions, if not billions, of trees are cut down for wood, paper, or farming land. Without trees, humans have no way of filtering carbon dioxide.
Deforestation is becoming a huge problem that needs addressing. Thousands of animals are killed, hurt, or left without homes from human actions.
Sorry to say the damage people are causing to our planet doesn’t stop there.
Every day, people carelessly chuck away their trash without a second thought. This is having disastrous effects on the ocean and the animals that live in it.
But what people might not realize is it’s actually affecting the climate too.
You see, the decomposition of non-biodegradable products produces a lot of methane gas. And this gas is a lot more active when you compare it to carbon dioxide.
That being said, when properly taken care of, methane can actually be useful. The problem is most of the time; it’s not.
How Can We Reduce Climate Change?
In the previous section, three causes of climate change were identified:
- Burning oil
- Deforestation
- Poor waste management
All of these three things are a direct cause of climate change, and they all have one thing in common. They are all human activities. Which means we have the power to change it.
Here are a few things you can do to reduce climate change:
Reduce How Much Oil You Use
This could be things like walking or taking a bike to work instead of driving your car.
Not using your car does two things:
- Reduces the demand for oil
- Reduces carbon emissions
As you already know, carbon is a huge factor in climate change, which is why anything you can do to reduce emissions is very beneficial.
If walking or biking isn’t for you, why not set up a carpool and share a ride with co-workers. Although you’re still driving, it’s only one car instead of five.
It’s the small things that count.
Think Sustainability
With deforestation increasing all over the world, it’s more important than ever to think about sustainability. But what does this mean?
An excellent place to start is recycling paper or buying recycled paper. This reduces the need for virgin wood.
Another option is to use alternative materials like hemp or bamboo. Both of these materials grow quickly in very harsh conditions.
This makes the two materials far more sustainable than traditional paper.
Perform Perfect Waste Management Imperfectly
You really need to think about how you dispose of your waste.
Things like biodegradable trash bags offer an excellent opportunity to reduce methane build-up.
Here’s the thing:
Trash needs three conditions to biodegrade:
- Heat
- Oxygen
- Moisture
It’s unlikely the trash will get all three conditions with traditional trash bags, which is terrible. It ends up with a build-up of methane, which usually isn’t handled correctly.
Biodegradable trash bags break down nicely and let the trash get all three conditions it needs.
Round-Up
Climate change is here, and it’s very real; we only have to look at fires in California to see the devastating effects it’s having on the planet.
Luckily, you can do things on a personal level, but it’s not just down to you. It’s time to look at the big corporations that produce more greenhouse gases in one day than you do in a lifetime.
