Climate change is a natural process that the Earth goes through. However, this process has been sped up by human activities. Our use of fossil fuels, as well as emissions we all let off on a daily basis has effected our climate. Regardless of the daily temperatures, the overall effect has drastically sped up as time continues to move forward. The process has effected sea levels, as well as loss of habitats for animals. This has occurred because of the overall melting of the ice in the arctic circle. The ice that runs off into the oceans causes the sea levels to rise, which then causes more of the icebergs to melt. The more of the ice that is lost, the more habitat is taken away from this animals. The sea levels rising has effected areas in which we are able to live. The water creeps further and further up our shores taking away beaches, and land for us to build on. The more of the ice that is taken away, and the more dark water there is in the ocean, the more sunlight is absorbed, and the more the ocean temperatures heat up. The warmer the ocean temperatures get, the more it affects sea life, and the harsher the storms get because of the warm water they grow stronger off of.
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"From about 1850 to 1900 the temperature moved up and down but overall stayed relatively constant" (Robertson, 74).
The process of climate change was not affected during those years due to humans not yet emitting as much harmful gases as we do today. With their behavior then, the natural process was able to happen without interference. Now this process happens the other way as well. The earth also becomes very cold as well. For example the ice age. This was part of the cycle the Earth experienced when the overall climate began to become cooler. This allowed for more and more ice to be developed, which then began reflecting more of the suns rays out of our atmosphere, and allowed for more ice to form.
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"A significant component of sustainability work is aimed at is reducing the impact of climate change" (Robertson, 82).
This work is so important because it may not effect us humans today, but if this trend continues it will effect humans in the future. We are also so set on our own species, where our actions affect other species surrounding us. We share this Earth with several other species of animals, and most of us only look at them as animals. we are quick to endanger a species of animals to make sure we fulfill our wants, but what we do not currently realize is that this will eventually effect our species in the long run. Scientists stress this so much because they understand the possible effects that climate change has for us and they are trying to prevent us from harming ourselves.
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Sources
Robertson, M. (2017). Sustainability principles and practice. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
