Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity are important to life on Earth. Without them, the fundamental resource for humans, animals, and plants would crumble. We rely on nature to provide us with food, clean water, medicines, and disaster prevention, but nature also depends on us to maintain the balance.
However, our climate is changing, naturally and mostly caused by human exploitation. What kind of proof do we need to act now if there is already undeniable evidence that climate change and global warming are affecting humans, animals, and other living things? Until nothing is left or everything is destroyed?
Here’s how we can change your perspective and start a movement. Read more about Climate Action Now: Things that you want to happen are happening.
1. Ice Reduction Threatens Polar Bear Populations
Photo source: Domestic Preparedness
Climate change poses a threat to polar bear populations. They rely on ice to hunt seals, and prolonged ice-free seasons are thought to drive them out to look for alternative terrestrial food, which will be difficult for them to adapt due to different environments.
In addition, the melting of glaciers leads to rising sea levels that will eventually increase coastal erosion, and elevates storm surge over time.
2. Wildfires Lead To Habitat And Food Loss.
Photo source: National Geographic
Over the last two decades, climate change has progressively loaded the deck in favor of larger and more intense flames across the American West. This picture displays the creek fire in California's Sierra National Forest, which has burned hundreds of thousands of acres.
According to Philip Higuera, a wildfire scientist and paleontologist at the University of Montana, he said that the scale and intensity of the wildfires burning across the western U.S. is “staggering.” As a result, hundreds to thousands of species lose their habitats and starve due to lack of food.
3. Coral Depletion Causes Erosion, Habitat Loss, and Sea Level Rise.
Photo source: National Geographic
A single coral can support thousands of species, serving as a fish nursery. However, half of all coral reefs have died in the previous 20 years. Coral reefs are very delicate ecosystems that are endangered by climate change and pollution produced by human activity. Without them, shorelines would be prone to erosion, and it would cause rising sea levels that force coastal towns to relocate.
4. Pollinators are Depleting.
Photo source: Environment America
Bees are essential pollinators, but many of their species are threatened by extreme heat. According to Peter Soroye of the University of Ottawa, climate change is the primary reason for the reduction of population in bumblebees. In addition, the highest bumblebee population losses are in areas severely impacted. The dropping of their numbers is also the downfall of our agriculture and ecosystem.
5. Threatens Human Life.
Photo source: Foreign Affairs
Our health is directly related to the environment that we live in. Climate change has been described as the biggest threat to human health in the twenty-first century by the World Health Organization (WHO). It has a number of negative effects on our health and well-being. The increased intensity of heat causes heatstroke, and air pollution exacerbates the spread of infectious diseases.
Environmental Issues are Political Issues!
Green practices are not enough to fight against climate change. To address the climate catastrophe, the government should establish effective and potential environmental regulations rather than relying on public responsibility.