Over the past five decades, the problem of climate change has been a consistent dilemma across the planet. Ever since the second world war, the globe has been warming more rapidly, causing violent natural disasters, an increase of the extinction of wildlife, and a rise in sea levels. Although the changing climate has been proven scientifically along with its side effects, many people around the globe refuse to consider that the warming globe is causing unmitigated chaos and destruction, leaving the earth to deteriorate. This is partly due to the fact that a large number of the population do not see any importance in aiding the environment, but rather do things that contribute to the weakening of the atmosphere, as it is often viewed as a hoax. There are many other factors that contributes to an individual’s stance on the matter, like religious views in Mali, West Africa for example. However, scientist and global warming activist have discovered ways, both minuscule and colossal, to slow down the changing climate. Doing deeds like burning certain plants that produce bioenergy and store the carbon dioxide emissions underground (Canadell) and just simply planting more trees will service the situation at hand. That being said, however, more people should consider the plight in a more serious manner, as their help and actions on the fight against climate change will decrease the emittance of harmful objects into the atmosphere, essentially saving the earth and everything within it. 

Not only does the changing climate affect the earth’s population, but it affects the environment and everything within it. Crops within India are directly impacted by the sudden rise in temperature, rainfall, and a “decline in atmospheric evaporative demand” (Bhargabi and Hazari). These issues do not allow the crops to grow as needed, directly influencing any families who depended on those crops for food. However, this problem doesn’t only affect India. In South America, fields are becoming drier, making it harder to grow fruits and vegetables in their soil. This directly affects potato and corn production, as Brazil is a large producer of these crops. Also, higher temperatures make the weather worse, making natural disasters more periodically. This leads to hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and earthquakes. This year alone, there have been three “once in every 500 years hurricanes;” Irma, Harvey and Maria, all in the matter of months (NBC News). This has not only caused detrimental damage and heartbreak, but has also cost the country absurd amounts of money. Additionally, there has been a spike in the extinction and in the decline of quality of animals of all types. For example, ice across the Arctic Circle is melting, leaving polar bears both homeless and bewildered. The rising sea levels also affect the bears, as they are having less and less to eat, leaving them staved and essentially left for dead. Sea animals are continuously having trouble keeping up with the ever so changing ocean levels, making it hard for them to adapt, leading to an alarming extinction rate. Scientist have said that “vertebrate species...are disappearing 114 times faster than they should be, a phenomenon that has been linked to climate change, pollution, and deforestation” (NRDC). Even as some of these problems do not immediately affect everyone around the planet, it affects the ecosystem as well as the environment, which will inevitably impact the human race. 

After years of research by distinguished scholars and scientists, it has been determined that there is no way to stop the changing climate completely. There is, however, ways to decrease the emittance of harmful gases and fossil fuels into the atmosphere. There are both scientific and everyday ways to “fix” this problem, making an appeal to all people across the board. A new “fad” that is making way across the world are green roofs. These are gardens on top of homes that “reduce in storm-water runoff and improving storm-water quality, reduce interior noise levels, reduce dust and air pollution levels, and increase thermal efficiency” (Dimitrijeviç). Green roofs will help improve environmental quality, as well as boost social and economic qualities. Additionally, there are ways that will allow plants that produce bioenergy to store the omitted carbon dioxide gases underground, keeping the poison out of the atmosphere. Renowned scientist Bill Nye states that “plants and trees absorb CO2 as they grow, "sequestering" carbon naturally. Increasing forestlands and making changes to the way we farm could increase the amount of carbon we're storing.” Again, this will allow the emissions to be stored elsewhere, making the atmosphere and air we breathe both cleaner and safer. However, there are more conventional, or easy, ways to help the environment that the typical family or citizen can participate in and benefit from. This includes using energy-efficient light bulbs, cutting meat from the everyday diet, working to become zero-waste, or simply just walking or carpooling to work. Scientist and researchers continue to reinstate the fact that working together for a common goal is vital to preserving the earth. 

Despite all of the compelling evidence in support of the climate change argument, there are still many people who disagree with the capability of the problem. Recently, the argument has become extremely political, with skeptics leaning towards the Republican side while the believers tend to be more Democratic. Aerospace engineer Ed Hiserodt discusses how he notices that “record-low temperatures have recently been seen across the world; during the last decade, summers have become cooler and winters more harsh” (Hiserodt).  The events of the warming globe have been described as a “hoax” by 60% of Republicans (Timmons), and as “just weather” from President Donald Trump. This became one of the most controversial things done during his reign, as he has pulled the United States out of the 2015 Paris Agreement, an agreement from the United Nations to discuss and fund the dealing with greenhouse gas emissions starting in the year 2020. The conflicting sides of skeptic versus believer is what makes it difficult for everyone to work towards protecting the earth, as both sectors are arguing more than taking action. In addition to the political aspect, companies have begun to capitalize on the changing climate. Research shows that major companies do not necessarily care about their carbon footprint, but rather exploit the situation to make a profit. It is believed that corporate America “need to engage with environmental issues as a key strategic concern; in short, they can ‘do well by doing good’” (Wright and Nyberg). This means that major companies believe that they can do well financially by faking a good cause, as the general public is easily fooled. When corporations capitalize on problems like these, they are taken less seriously, and more as a joke. This creates a rift between business and citizens and Democrats and Republicans, worsening the argument and striving further away from the end goal. 

Climate change will continue to destroy the earth, no matter how many people are willing to help. However, it is possible to slow down these processes if everyone that is capable in the aiding of the environment, will. The disturbing effects of the changing climate; extreme and frequent natural disasters, the change in the environment and animals due to rising sea levels and destroyed habitats, and the ruining of crops around the world not only affect the environment around the world, but the population of the entire globe. Once this situation becomes less “he-said-she-said” and political, then people around the world will become more educated on the matter, in turn allowing the earth to heal.  It has been proven that once people around the planet come and work together for the prevailing goal of slowing down the climate, that it can sincerely be done. In conclusion, more people should consider the growing dilemma in a more serious manner, as it affects everyone and their help and actions on the fight against climate change will decrease the emittance of harmful objects into the atmosphere, essentially saving the earth and everything within it. 
