Growing up in Colorado, it is no surprise that I love the outdoors. Ever since I was little, my dad and I would go on long hikes, take camping trips, and explore the beautiful and colorful Colorado.
Now Earth is in serious danger, with 2023 being the hottest year ever recorded, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Climate change is not a future problem that the next generations need to handle, it is something that is happening now, as greenhouse gases are having detrimental effects on the world. Scientists have high confidence that global temperatures will continue to rise for many decades, mainly due to greenhouse gases produced by human activities.
Yes, changes in the environment cycles are natural and have occurred forever. However, due to recent events over the last 20 years, our greenhouse gas emissions have continuously grown and are not slowing down. In 2022, levels of the third-most significant anthropogenic greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide, rose by 1.24 ppb to 335.7 ppb, which is tied with 2014 as the third-largest jump since 2000 and a 24% increase over its pre-industrial level of 270 ppb, according to NOAA.
Allowing climate change to be the next generation’s “problem” will guarantee that there will be no Earth for them to enjoy. By 2050, a further 24 million children are projected to be undernourished as a result of the climate crisis, and by 2040, it is estimated that one in four children will be living in areas with extreme water shortages. The climate crisis is forcing families to migrate, and by 2050 there could be 143 million more migrants due to the climate crisis, according to Save the Children.
Some of the ways that the ordinary person can help include moving toward more reusable materials and reducing the waste of plastics and harmful materials for the environment. It is time to speak up and ensure that there will be an Earth for future generations to enjoy the way we have.
