Currently, over 150 world leaders and 40,000 other attendees are meeting in Paris for the 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change. With sea levels rising, oceans acidifying, temperatures warming, and glaciers melting, this year, we need to see some real change. Developing and developed nations must come to an agreement on how to do their part to reduce climate change. With over 100 people detained in Paris as a result of climate change protests, much of the world agrees.
In 2010, an international agreement was made to set a goal of global temperatures rising no further than 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F) by 2100. This number was agreed upon by most world scientists as the number for avoiding the most catastrophic effects of climate change. Currently, the global temperatures have already risen 1 degree C, and if we continue on the current pollution trajectory, global temperatures will rise above 5 degrees C (9 degrees F) by 2100. Warmer regions will feel the most extreme effects of global warming, and it is possible that Middle East regions could see unlivable temperatures in the near future.
With these warmer temperatures, oceans will see thermal expansion as well as glacial melting. Combined, these effects will cause anywhere between 2.5 and 6.5 feet of higher sea level. This is not only enough to swamp island nations, but also enough to hit home -- many of America’s largest cities, like the ones nearest to the coast, could be underwater should we continue on this path.
In addition, climate change will lead to more extreme weather conditions. Dry regions will become drought-stricken, wet regions will flood, and weather catastrophes such as hurricanes and tsunamis will ensue. Millions would be forced to leave their homes in search of more livable climates, as if the world can handle more refugees.
To make the problem even more urgent, carbon emissions decrease grain growth and increase weed growth. As the population fast approaches nine billion, the world cannot afford any decrease in crop production.
Climate change is no longer an issue that we can simply ignore the way we once ignored the harmful effects of smoking or tanning beds. It is real, and it will have a direct impact on your life in the near future. So, this year, let us all hope and pray for real change at the climate talks.
