Deforestation and Global Warming

Industrial chimneys paint darkness across Earth's canvas, progress's price written in smoke against blue skies. Vehicles have accumulated alongside population growth on Earth’s ground, and in turn, so have the poisons stemming from those vehicles. Humans have carelessly dumped trash on the sides of streets or near riverbanks, and to this day, the crumbled plastics bombarding nature’s home have overtaken the world and its odds of survival.

The pressing issue of environmental degradation has become a focal point for media, politicians, and the general public.

The accumulation of greenhouse gases has negatively affected Earth's atmosphere, gradually creating inadequate environments. Rising temperatures have slowly diminished a multitude of ecosystems, together resulting in an increasingly unlivable planet. The universe is gradually losing viability, and humans are the cause. However, with dramatic changes in environmental regulations—such as implementing clean energy use and proactive preventions—humans can hope to save the Earth and all the life it contains.

Global warming, caused by greenhouse gases, poses a significant threat, but these gases do not affect Earth until there is a marked increase in specific ones. The lack of widespread movements to combat global warming could be attributed to insufficient education on the topic. To effect change, there needs to be a clear understanding of what the greenhouse effect is, its implications, and how it functions. According to scientists, "greenhouse gases are reflected to the Earth’s atmosphere as heat radiation; the higher the amount of gases, the more heat energy is reflected back to Earth" ("Causes and Effects for Global Warming"). This fundamental understanding is crucial for motivating change.

Global warming is a problem with myriad causes, making it incredibly challenging to investigate each one comprehensively. However, scientists have highlighted the most significant contributors: human activities. The burning of fossil fuels for energy, coal, and oil has led to an overload of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This, in turn, traps heat and raises average temperatures ("Science"). The relentless pursuit of expansion and urbanization leads to deforestation, as metropolitan areas with malls, restaurants, and excess housing take precedence over preserving natural habitats. People take on the heavy task of chopping down thousand-year-old trees, dismantling the foundations of survival for future generations.

The shortage of trees due to deforestation causes a depletion of oxygen while increasing greenhouse gases. Alarmingly, statistics reveal that deforestation accumulates more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than vehicles on Earth (Scheer and Moss "Deforestation and its Extreme"). While the visible impacts of global warming are evident, public perceptions vary widely. Media and politics play significant roles in shaping these opinions. According to a study by BBC News, Republicans exhibit little trust in scientific climate studies and future trajectories, whereas Democrats are considerably more trusting of scientific work (Funk and Kennedy "The Politics of Climate").

Despite the growing number of skeptics, many continue to recognize the gravity of global warming and its effects. A decline in public concern, particularly among politicians, is worrisome. Politicians initiate the chain of implementing new rules and regulations if they deem it important. An increase in politicians acknowledging global warming as a genuine threat could pave the way for more opportunities to implement change. As greenhouse gas concentrations rise, former President Trump withdrew America from the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which committed 187 other countries to keeping rising temperatures below two degrees Celsius ("Trump on Climate Change"). This withdrawal seemed detrimental to global efforts to combat climate change. However, Trump later indicated plans to establish a new, more equitable deal to help prevent temperature increases while being fair to American businesses and workers ("Trump on Climate Change").

Politics and media create a social stream connecting people, providing an accessible platform for spreading the word about global warming prevention. The changing climate is becoming evident through seasonal patterns, with each summer hotter than the last and winters becoming unexpectedly milder. Studies show that "higher temperatures are more prevalent and increasing, while lower temperatures are not" (Callery "Global Climate Change"). This shift poses a threat to plants, animals, and all of nature, which have evolved to depend on specific seasonal conditions for growth and survival.

The oceans, covering seventy-one percent of Earth's surface, also bear the brunt of climate change. They are home to millions of animals and thousands of species, essential for sustaining life on this planet. Industrial factories, which have proliferated since the eighteenth century, have contributed to a thirty percent increase in ocean acidity. As these factories emit high levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the oceans absorb more of it, becoming more acidic (Callery "Global Climate Change"). The consequences of global warming are severe and have continuously disrupted the natural order. Beyond environmental impacts, global warming poses health risks to humans. Changes in temperatures and excess gases in the atmosphere can lead to the spread of vector-borne diseases. The shifting distribution, migration, and behavior of mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents increase the risk of diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease being transmitted to humans (Balbus "Climate Change and Human Health").

In the face of new diseases and environmental challenges, humans also tackle issues like equal rights, equal pay, and discrimination. Despite these challenges, they strive to overcome obstacles. The Fourth National Climate Assessment claims that global warming could be counteracted if society actively works to reduce greenhouse gases ("Trump on Climate Change"). Hope for a sustainable future hinges on collective efforts to combat global warming. Simple actions, such as reducing hot water usage, washing clothes in cold water, adjusting thermostats slightly, using energy-efficient light bulbs, and recycling, can collectively save approximately three thousand pounds of carbon dioxide per household ("10 ways to stop").

Numerous accessible options are available to initiate change. More substantial interventions, such as reducing industrial factory emissions, preventing deforestation, and curbing the development of high-emission vehicles, are also crucial. Preventing deforestation not only reduces carbon dioxide accumulation but also allows for tree planting. A single tree absorbs over a ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime ("10 ways to stop").

Both simple and significant changes in society are achievable, and many options are available to begin with. Global warming, resulting from the accumulation of greenhouse gases, fills environments with toxins and destroys nature. However, with concerted efforts, humans can aspire to reclaim Earth. Addressing global warming requires the collective involvement of millions, if not billions, of people, along with increased regulations on deforestation, industrial factories, and pollution reduction.

Planet Earth stands as the only known haven for life in the universe, and society must not allow past mistakes to degrade what remains. The future is not enigmatic; society will understand how Earth will fare in the years to come based on the actions taken now. Let humanity not bring about its own downfall but instead unite millions of people today to create a world free from the poisons that threaten it.

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