Blog

                 By: Hayden Wilens

The phenomenon of climate change and its detrimental effects is a topic you may have conversed about. Increased climate temperatures, loss of animal habitats, and increased cost of fossil fuel energy are some of the many adverse effects of climate change, and you may have experienced them in your everyday life. Many of these effects, such as rising temperatures and sea levels, directly result from the carbon dioxide we produce, eventually making their way into the atmosphere. Typically caused by burning fossil fuels, oil, coal, and natural gas, these emissions directly impact the whole world; thus, switching to renewables is essential for continued life. Scientists around the northern and southern hemispheres have studied changes in ocean temperatures, carbon dioxide emissions in our atmosphere, and the effects they cause,  although climate change may or may not directly impact your life, understanding, and actions against this crisis are crucial. No matter how small, each person’s contribution is a step towards a sustainable future.   Our actions matter; together, we can make a difference and take action against the past harm we have caused.

                                                The Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle, the process through which living or dead organisms and the burning of fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, is a crucial concept to grasp in climate change. Once in the atmosphere, this carbon acts as a metaphorical blanket, trapping heat from the sun. The ozone layer, a protective layer in the Earth’s atmosphere, plays a vital role in this process. It prevents this carbon from escaping, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming worldwide. Understanding this process is key to comprehending the severity of the climate crisis. While the ozone layer prevents produced carbon dioxide from escaping, it also shields the Earth from harmful solar rays. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states, ‘’Scientific studies have shown that stratospheric ozone shields the planet from dangerous levels of the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting life on Earth.” The ozone layer has additionally been proven to prevent cancer-causing solar rays. However, Earth’s produced carbon emissions continue to accumulate, and there is no way of escape.   

                                                       Energy sources 

        America’s electricity demand in 2025 is estimated to be 2,505 billion kWh from fossil fuel energy. This immense amount of fossil fuel comprises 1802 billion kWh from natural gas,  675 billion kWh from coal, and 16 billion kWh from petroleum.  This electricity is used to power electronics, cars, lights, and many other electricity-reliant appliances. This amount of fossil fuel is responsible for 75 percent of America’s total energy consumption, showing that 25 percent comes from renewables such as solar, hydro, and wind energy.   The mass fossil fuel industry must be profitable, but at a cost—the cost of impacting habitats, oceans, animals, and humans. The use of fossil fuel-created energy is a significant threat to the environment, with more fossil fuels being burned at a staggering rate, massive amounts of carbon are released, and without room to escape, this carbon continues to retain more heat, menting land/sea ice, increasing water temperatures, causing more water vapor, wich result in larger, more frequent storms. With almost no carbon dioxide, renewables are the most beneficial to the environment and the most cost-effective in the long term.  America’s high fossil fuel energy usage results from “cheaper costs ” and the Trump administration’s agreement on the need to speed up energy projects; using non-renewable energy sources imposes significant threats to the climate and contributes to the modern-day climate crisis. Trump’s made-up energy emergency is a “hoax” to go forward with coal mining.

The regulations of the NEPA govern procedures for energy sources such as natural gas, petroleum, coal, uranium, and biofuels. Although his direct actions regarding climate change hurt the environment, they are positive from an economic point of view.

Many other contrys are taking the climate crisis extremely seriously, for example, China’s President Xi Jinping implemented a ‘cumbersome process’ that helped China dominate the refining of critical minerals and renewables, unlike America. This move demonstrated China’s commitment and contribution to preventing the climate crisis. This narrative that renewables are too expensive is a misconception. When using an energy source such as solar, financing plans are accessible. Within 25 to 30 years, the net savings are estimated to be upwards of 100,000 dollars for a typical home in the United States. And within a mere seven to ten years, the solar panels pay for themselves, and as time goes on, they continue to save you money. Switching to renewable energy is easier than ever and is a win for our environment and your wallet. So do whats right and make the switch.