Is Going Green Worth It?
Climate change is one of the biggest threats to the environment, therefore to our world. A crucial issue like climate change is very difficult to solve. So, is going green actually worth it? Some people believe that an individual wouldn’t be able to alter the drastic changes in the environment. In my opinion, if every living individual had the same beliefs, the human impact on the environment would hinder. “The ‘problem’ of climate change is a very complex one — it comes from a lot of different sources, and most importantly, from our everyday bad habits. We know where we’re headed if we don’t do anything, so I’m charging full on into it, and I encourage everybody on this planet to do the same so that we can hope for a better world.” (Rafael, 2017). To overcome the rise of global warming and the long term effects of manmade climate change, every individual has to take a step forward and go green.
Humans have the greatest impact on climate change and global warming; this shows that humans need to change their activities and their lifestyle into becoming more eco-friendly. This graph shows that as human development increases, the number of Earths that we would need also increases. Climate change and global warming can be reduced when all humans attain in having a life that does not degrade the environment.
(footprintnetwork,2013)
Going green is beneficial in many ways. For example, recycling is an important aspect that helps fight global warming since it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the amount of energy consumption. By using recycled materials for new productions it reduces the need for raw materials, which leads to a more sustainable way of production. Another procedure that will ameliorate the issue of climate change is diminishing the use of fossil fuels and start using renewable energy. “550 billion: Approximate cumulative tonnes of carbon emitted into the atmosphere by all human activities between 1870 and 2013 – meaning fossil fuels and cement have contributed more than two-thirds of all carbon emissions.” (Levin, 2013). Since fossil fuels cause a large amount of carbon emissions to the atmosphere, it is crucial that many individuals change to renewable energy because it would definitely lessen carbon emissions, thus reducing global warming. Supposing that individuals started using public transportation rather than their own vehicles, or factories stopped burning fossil fuels and started using renewable energy; the amount of climate change would decrease without a doubt. Also, if people keep on using fossil fuels unsustainably there wouldn’t be any fossil fuels left in the future; but we can never run out of renewable energy because we can never run out of solar energy.
There are many dangerous consequences for not contributing to save the Earth. If global warming keeps increasing the arctic would become ice-free, which will conduct in rising of sea levels and that will cover up most coastline cities. Moreover, a lot of droughts, storms, floods, heat waves, and many natural disasters will occur. Also severe weather changes can occur and will result in many diseases and higher death rates. (Denchak, 2016).
If every person tried going green, it would create a sustainable Earth for future generations. I believe that every individual can make a change because if we don’t try to help the environment and help terminate climate change and global warming, the Earth will come to an end very soon. Therefore, it is your choice whether you want to create a healthy and sustainable life for future generations or not.
References:
Raphael, T., & Botti, A. (2017, April 18). Scientists say the Great Barrier Reef is officially dying.
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https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-04-18/scientists-say-great-barrier-reef-officially-dying
Sustainable Development. (n.d.).
Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/sustainableDevelopment?cn=all&type=earth&yr=2013
C. (n.d.). Global Climate Change Indicators. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from
(n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2017, from
Levin, K. (2013, November 22). Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Fossil Fuels and Cement
Reach Highest Point in Human History. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/11/carbon-dioxide-emissions-fossil-fuels-and-cement-reach-highest-point-human-history
March 15, 2016 Melissa Denchak. (2017, July 25). Are the Effects of Global Warming Really
that Bad? Retrieved December 16, 2017, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/are-effects-global-warming-really-bad
Speer, M. (2012, April 02). The Most Important Reason to Go Green. Retrieved December 16,
2017, from http://www.isustainableearth.com/sustainable-living/the-most-important-reason-to-go-green
Roberts, D. (2017, December 01). Wealthier people produce more carbon pollution - even the
"green" ones. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/12/1/16718844/green-consumers-climate-change
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