With the weather getting warmer earlier in the year, many different aspects of daily life are being affected. Global Warming is a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system. As the planet continues to get warmer, the environment continues to suffer. Luckily, there are things that can be done to help.

According to the National Climate Assessment (NCA), human influences are the number one cause of global warming, especially the carbon pollution we cause by burning fossil fuels. The globe continues to get hotter as humans continue pumping carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air.

The government has taken action by setting up research and development programs; such as the Natural Gas STAR program and the Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy. These programs work with businesses to reduce the amount of pollution they emit.

Some however do not believe the government is doing enough to help the cause. In May of 2017, President Donald Trump refrained from signing the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is an agreement between the United Nations (UN) to reduce the amount of green-house gas emissions.

Green-house gasses trap heat in the atmosphere causing the planet to get warmer.These gases are ultimately the cause for global warming.

Several animals are losing their habitats due to global warming. Some examples of species at risk are coral reefs, polar bears, and crops.

Global warming has also taken its effect on the seasons. The warmer weather causes longer spring and summer months, allergy seasons, and growing seasons. It also causes a “false spring” which leads to some flowers and trees blooming early and leaving them vulnerable to later frosts.

Action needs to be taken to address global warming. Some ways that can be done are by using fluorescent lights instead of normal light bulbs, driving less, and recycling more. Many are hesitant to change their way of living but the planet is in dire need of help.If everyone works together and changes just a few little things in their daily life, Global Warming could be slowed down.

Citations:

“Shifting Seasons.” Conservation in a Changing Climate, climatechange.lta.org/climate-impacts/shifting-seasons/.

Denchak, Melissa. “Are the Effects of Global Warming Really That Bad?” NRDC, 10 Sept. 2018, www.nrdc.org/stories/are-effects-global-warming-really-bad?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8crUisfe4AIVm0oNCh3dZwn6EAAYAiAAEgJO__D_BwE.

US Department of Commerce, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “How Does Climate Change Affect Coral Reefs?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, 3 Mar. 2015, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coralreef-climate.html.