Research Paper Example on Global Warming

Children and young adults across the country and throughout the world are protesting and speaking out about the issues of climate change. Our future generations can see the decline of our planet and our future being ripped away by wealthy public leaders and older generations who refuse to change. “In one of the largest youth-led demonstrations in history, millions of people from Manhattan to Mumbai took to the streets around the globe on Friday, their chants, speeches, and homemade signs delivering the same stern message to world leaders: do more to combat climate change — and do it faster” (The Washington Post). So, why are kids, who make up the bulk of the population, taking action to combat global warming? Because they will be the ones most affected by global warming, the youth have united together to stand up to greater powers and fight for change.

Global warming as a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants. The greenhouse effect is the most prominent source of global warming, which is generated by a variety of human activities. The greenhouse effect occurs when the sun's heat is trapped in the planet's lower atmosphere. Radiation from the sun thins the atmosphere more than infrared radiation emitted from the planet's surface.  “In the United States, the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity is the major source of heat-trapping pollution, producing nearly two billion tons of CO2 per year. Power plants that use coal are by far the most polluting. The country’s second-largest source of carbon pollution is the transportation sector, which generates about 1.7 billion tons of CO2 emissions a year” according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. With the increased usage and demand for fossil fuels in recent years, the detrimental impacts of emissions have also increased. The rate of global warming is rising since fossil fuels are in or related to practically everything we consume. The International Association of Geophysical Contractors highlights the widespread use of fossil fuels in a recent publication. “Fossil fuels are found in 96% of the items we use each day. One major use of these products is as fuel, gasoline for cars, jet fuel, heating oil, and natural gas used to generate electricity”. The average family has two cars, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that there are over 100,000 commercial flights each day, not considering private, business, and military aviation. This indicates that within a single day, humans consume a massive amount of fossil fuels. Surprisingly, few of these individuals are from the younger generations. Dr. Estiri, a computational demographer at Harvard Medical School, outlines how much the older generation contributes to the energy issue and climate change in a New York Times story, and what this means for future generations. “There will be more warm days in most areas because of climate change, there will be more energy use by the older group. And because of the aging population, there will be more people in that age group. These trends will amplify each other.'' The overwhelming majority of people in older generations are set in their ways and act unconcerned about the implications of their behavior or how they will influence future generations. It's difficult for these elder generations to comprehend the severity of global warming because the effects will never catch up to them. It will, however, catch up with young people and have an impact on the remainder of their life and those who come after them.

It's tremendously frustrating for teenagers who are aware of the potential implications of global warming in a time when our country's leaders openly deny climate change and global warming as scientific facts. Global warming has been a major subject of debate. People are forgetting that global warming is not a hypothesis; it is a scientifically confirmed consequence of human pollution. Science is not an arguable subject; it is the study of the nature and behavior of natural things, as well as the information that we get from it. Global warming is real, and it should not be ignored. It has happened so quickly that it is extremely difficult to ignore the consequences, whether they occur over the course of our life spans or in our everyday lives. Young people should not be subjected to the long-term repercussions of global warming while they have little or no say in the matter.

The political side of the matter is particularly aggravating for young people for those who are unable to vote or participate in politics. Research shows what recent important politicians deny climate change in an article published by The Poynter Institute. “Most recently, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., made waves for denying a link between human activity and climate change. “I do not believe that human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it, and I do not believe that the laws that they propose we pass will do anything about it. Except it will destroy our economy". Hearing powerful people like Marco Rubio, who possesses authority in our government and makes laws, make a statement like this about genuine problems is extremely concerning for young people who will bear the brunt of the consequences. It's especially depressing for individuals who can't vote or have a say in the situation. Even if a significant proportion of the elder generation is concerned about global warming and is prepared to take action, important world leaders are failing to make the necessary reforms to guarantee the future of coming generations. The President of the United States, perhaps one of the most powerful individuals in the world today, has openly expressed his views on global warming and made jokes about it. The following is a Tweet from Donald Trump on January 28th, 2019 he carelessly remarks: “In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded. In the coming days, expected to get even colder. People can’t last outside even for minutes. What the hell is going on with Global Warming? Please come back fast, we need you!” It is discouraging for the general public to hear someone in such a high position of power make light of a serious subject that will affect many people in the future.

The Natural Resources Defense Council did studies on global warming's effects. These include “Melting glaciers, early snowmelt, and severe droughts will cause more dramatic water shortages and increase the risk of wildfires in the American West. Rising sea levels will lead to coastal flooding on the Eastern Seaboard, especially in Florida, and in other areas such as the Gulf of Mexico. Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves, heavy downpours, and increased flooding.” These variables all contribute to the planet's declining health. Many plant and animal species may become extinct as a result of climate change and habitat degradation. Due to the increased growth of pollen-producing ragweed, higher levels of air pollution, and the proliferation of conditions favorable to pathogens and mosquitoes, "allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks will become more widespread," according to the study. This suggests that climate change will have a greater physical impact on us than previously imagined. Global warming is not something the youth are ready to disregard, especially with such serious consequences.

Optimist youth activists want to see change and are taking steps to make it happen. Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist, has become a global figure in the fight against climate change. Greta remarked at a rally, "Our house is on fire... We are not going to sit back and watch." She has been outspoken and persuasive in her views on global warming, and she has succeeded in bringing about change. Schoolchildren “across continents waved placards and chanted slogans in what could be the biggest ever demonstration over global warming caused by humans.” So, why are younger generations so concerned? The obvious response is that they are the ones who are most affected by global warming, and action must be taken now before it is too late. We need to do our share as some of the last generations with the ability to make a difference in the world before climate change becomes permanent. Not only do our children need to keep working to make a difference, but adults need to take action as well. TIME magazine’s Saul Griffith emphasizes “I have to be optimistic. I’m the father of young children and I want them to not only survive what humanity has done to our planet, but experience the awe of the natural world that I enjoyed as a child.”