Let me remind you of a few highlights of 2020, apart from the mighty COVID 19 Pandemic, of course!
2020 was the second warmest year we have witnessed IN HISTORY! With that brought along so many new challenges like floods, melting of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, so many disheartening instances of wildfires and droughts. It was indeed one of the worst years we have witnessed. Let me give you some data on last year’s climate change news that would genuinely surprise you:
Effect on our Oceans
Our oceans have gotten 80% warmer than they ever were. This record high temperature means that there are just that much increase in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels in the water.
CO2 increases the acidic water levels, and fish and corals cannot cope with this; they sadly die from this sudden change.
If we continue going down this path, say goodbye to scenic marine biodiversity and say hello to a new world that is more polluted than ever and which is hotter than ever.
Effects on Land
Global warming is becoming more and more of a reality. In 2020, we witnessed such an increase in temperatures worldwide that it stirred up a long list of consequences, including WildFires.
The Australian Wildfires, Siberia and US West Coast wildfires have brought in so much pain this past year.
Last year, the average global temperature had increased by 1.2°C from the preindustrial level (1850-1900). This heat meant that the air was hot and dry.
Even with us currently experiencing La Niña, which has a cooling effect, it is not enough to reverse the damage we caused to the planet’s temperature.
Effects on Sea-Ice
2020 witnessed the chilling sights of glacial resources just get depleted so quickly. The occurrences of melting that used to take decades to occur were happening within months!
The melting of ice caused a decrease in sea-ice, which further caused an increase in water levels and a sharp increase in methane levels in the air: also adding to global warming.
The rise in water level meant an increase in floods and hurricanes. 2020 witnessed so many cyclones and hurricanes all around the world. Everyone living near the coast was affected in some way.
Green New Deal is a resolution by Congress to move the American society away from its dependence on non-renewable resources to 100% clean, green energy sources. This initiative also talks about guaranteeing living-wage jobs for anyone who needs one. It is the future that is built, keeping in mind inclusive, smart, and responsible views.
I list these few climate change news to highlight a few ways in which global warming affects you: individually.
The Green New Deal (GND) initiative by Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and many other politicians is a step in securing a safe future for our generations. Also, a steady future for us. GND is the way to fight climate change, and we must embrace it for a better, greener future.
It is the way for us to stop our dependence on non-renewable resources (oil, fossil fuels, etc.) and start looking towards a greener future that uses renewable resources (wind, water, electricity). The Climate Cabinet is pushing this initiative because it is high time we wake up and take ownership of our actions.