By Scott Lariviere, Staff Writer
Storms, heat, and disaster— oh my! With recent storms and some of the highest temperatures in recorded history, climate change is all too obvious a culprit, right? Well, maybe not.
Climate change doesn’t sound so terrible when you simlpy call it “climate change”, but once it’s called “global warming”, it becomes a bit scarier.
Then, you’ll hear news stories on TV about summer weather temperatures and it becomes, yet again, even more alarming.
The vast majority of scientists around the globe have reached a consensus that climate change is not simply a hoax cooked up by a particular political party or agenda.
It is also not the work of a secret society, like the Illuminati. However, there are those in the political arena, as well as outside of it, that disagree with scientists and believe that there is no such thing as climate change.
In response, NASA has provided a section on its website to inform people about the exact facts and dangers of climate change. There, they have a statement provided from research done within eighteen different scientific associations.
The website states that “observations throughout the world make it clear that climate change is occurring, and rigorous scientific research demonstrates that the greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are the primary driver.”
Now, sure, some may dispute that NASA is an organization that is funded by the U.S. government so it could potentially be biased and seek to skew information towards a particular, per-suasive direction.
But is it really?
Can one adequately claim that all the observations and data collected by scientists from around the world is completely false and is nothing more than a grand, elaborate hoax?
In recent days, news outlets have been reporting on the devastating storms that have been occurring, specifically storms such as Hurricane Matthew.
Now, sure, storms have been taking place since well into the past, recorded or not, but today there seems to be a pattern forming: The storms and the weather seem to be becoming harsher.
ABC News reported that over 900 people lost their lives in Haiti because of Hurricane Matthew alone.
Of course, reading more about the hurricane events online only makes a believer in climate change feel justified in their thinking. It seems logical, no matter what side you’re on.
Storms aside, higher temperatures are also worrisome.
This past summer, news was released that roads were melting in India during a heat wave due to record high temperatures.
Yes, you read that right: Roads were actually melting.
Think about how scary that is. Imagine walking on campus and the asphalt begins to melt beneath you.
It’s not something one wants to think about.
But, amid these record temperatures, devastating storms like Matthew, and scientists waving the red flag of danger, there are still those who simply do not believe in climate change.
Like any other expert in any field of expertise, climatologists are trained extensively in their field. It is custom for everyone to take advice and instructions from experts in a given field.
Patients listen to doctors, students listen to professors, etc.
Well, wouldn’t it make sense that folks should listen to the experts in climatology? You know, they are experts, meaning they know a lot more about a certain subject than we do.
Now, put aside the political party you’re from, what president you will elect, and look at the big picture logically.
Published on NASA’s website one can find the logical breakdown as they write, “The heat-trapping nature of carbon dioxide and other gases was demonstrated in the mid-19th century.”
They continue, “Their ability to affect the transfer of infrared energy through the atmosphere is the scientific basis of many instruments flown by NASA. There is no question that increased levels of greenhouse gases must cause the Earth to warm in response.”
Taking this information into consideration, doesn’t it make sense?
If it has been proven that carbon dioxide has the ability to trap other gases in, the greenhouse effect isn’t simply the work of science fiction.
Whether or not one believes in climate change is one’s prerogative, but don’t let politics get in the way of something this consequential.
With storms like Hurricane Matthew and high temperatures in such abundance this past summer, it may be the right time to set aside differences and address what could be the defining issue that the globe must come together to solve.