The Urgency of Addressing Greenhouse Gasses
In 2005, the United States, one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gas, vetoed all references to mandatory emission limits and timelines included in the Kyoto Protocol. For decades, climate change, despite its critical impact on our planet, has become the center of a political debate as Republicans have labeled the issue as a “liberal hoax.” Subsequently, the divide between the Republicans and the Democrats has become worse. Climate change, however, should not be a partisan issue, but rather, an imminent humanitarian crisis that requires a collective effort of our global society to preserve environmental justice.
That climate change has become a political debate is nonsensical. Science has validated the impact of greenhouse gas on our nature and what it would do to our humanity. Yes, greenhouse gas is not the sole factor that triggers climate change, and the degree of impact greenhouse gas emissions have on our Earth is neither validated nor measurable. Nonetheless, climate change should be a global concern, regardless of one’s political preference, and climate action should be a shared global goal. Neglecting climate change warnings, arguing that it is a hoax, is like refusing to quit smoking because not everyone who smokes develops lung cancer. Why would anyone choose to smoke when science shows that smoking increases the odds of getting lung cancer?
The split in opinions between the two parties on global warming couldn’t be more undeniable. A recent poll shows that 70 percent of Democrats who responded believed climate change was one of the highest priority issues that the government should be dealing with, while only a measly 23 percent of Republicans concurred according to Pew Research. Additionally, partisan policies have slowed progress in preventing and raising awareness of climate change. In 2003, Republican Senator John McCain tried passing a bill to curb emissions; interestingly, the bill was rejected by the Democrats who were known to be more proactive advocates for climate action than their counterparts. Twenty years later, a similar bill was passed by Democratic President Biden; this time, it was met with strong objections from Republican politicians. Environmental policies, needless to say, have long been the center of a bipartisan political debate.
Global warming is not going to slow down if we don’t take collective actions against climate change. The increase of Earth’s temperature has already significantly increased sea levels, making a serious impact on our nature and climate. Since 1993, the sea level has been increasing 0.14 inches per year - nearly double the amount that the increase was in years prior according to CISA. This puts many farmlands and sources of our food into considerable risk, alongside displacing and damaging many environments and people. This also leads to more frequent fires and droughts, removing biodiversity and increasing greenhouse gasses and radiation from the sun.
Our society views climate change more as a political issue. However, climate change should be viewed from a more urgent and humanitarian standpoint, as something we should all unite to sustain and prevent for the future of our humanity.
