Remember Bill Nye the Science Guy?
Love him.
In the video above, Bill breaks down the basic ideas about climate change.
Although naturally occurring gases like carbon dioxide and methane are harmless in small doses, when they are released in excess, they have a warming effect that can fundamentally change our climate.
Since the industrial revolution, levels of carbon dioxode in the atmosphere have increased dramatically. Today we produce 35 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year, 45% of which remains in the atmosphere. The majority of that excess comes from the burning of fossil fuels for transportation and energy.
In light of our history, today we are experiencing more evaporation, more precipitation, and more extreme weather than ever before.
For the developing world, this may seem to be just an inconvenience. For those living in extreme poverty however, natural disasters, droughts, and heat waves can mean the difference between life and death. Crops will be affected, food prices will increase, and more people will face malnourishment.
Bill paints a gloomy picture, but he reminds us that there is still hope: we can prevent further climate disruption by investing in clean energy. It's possible to have an impact and turn back the clock on climate change, but it begins with us taking small steps and making sustainable choices in our daily lives.
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