Many people believe the idea of global warming to be a conspiracy theory. To many the idea that the Earth is getting warmer doesn’t seem plausible. On the other hand, many think that the Earth is heating up at an alarming rate and that it must be stopped. People who believe in global warming state that the ocean temperatures have risen and have already shown negative effects. As of last week, Hurricane Michael ravaged the Florida panhandle and southern Georgia. This hurricane hit Georgia as a category 3 storm, which has not been done since the mid 19th century, and as for Florida it was the worst hurricane the panhandle had ever seen. On the anti-global warming side many think that these stronger hurricanes and warmer temperatures are simply random events that don’t link to global warming. Conspiracy theory or not global warming will continue to be a topic of conversation until this debate is settled.
Global warming is the idea that global temperature continues to rise as the time continues to pass. The Earth is undeniably getting warmer and there is scientific evidence to prove that it is an issue we must address. According to NASA “the planet's average surface temperature has risen about 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century”, this may seem like a very low number, but in reality, it is huge (“Climate Change Evidence: How Do We Know?”). Global warming is something that we must address right now and attempt to stop before it gets worse. Many new reports state that humans have until 2030 to reduce carbon emissions before the global temperature rises beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius (Miller). The consequences if we surpass this 1.5-degree C mark will have very negative effects on our society as a whole. Many animals and plant species have been negatively affected by global temperatures rising. “For example, researcher Bill Fraser has tracked the decline of the Adélie penguins on Antarctica, where their numbers have fallen from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000 in 30 years.”, this is a significant drop in a species population and many more species will be affected in this way (“Global Warming Effects.”). The ice caps are melting and creating danger for both humans and wildlife. As the ice caps continue to melt the habitat loss for animals such as polar bears and seals will be an even bigger reality. The melting ice caps are making the ocean levels rise and are threatening the lives and homes of millions all over the world and the United States. Major cities such as New Orleans and Miami are under sea level or just at sea level and are threatened by major flooding in the near future. Already communities in Miami are experiencing random flooding events even when it does not rain, and the city has installed pumps all over the city to prevent future flooding and help alleviate the problem (“Miami Is Racing against Time to Keep up with Sea-Level Rise.”). Predictions regarding the sea level rise show an increase “between 13 and 34 inches.”, within the next 40 years, which means cities like Miami will be in the past.
On the other side, many feel that global warming is not an issue, or it does not exist in general. The idea mainly is that parts of the world are actually getting colder, and not hotter. As stated in the Forbes article, “Counter to what most expected in a globally warming planet, the Southeast of the U.S. has been getting colder during winter and spring months instead of warmer.”, this essentially helps fight against those who say the Earth is getting warmer (Nace). In 2016 then, presidential nominee Donald Trump chose to say at one of his rallies that global warming was a hoax and denied in man-made climate change (Foran). When the presidential nominee at the time made this statement, it made many of his supporters show themselves in the public being anti-global warming. Those supporters have their stance that the Earth’s climate changes every so often that global warming is not a major issue of concern. Many Christian conservatives do not believe in global warming and believe “if there’s a real problem, he [God] can take care of it.”, which has been an idea for quite some time now (“Perspective | Why Don't Christian Conservatives Worry about Climate Change? God.”). Many Christian conservatives feel that if you believe in global warming that you are going against the judgement of the lord and attempting to change something he wants to occur. From firsthand experience, I have a very Christian conservative friend who think that if you believe in global warming that you simply do not believe in God, because you are choosing to go against God’s handling of the world.
My personal stance is that I believe global warming is an issue that is currently destroying our planet right now. The issue is that many of our law makers do not think that global warming is an issue to address right now, but they are completely wrong. For example, in Florida their current governor banned “the terms “climate change” and “global warming” in official communications.”, this shows how conservative Republicans in office are seemingly dismissive of global warming being a major problem (Korten). States like Florida and Louisiana will greatly be affected by global warming and the rising ocean levels. New Orleans is a city below sea level, essentially in a swamp land surrounded by the Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf of Mexico. The city of New Orleans was single handily demolished by Hurricane Katrina after it destroyed its levees that were supposed to keep water out. The warmer ocean temperatures are allowing for stronger hurricanes such as Katrina to find an ideal area to strengthen and cause more destruction. Going back to last week’s hurricane, Michael “it became the first Category 3 hurricane to hit Georgia since 1898.”, these storms will only continue to get worse as the years go by (Miller, Griggs). We are often inclined to brush off situations like Hurricane Michael, Irma, and Maria as just random, but for multiple hurricanes of such strength and size to occur within the last two years alone are extremely alarming. The ocean temperatures especially in the Gulf of Mexico have been abnormally high compared to previous years, and sure it may offer a more pleasant vacation, but it has consequences. The destruction of wildlife from more frequent flooding and rainfall are creating a change in the way animals live. We have furthered the idea of natural selection and have forced animals to flee their original habitats and seek shelter in parts they are not normally accustomed to.
Global warming is an issue that is going to destroy our planet. From the rise in ocean temperatures to the increasing forest fires across the Midwest and southwestern United States, global warming is rampant everywhere. We as humans must halt the future effects of global warming now, for the damage already done is almost irreversible. By establishing new laws and requirements for companies and people who pollute, we might just be able to keep this planet alive for a little longer.