Browne 1

Kyla Browne
Mrs. Harley
8A English
Period 1
Global Warming/ Climate Change
There is no significant man-made global warming at this time, there has been none in
the past and there is no reason to fear any in the future. Ninety-seven percent of climate
scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human
activities. We have arguments on both sides of this controversy, but which should we regard as
true? Both seem quite convincing..
The notion of climate change may be alarming and it is crucial to be aware of what it
entails. Climate is the consistent weather conditions of a particular vicinity and change refers to
modifications. Climate change is the steadily heightening, or changing, global temperatures and
oceans attributable to the greenhouse gases that linger in the Earths atmosphere: water vapor,
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. However, some of these factors cannot be
suppressed such as water vapor which sparingly contributes to climate change but, atmospheric
substances such carbon dioxide have the ability to be sufficiently depleted with collaborative
efforts globally. Carbon dioxide specifically absorbs infrared radiation by trapping it within
Earths atmosphere rather than letting it escape therefore contributing to increasing climate. In a
recent study, European researchers discovered that drastically differing impacts accompanying a
1.5 degree Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit) increase in comparison to a 2

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degree Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) increase. It is presumed that the additional 0.5 degrees
C would mean 10-cm higher global sea-level rise by 2100, longer heat waves, and would result
in virtually all tropical coral reefs being at risk. Coral reefs in a 1.5 degree increase would at
least have an opportunity, through evolution, to adjust to the warming. However, with a 2 degree
increase coral bleaching would begin to occur. Coral bleaching is when the intense warmth of
ocean water causes the coral reefs to emit zooxanthellae, a type of algae, resulting in the loss of
pigmentation in the tissue. Apparently, also with an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius the
accessibility of fresh water would be reduced by ten percent which is fortunate in comparison to
the 2 degrees Celsius increase in which the decrease would double. In concern of these effects,
the Paris climate change conference was held on December of 2015 for the governments of 195
to agree upon keeping temperature increase very distant from 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to not
surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Critics deduce that there is a lack of historical and scientific proof to reveal a consistent
escalation in temperatures. Approximately 31,000 scientists concurred with a petition that
directly stated there is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide,
methane, or other greenhouse gases is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause
catastrophic heating of the Earths atmosphere and disruption of Earths climate. Some may also
quarrel that supposedly John Coleman, who is the co-founder of the weather channel, insisted
that the science is not valid by substantiating that "Heat waves have actually diminished, not
increased. and There is not an uptick in the number or strength of storms (in fact storms are

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diminishing). A climate change skeptic, by the name of Sarah Palin, even dedicated an
entire film entitled Climate Hustle to refuting climate change. In a recent interview she quoted
It is perpetuated. Its repeated so often that too many people believe that oh well, I guess that 97
percent of all scientists believe that mans activities are creating changes in the
weather. Who am I to question that? She says this sarcastically during the interview to
somewhat mock individuals who believe in climate change.
It would seem that there indeed is a warming trend in climatic conditions.
President Barack Obama utilized social media as a platform to announce via twitter
#climatechangeisreal, man-made and dangerous. NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, as mentioned in the introduction stated Ninety-seven percent of climate
scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human
activities. The implied 3 percent of deniers are evidently overridden. Also in accordance with
NASAs Goddard Institute for Space Studies, the last consecutive six months have had record
breaking highs. Alaska, contiguous United States, Africa, and North America all had some record
high temperatures during March 2016 while several other locations had warmer conditions than
typical. Furthermore, less than a week ago immense coral bleaching occurred right off the coast
of Christmas Island( an Australian territory). What this event indicates is that global warming is
advancing since only great warmth within the water triggers the coral reefs to lose their hue. This
may also propose a threat for marine life such as fish that utilize the vivid color of the coral reefs
to camouflage themselves from lurking predator.

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Ultimately, climate change is a phenomenon that has caused controversy in the scientific
community. Though some deniers put up a worthy argument to oppose climate change,
arguments supporting climate change are scientifically valid. Two degrees may seem miniscule
in the grand scheme of things but apparently it can have far reaching consequences, possibly
causing dramatic transformations to our planet. Whether or not climate change is real should not
inhibit us from taking steps to ensure the betterment of our Earth.

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Unfortunately with global warming, once the damage has been done, it is irreversible.
Thats what makes the situation more dire than other conflicts in the world. Its as if one is taking
a timed test. Once the time has run out, there is no going back to modify one answer. I intend to
make a video urging to perform simple tasks such as conserve light energy, take less prolonged
showers, invest in solar panels, and be more fuel efficient. Also creative minds are needed to
devise uses for renewable resources rather than continually use non-renewable resources when
we are well aware of its influences upon global warming. A movement could occur in which so
many individuals become involved that from 2016 to 2017 scientists can reveal feedback that the
levels of carbon have decreased along with global temperatures. Why jeopardize Earth when we
are being given an opportunity to salvage what we have left of it? There has been an increase in
the discussion of climate change on the news and headlines read Because of Climate Change,
Five Pacific Islands Have Vanished or The fire in Canada looks a lot like climate change-- and
that should scare you so awareness has been addressed but not necessarily the action component
which is what I want to focus upon.

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Works Cited
Taylor, Jason. "'Global Warming the Greatest Scam in History' Claims Founder of
Weather Channel." Daily Express Clarifications and Corrections RSS. N.p., 08 June 2015. Web.
08 May 2016.
Bast, Joe. "What 97 Percent of Climate Scientists Do." Heartlander Magazine. The
Heartland Institute, 12 May 2014. Web. 08 May 2016.
Silberg, Bob. "2016 Had Hottest March on Record." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the
Planet. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 08 May 2016.
European Geosciences Union. "1.5 C vs 2 C Global Warming: New Study Shows Why
Half a Degree Matters." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 08 May 2016.
"Paris Agreement." - European Commission. N.p., 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 08 May 2016.
"What Is Coral Bleaching?" What Is Coral Bleaching? National Ocean Service, 17 Mar. 2016.
Web. 08 May 2016.