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Jalal Sylvester
Prof. Morean
English 1201
26 April 2020
Climate change… it is a phrase I have heard about my entire life. I was born in

2002 and now countries had begun to realize the damage that already been done. I

have seen many animals I see at the zoo become extinct or slowly lose their habitats,

as I became older I began to grasp the concept of climate change and how big of an

issue it had become. Although action is being taken to prevent the damage caused by

climate change some people believe it may be enough to reverse the damage that is

done while others may not think it is not. It is likely no matter what action humans

continue to take to prevent and reverse climate change, the damage done to the earth

is too significant to fix but actions can be taken to prevent the planet from becoming too

damaged.

Climate change has stemmed from humans polluting the planet. Our carbon

emissions have caused the temperature to rise slowly. The implications it has been

having on the planet have been dramatic. Internationally, countries only began to take

collective action in 1988 by the formation of The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change (IPCC). There after countries across the globe have been working to tackle

climate change and prevent it from getting out of hand by coming together on multiple

occasions and creating frameworks to be followed.

The rate at which climate change is putting the earth at risk is alarming. We need

to action to prevent natural disasters from putting humanity at risk. A quote from

Climate Change Solutions – Sensible or Misguided shows that this grim future awaits
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us, “Moreover, there is compelling evidence that changes in the Earth’s climate have

already happened, including increasing frequency of weather extremes causing heat

waves, droughts, floods, fires and storms.” (Issacs 4) This quote is demonstrating how

these changes are already taking place and impacting humans as they are happening

more and more often which can have an impact on our way of living. This is important

because it shows us how these things are already occurring and the rate at which the

temperature is increasing they are only going to get worse if action isn’t taken.

Humans deserve basic rights and climate change has been threatening many

lives as they may not be given the oppurtunity to experience every human should be

able to. A great way that was used to describe this was in Human Rights and Climate

Change: Protecting the Right to Life of Individual “We need a receptive environment to

enjoy our human rights in the first place, and without the right to life guaranteed, all

other human rights are basically meaningless.” (Albers 117) This quote shows us just

how important for humans to be able to live long lives. Without the proper environment

humans will not be able to enjoy things such as easy access to clean water, grow food,

or have the necessary land to sustain the population growth our world is experiencing.

Another quote that help exemplifies what each human deserves is “. It is namely

estimated that anthropogenic,15 human-induced climate change now causes 400,000

deaths per year, a number that has been projected to rise to 700,000 per year by 2030.”

(Albers 117) This quote helps put into perspective how many lives are at stake if we do

not take further action on climate change. As you can tell it will only continue to grow in

the future. These show just how important it is to consider the future of humans and

how we may not have a future without taking action to save the planet and combat
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climate change as hundreds of thousands of lives are already being loss because of

climate change.

One thing humanity can not survive without is food and water. Climate change is

threatening these very things as we know it. To help put this in perspective shows you

just what is at stake “These climate hazards are affecting food security, human health,

water supply, infrastructure and natural ecosystems. Without immediate action to limit

temperature increases, the impact of global warming could be destructive for humanity.”

(Issacs 4) This quote shows us just how many things are being jeopardized by climate

change. Not only does it impact humans, it will impact the other species that inhabit the

earth which we need for our survival as well. The reality is that this would not happen

overnight, it would be a drawn out over many years as we begin to lose access to the

things we need to survive until there is none left. This goes to show the importance of

ensuring we combat climate change and take to make sure we do not lose the things

humans to survive.

Although the survival of humans is what driving us to truly combat climate

change, countries across the globe have been coming up with ways to do this. One of

the ways countries were able to reach a global agreement was with The Paris

Agreement. One of the main goals of the Paris Agreement is “ Holding the increase in

the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and

pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels,

recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change;”

(United Nations 3) This shows you how much change needs to take place in order to

truly have an impact on saving the planet in terms of keeping the warming the
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temperature of the planet from increasing too much. The necessary action was agreed

on to help set a goal that the world can work towards a goal that can help prevent the

planet from becoming too damaged.

Climate Change has already impacted the planet in a major way. Making sure

the planet is equipped to handle the changes is something that was also outlined in the

Paris Agreement and it reads “ Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of

climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions

development, in a manner that does not threaten food production; and” (United Nations

3) This clause shows us how countries are aware of the damage that has already been

caused because of climate change. It demonstrates that they are committed to adapting

how we live in alignment with the changes that climate change has caused to our

planet. The clause also shows that they are willing to make sure that the changes does

not jeopardize food production which is something that is essential to humans. This is

important as it shows you just how committed countries are to acknowledge the damage

that had been done but are willing to help combat the damage and ensure everyone

receives the necessities to survive.

Ensuring that the measures put into place to help fight climate change is a key

part of the agreements that have been made. Without countries being held accountable

and no incentives put into place there is a high likelihood that goals may not be met. A

key clause put into the Paris agreement is “Each Party shall prepare, communicate and

maintain successive nationally determined contributions that it intends to achieve.

Parties shall pursue domestic mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving the

objectives of such contributions.”(United Nations 4) This shows us how the agreement

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will keep countries honest about reaching their emission reduction targets. It is very

transparent in setting the expectation for each country on how they should be

communicating and reaching the goals set. This is important because it shows what

actions are being taken to prevent further damage of the planet from climate change

which is most important in ensuring our survival.

As countries strive to make changes on a global scale to help prevent climate

change from causing more damage. Individuals and private companies have been

doing their part in finding renewable sources of energy to help prevent the pollution of

our planet which fuels climate change. One example of what is being done to help stop

harmful emissions is “Nuclear energy’s major advantage is its reliability, with near zero

GHG emissions” (Issacs 6) This quote demonstrates how feasible nuclear energy is

going into the future and how great it is for our planet with almost zero emissions. Zero

emissions output is very important because this is one of the quickest ways to stop the

rising temperatures the planet has been experiencing. This displays a glimpse at how

Emerging technology is important because it helps prevent further damage to our earth

to be caused by emissions which will help slow down climate change.

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Fig 1. This pie graph shows the percentage of which source of energy is

responsible for the total energy output of the world. (

New energy sources becoming widely available is a hardship that may be

involved in switching the world energy sources. Many countries have begun to try to

push it out through policies that force new energy sources to become more popular. A

quote that demonstrates this is “The demand for biofuels for use in vehicles and as a

substitute for jet fuel is growing worldwide. This is due to policies primarily in the EU,

U.S., China, India and Latin America that support sustainable development goals, and

as a way of increasing shares of renewable energy” (Issacs 9) This quote is trying to

show policies being put into place by countries that incentivize the use of new

renewable sources can cause the demand of these new sources to go up thus

increasing the production. The production of these renewable resources would lead to a

reduction on the amount of money spent on nonrenewable resources This is important

to reducing climate change because as we push out new renewable resources it will
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help us reduce the use of all fossil fuels which are very big contributors to our current

emissions that are harmful to the planet.

Individuals making their day to day choices can have big implications on the

environment. One way we see people choosing not to contribute to the emissions that

are harmful to the planet and fuel climate change is in their transportation. One quote

from Foreign Nationals Perspectives About Climate Change Impacts says “The

participants expressed views about exhaust gases and suggested that there should be

fewer cars on the roads and public transport should be preferred. They added that using

bicycles should be considered more.” This is showing how people are aware of the

damage that they are causing to the environment and want to make choices that help

prevent climate change when possible. The actions of individuals which may seem

small at first, can end up having a dramatic impact if a lot of people partake in it. This is

important because it shows how actions are being taken to prevent further damage to

the earth to be caused by emissions which help eliminate climate change.

Despite all the efforts being made, some people believe it will not be enough to

prevent the downfall of our planet. The damage that has occurred has left some

believing that no matter what action is taken the planet is beyond saving. A quote from

Climate Change and International Relations: A Five-Pronged Research Agenda states

“The value of inhabitable territory—above sea level, without extreme weather, but with

access to freshwater and food—may rise. The stakes involved in geoengineering are

similarly frightening, with the prospects of zero-sum logics when states seek to

safeguard their own territories, food production, and citizens” (Sending 189) This quote

shows you what the future may hold for the world as essentials such a food and water
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become much harder to find while on land where extreme weather occurs due to

climate change. It is showing a reality where we might meet the guidelines we have set

in place to help save our planet. This is important because although we are doing lots to

slow climate change there is the possibility that we do not do enough to save the planet.

Models are a great way to predict the future especially when scientific data is

used appropriately. With some models are showing that we will not reach the emission

output targets in order to prevent climate change from getting out of hand. One quote

the captures this is “The overall target is for global emissions to be net zero by 2050.

This is consistent with the latest modelling study which shows the need to phase out the

use of fossil fuels almost immediately” (Issacs 5) This quote is significant because it

demonstrates what was necessary in order to ensure that we eliminate global emissions

to prevent climate change from getting out of hand. As mentioned it says we should

have phased out the use of fossil fuels almost immediately which is something we have

not done. This is significant because it shows you although we are acting it may not be

enough to reverse the damage that has already been caused. It is said that we should

stop trying as nothing can be done about anything. Even with the evidence supporting

that we may not be able to prevent climate change from becoming worse, majority of

the evidence supports if countries and individuals continue acting they can change the

outcome that scientist had been projecting for so long.

Despite seeing many animals, I loved as a child go extinct from human actions, I

am happy to see the action being taken by humans have helped many species go from

being on the verge of extinction to having healthy populations. I am happy to see

countries came together for the Paris Agreement. It should give the entire planet hope.
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The collective action taken has been promising. I know this will be a problem our planet

will always have to deal with as long as humans are around. It is likely no matter what

action humans continue to take to prevent and reverse climate change, the damage

done to the earth is too significant to fix but actions can be taken to prevent the planet

from becoming too damaged.

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Works Cited

Aslanova, Fidan, and Hüseyin Gökçekuş. “Foreign Nationals Perspectives about

Climate Change Impacts on the Environment.” Revista Orbis, vol. 14, no. 42,

Apr. 2019, pp. 5–14. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=137083264&site=ehost-live. Date accessed: 24

March. 2020.

Albers, Julie H. “Human Rights and Climate Change: Protecting the Right to Life of

Individuals of Present and Future Generations.” Security & Human Rights, vol. 28,

no. 1–4, Mar. 2019, pp. 113–144. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1163/18750230-02801009. Date

accessed: 24 March. 2020.

Isaacs, Eddy. “Climate Change Solutions - Sensible or Misguided?” School of Public Policy

Publications, vol. 12, no. 29, Sept. 2019, pp. 1–24. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.11575/sppp.v12i0.68112. Date accessed: 27 March, 2020

Sending, Ole Jacob, et al. “Climate Change and International Relations: A Five-Pronged

Research Agenda.” Journal of International Affairs, vol. 73, no. 1, Mar. 2020, pp. 183–

193. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=a9h&AN=141655742&site=ehost-live. Date accessed: 24 March.

2020.

UNFCC. “Paris Agreement.” UNFCCC, 2015, unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-

agreement/the-paris-agreement. Date accessed: 27 March, 2020