Climate change is affecting us now more than ever. The mass destruction of trees and emissions of heat-trapping gases are on the rise. Recently, the Australian wildfires have led to unbelievable destruction of wildlife and homes. There is an estimate of 1.25 billion animals that have been affected by the brushfires, according to WWF-Australia. Earth is experiencing a mass extinction while young activists stand up and try to incite change. Future generations will not have much left to call home if everything continues this way.
In recent times, an overwhelming amount of forests have been lost, about 502,000 square miles according to the National Geographic — an area larger than South Africa. The loss of trees has increased by high percentages. If this continues, we will not have enough trees that can absorb the atmospheric carbon dioxide that pollutes the air.
Recently, more and more people have become aware of this issue and have begun to spread awareness. Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, has been using social media to bring attention to environmental issues. According to Wired, she has shamed world leaders for misleading the public with insufficient emission-reduction pledges. She continues to hold anyone, especially people who are in positions of power, accountable for the necessary changes to global environmental policy. Thunberg asks, “How do you react to these numbers without feeling at least some level of panic?” Greta Thunberg’s passionate and earnest speeches have inspired others to join the movement.
Recently, climate change or “climate crisis” as it is now trending, has become a more prevalent issue. Yet, there are still people debating the credibility of science. We are running out of time. It is imperative that we consider how future generations will be impacted if we don’t make a change.
