Changes

The climate of the planet we call home is changing. The climate has been changing ever since the earth formed. However, this period of climate change is different. Due to the fact that humans have been burning fossil fuels at a rapid rate, the levels of, amongst other pollutants, CO2 has increased drastically since the industrial revolution. A large majority (around 97%) of climate scientists agree that global warming is due to human actions. There is a small minority of politicians and other public figures who deny climate change, some going so far as to say climate change is not occurring at all.

Stopping the detrimental effects of human-caused climate change is essential for the very existence of humankind and the planet as a whole. The inhabitants of low-lying countries (e.g. Bangladesh, Vietnam and The Netherlands) have to live with the ever increasing danger of the rising seas. But not only low-lying countries face the imminent threat of climate change. Climate change results in droughts, extreme weather and lower crop yields, all due to the ever-increasing burning of fossil fuels and emission of pollutants by humans. It is essential to maintain the liveability of our planet, for humans and the many vulnerable species of animals and plants that provide the basis of ecosystems and our agriculture. The consistent increase of greenhouse gas emission can only be stopped by human intervention, utilising legislation and international treaties in order to reach various goals concerning global warming. The very livelihood of all that inhabits our planet is at stake, making this issue very impending and pressing to solve on an international basis.