While the Planet Burns
Centuries ago, our ancestors were fascinated with the heavens and the stars above while dealing with storms, floods, heat, cold, earthquakes, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes below.
Thanks to technological advances, if our ancestors were transported to today, they might be even more fascinated to see how mankind has proven the connections of above and below and find the experience of this version of human evolution as something quite foreign when compared to humanity as they knew it.
The ancestors might be wary of the vast changes that have occurred over the years, yet be convinced by technology and the data collected that not only is this version of life on planet Earth warmer but in reading the facts, the planet is heating up at a record pace, and to a great degree, we, the offspring, are the culprits that are partly to blame for this disruptive phenomenon.
Recent heat waves around the globe have registered temperatures not documented in the existence of human life, until now. The polar ice shelves are melting faster than expected, and the rise of ocean sea levels has caused some scientists to designate some areas as being close to uninhabitable. (https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/climate-change/which-islands-will-become-uninhabitable-due-to-climate-change-first}
Miami, during King Tides which happen once or twice a year, has to deal with sea water flooding the streets in certain low lying areas on a sunny day, no rain or storm surge in sight. (https://www.miami.gov/My-Government/ClimateChange/King-Tides)
Incidents, such as are occurring in Miami and other low-lying coastal areas, have scientists and oceanographers ringing the alarm bells and shouting that we must change our lifestyle and habits that rely on carbon based fuel, among other things. {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-14303-w)
As predicted, and right on cue, storms are becoming more intense, with added frequency and on a much larger scale with increased damage incurred. These consequences place great economic burden on those communities around the globe that find themselves unable to administer long-term fixes.
The question has become how do we manage this environmental onslaught in time to save the planet from the tipping point of rendering the only home we know uninhabitable?
One solution that is in the forefront is to encourage automakers to build electric vehicles. Another is that the driving public can refuse to purchase the gas guzzlers we have come to depend on and love to drive.
Note: from https://climatekids.nasa.gov/climate-change-evidence/
Extra greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are the main reason that Earth is getting warmer. It's normal for there to be some greenhouse gases in our atmosphere as these gases help keep Earth a warm enough place for human beings and other living things to exist. However, too much greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, trap the Sun's heat in Earth's atmosphere, thereby causing higher temperatures on Earth's surface, i.e., global warming.
Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil increase the amount of CO2 in our air during the burning process when carbon combines with oxygen in the air to make CO2. It's important that we continue to monitor CO2 levels to stay ahead of this ongoing crisis. To assist with this process, there are several NASA missions that have instruments that study CO2 in the atmosphere.
Although we cannot take Earth's temperature directly, data is available from weather stations, ocean buoys and remote sensing instruments that allow us to document changes in climate. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
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