Climate Change Puts Human Habitat at Risk
Posted by Kelly Smith on Wed, May 26, 2010
A report last week from the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences takes the worst-case scenario for climate change to paint a rather gloomy picture: if average global temperatures rise 21 degrees, then half of the world's people will need to find a new place to live. In addition to
extreme weather, stressed agriculture, various
health problems, rising sea levels, and the like, there may reach a time in the next 300 years when much of the planet is just too hot for human habitation.
The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that average global temperatures will rise about 7 degrees by the year 2100 if we don't clean up our act. At temperatures of 12 degrees above the current average, heat stress may become a serious problem. Humans will be too hot at those temperatures even if they are standing naked in the shade, drenched in cold water and being blown on by a fan.
This is a frightening prospect, especially since the year 2100 is within the scope of our children's lifetimes. The negative effects of fossil fuel usage, such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the recent coal mining disasters, have gotten a lot of press lately. Predictions of the stress of climate change on human life make change even more urgent.
Fortunately, it is not too late to make a difference. We can work together with our children and our communities to create a brighter future for us all. There are easy ways to reduce our carbon footprints at home and at work. We can turn off and unplug electronic devices that we are not using. We can purchase green power. We can shop at sustainable businesses and research green investments. We can drive less and bike more. We can recycle. We can be sure to only run full loads in the washing machine or the dishwasher. We can adjust the thermostat a few degrees. We can dress appropriately for the weather. We can eat seasonal produce. As we make these lifestyle changes, we need to keep a positive attitude and work together.