The Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency describes climate change as, “ a significant change in the earth climate.” (Environmental Protection Agency, 2016)  Because of the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas humans have created a problem by adding carbon dioxide into the ozone speeding up climate change and wreaking havoc on the planet. Some of the most drastic environmental changes driven by climate change would be more powerful storms. Such as the ones we have witnessed this past hurricane season. Powerful storms like Hurricane Harvey which devastated Houston, Tx and Hurricane Irma in Florida. As warmer temperatures reported, these storms draw on the heat to gain size, and strength and devastate communities. On the other side of the spectrum, we have droughts that can occur because of these warmer temperatures. The EPA reports, “from 2000 through 2015, roughly 20 to 70 percent of the U.S. land area experienced conditions that were at least abnormally dry at any given time.” (Environmental Protection Agency, 2016) These changes can lead to less food production and created shortages over time. Because of climate change communities are also reporting abnormally high temperatures and heatwaves.

There are ways in which individuals, business and the government can attempt to adapt and mitigate the effect of global warming. One of the things mentioned in Seizing the Global Opportunity: Partnerships for Better Growth and a Better Climate was to, “accelerate low-carbon development in the world’s cities. Raising energy efficiency standards to the global best” (The Global Commisson on the Economy and Climate, 2015, pp. 4-5), By increasing development, there is lower air pollution ultimately slowing global warming. 

References

Environmental Protection Agency. (2016, August 2). Climate Change Indicators: Weather and Climate. Retrieved from the United States Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/weather-climate

The Global Commisson on the Economy and Climate. (2015). Seizing the global opportunity partnerships for the better growth and a better climate. New Climate Economy Report.