Editorial:

With 2016 being adorned the title “hottest year on record,” climate change has become a serious issue facing the human race today.  Due to rising levels of carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, temperatures are rising across the globe at a consistent rate.  There is overwhelming scientific evidence regarding this matter, according to NASA.

“Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities, and most of the leading scientific organizations worldwide have issued public statements endorsing this position,” their website read.

Climate change has been in the political forefront in recent news, especially with the denial of the facts by President Donald Trump.  During his campaign, he revealed his belief that climate change was a hoax created by the Chinese that damaged American businesses.

A post went viral last week from the Badlands National Park official twitter feed when they began bringing up the facts of climate change.  According to a CNN article, the tweets remained active for a few hours before they were deleted.

“Today, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is higher than at any time in the last 650,000 years. #climate,” one of the tweets read.

The National Park Service later tweeted an apology following the Trump administration’s request to stop tweeting for a period of time.  The most alarming part of this current denial of our government leaders is their tremendous control to impact global warming negatively.  

President Trump is pushing through policies that object those currently put in place for the protection of our national resources.  As the current presiding administration, Trump already has his eye on rolling back these protective acts and resources in favor of a more economic and business-centered approach.

Many Americans still remain vigilant about spreading the truth of climate change and support taking steps to reverse it.  Students across the country generated support for advocates for climate change awareness, like the political organization NextGen Climate.

The organization’s mission statement reads: “ NextGen Climate acts politically to prevent climate disaster and promote prosperity for every American.”

“Climate Change is My Candidate” buttons have become a familiar site across liberal college campuses in a politically-heated America over the past few months.   Younger people have stepped up in social media and in protests to declare the importance of addressing human’s harmful contact with the environment.

Scientists predict that temperatures will continue to rise at alarming rates in the future.  President Trump’s avoidance of the fact that climate change is a serious issue could have remarkable consequences for not only America, but for the rest of the world.

Records continue to indicate that arctic ice is melting rapidly and oceans are rising and acidifying, creating disastrous impacts for coastal communities and aquatic life.  Data trends predict more threatening weather patterns across the globe as well as increased rainfall.

As a young, educated women who finds comfort in the beauty and importance of nature’s sights and resources, I am fearful of what the future may hold for those who engage in the fight for truth to save planet Earth, our only home.  Though current conversations in regards to fighting climate change seem bleak, it is through knowledge, research, peaceful protests and truthful journalism that this battle can be achieved.

To read more about climate change and impacts visit these websites:

http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

https://nextgenclimate.org/  

Sources:

Diaz, D. (2017, January 24). Badlands National Park deletes tweets on climate change. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/24/politics/badlands-tweets-climate-change/index.html

Patel, J. (2017, January 18). How 2016 Became Earth’s Hottest Year on Record. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/18/science/earth/2016-hottest-year-onrecord.htmlrref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FGlobal%20Warming&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=collection&_r=0

Weise, E. (2017, January 24). Badlands National Park goes on a climate change tweetstorm. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/01/24/badlands-national-park-goes-climate-change-tweetstorm/97012542/