Although we often think of human-induced climate change as a future event, yet it is an ongoing process. Today, ecosystems and communities in both the United States and around the world are being affected.
Global temperatures increased by about 1.98 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 °C) between 1901 and 2020, but climate change indicates more than just rising temperatures. It also includes sea level rise, changes in weather patterns such as droughts and floods, and much more. The things we have learned to depend on and value—water, energy, wildlife, agriculture, ecosystems, and human health—will suffer from the effects of a changing climate.
The effects of climate change on different sectors of society are interconnected. Drought can harm food production and human health. Flooding can cause the spread of disease and eventually damage ecosystems and infrastructure. Human health problems can increase mortality, affect food availability, and then limit worker productivity. The effects of climate change can be seen everywhere in the world where we live. However, the effects of climate change are uneven across the country and the world. Even within a single community, the effects of climate change can vary between neighborhoods or individuals. Long-term socioeconomic inequality can make underserved groups more vulnerable, who are often most exposed to threats and unfortunately have the fewest resources to respond.
Projections of the future impact of climate change are not inevitable. Many offsite link problems and solutions are now known, and ongoing research is constantly adding new ones. Experts believe that there is still time to avoid the most negative consequences by limiting global warming and reducing emissions to zero as soon as possible. Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions requires investment in modern technology and infrastructure that will increase job growth. In addition, reducing emissions reduces adverse effects on human health, saving countless lives and billions of dollars in health care costs.
Overall, this issue is much more serious and personal than many think, and it is critical to educate others on it as it affects many parts of society.
