By Jacob Key '20
Over the last several years, the effects of climate change have continued to snowball. It’s hard to notice the changes that have been occurring because it happens gradually on such a vast scale. Climate change is causing sinking land formations, increasing water temperatures, and melting ice caps. Thankfully, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been capturing images of the Earth from space for decades. According to CNN, “With these images compared over time, the public can see the toll that the warming of the Earth is taking on the planet.”
Research shows that there is a lot that society is doing to provoke climate change to become more and more extreme. Driving to school and leaving house lights on are contributing factors to climate change. In the article “10 Human Causes of Global Warming for 2019”, Douglas Lober states that the foremost cause of climate change is pollution produced by transportation. Transportation is a significant driver of climate change because of the CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. According to Lober’s graph below, seventy-six percent of transit pollution is caused just by driving alone. Lober’s graph also shows that fewer people take public transportation than biking to school or work. Although cycling is ranked second for transportation, this is one more step to reducing CO2 emissions.
Research also shows that many are concerned about climate change and want to find ways to reduce and use energy more efficiently. The David Suzuki Foundation provides many alternatives that could help remediate some of the damage, and in the long run, save the world. Their work is directed towards “conserving and protecting the natural environment.” Going green in one’s community and using energy wisely are just two simple and easy actions that can be done to help decrease climate change. Minute things such as washing clothes in warm or cold water instead of hot water is a change and one more step in the right direction.
At Dunellen High School, new improvements have taken place to make the school more green, which is one more step to reducing climate change. Some of the latest advancements are the motion-sensor faucets and automatic flushing toilets in the bathrooms, and motion sensor lights. These are some of the main additions that have been installed here at DHS to make the school active in being green and also to be a role model for others that are looking to become green to help with reducing climate change. Another change that has taken place is that hand-dryers have replaced paper towel dispensers. All of these small changes that have taken place in the school are ways that can positively impact the world and make Earth more healthy.
The effects of climate change are continuing to snowball. According to the David Suzuki Foundation, if it continues to grow at this rate, it will eventually be too late to start taking action.
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