Global warming is affecting the earth and has been a problem for way too long. Climate change is mainly caused by burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and pollution. We need to help fix it locally, here in Petaluma.
What is global warming? It’s the sustained, rapid increase in Earth’s average surface temperature. According to Ian Sample, science editor of The Guardian, “Continents and oceans in the northern hemisphere began to warm with industrial-era fossil fuel emissions nearly 200 years ago, pushing back the origins of human-induced climate change to the mid-19th century.” Ever since, the problem has only been getting worse.
The leading cause of global warming is transportation. Many people use cars everyday with approximately 245 to 255 million licensed drivers driving at least occasionally but most every single day. So how can we help stop it right here in Petaluma?
Global warming is not only affecting our city, it’s affecting our whole world, and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t do anything. It shows itself to us with increased risks of severe flooding from sea-levels rising, intensified drought conditions, and heightened wildfire dangers in Petaluma. Soon, it could lead to severe health problems, such as increased cardiovascular/respiratory diseases, worsened air quality, and the spread of vector-borne illnesses like Lyme and Zika. UConn Today reports that “If greenhouse gas emissions are managed in accordance with the Paris Agreement, nearly 1 in 50 species worldwide — an estimated 180,000 species — will be at risk of extinction by 2100.” None of this is good news, and if we don’t take action now, the problem is going to keep getting worse.
There are many ways we Petalumans can help fight global warming. Install heat pumps and upgrade to electric appliances. Don’t use the car as much use your bike or walk. Watch where you’re putting your waste and use less. Compost food scraps! Participate in local and circular economy efforts. Use city-provided water-saving and energy-efficient programs to lower your carbon footprint. Another way to help is if you see trash on the ground, pick it up, and place it in the appropriate bin. According to City of Petaluma General Pan, Petaluma’s goal is to neutralize the carbon by 2030 by switching to 100% renewable energy. We can all just take the extra step to create a better world.
Stopping global warming is a crucial act which can start here in Petaluma. We can help regulate the rise in global temperatures within a few years. Heat waves and floods will still remain but they will not escalate dramatically. Although the earth will not completely return to its normal state, changing our habits will still prevent the worsening of our earth for the future. Casa Grande 9th grader Charley Standford said, “I will use less gas to help global warming stop.” This will take some time — which steps will you take?
