Global Warming: The Boiling Earth

Global Warming: The Earth Is Getting Hotter By Each Passing Day

The issue of global warming and its impacts on weather patterns around the world has become increasingly important in recent years. Global warming is causing an increase in extreme weather events around the world. As the planet continues to warm due to increased levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, weather patterns are becoming more extreme and volatile.

The United States has witnessed many examples of this in recent years. There have been more frequent and severe storms, floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. These trends are projected to continue as the planet continues to warm. The United States experienced 16 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in the first half of 2021 alone, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This included major winter storms, flooding, tornado outbreaks, and a devastating hurricane. The previous record for weather disasters in a year was 16 in 2011 and 2020.

Heatwaves are becoming more common and severe. The Pacific Northwest experienced an unprecedented heatwave in June 2021 that shattered temperature records and resulted in hundreds of deaths. The contiguous U.S also set a record for the most daily high temperature records broken in June 2021.  Wildfires have been burning larger areas with each passing year. In 2020, wildfires burned over 10 million acres in the western U.S  the most on record. The fires caused at least 43 deaths and destroyed thousands of structures.

Sea levels are rising along coastlines due to melting ice sheets and glaciers and the expansion of warming ocean water. This increases the risk of coastal flooding, erosion, and property damage from storms and high tides. The rate of global sea level rise has doubled since 1993.

Changes in precipitation patterns are also being driven by global warming. Many parts of America, particularly the West and South, are seeing longer and more severe droughts. Meanwhile, other areas like the Midwest and Northeast are experiencing more instances of extreme rainfall and flooding. The changing precipitation patterns are disrupting water access for agriculture, impacting crop yields. Many regions are seeing more instances of both record high and record low temperatures as climate change disrupts typical seasonal variations. For example, the U.S Southwest has experienced more frequent and severe heat waves in recent years, with temperatures regularly exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

The examples above demonstrate that global warming is already having a profound impact on weather patterns and the subsequent costs to society. As global temperatures continue to increase, these impacts will only become more severe and widespread unless significant action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit additional global warming to less than 1.  degrees Celsius. The sooner the world takes concerted action to curb climate change, the less severe the impacts will be on America.

The climate crisis requires global action and cooperation. The United States, as one of the largest emitters historically, has a responsibility to lead the way by implementing ambitious policies that transition our economy away from fossil fuels towards cleaner sources of energy. Governments and businesses are urged to take urgent steps to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. Communities must also improve disaster preparedness and adaptation planning to minimize the damage from these weather disasters.

With determined action, the worst effects of global warming may be avoided and future generations spared from the most devastating consequences of a rapidly changing climate.