Since the dawn of the 1800s, we have been living through the causes of human pollution in the form of carbon dioxide, leading to effects on our ecosystems and global temperature. From then on, we have put in place promises to counteract the effects, but we haven’t put those words into action, and we need to act quick before it’s too late.

We need to step forward with advancements in technology and to steer away from the use of fossil fuels and non-renewable resources that harm the earth causing an excess in pollution. The population of the world emits 2.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the air every second which would be 84 trillion pounds or 32.5 billion metric tons a year, damaging the atmosphere and ozone layer.

According to NASA over 1,300 (or 97% of climate change scientists) predict that temperatures globally will rise by 10 degrees Fahrenheit in the next century unless action is taken. Even though this might not seem like a radical change in temperature, it will destroy natural habitats and ecosystems. This will be a mass extinction of many organisms and life on earth.

Animals and insects are being forced out of their habitats having to find new homes and often dying from the heat and survivability of their unsuitable habitats. For example, polar bears in the arctic have to migrate inland because of the melting icebergs, narrowing their habitats. The most important thing that we have to notice is that if one species is taken away from the ecosystem, then the whole chain will break down and continue out of order.

The melting of icebergs in the arctic will raise the sea level by 5 meters or 16 feet, causing flooding of sea neighboring cities and towns. Over 800 million people worldwide will have to evacuate coastal cities due to flooding causing $1 trillion in damages, with $19 billion in New York alone.

Major hurricanes have already taken their toll causing mass casualties and damage, with Cyclone Marian taking 140,000 lives and Cyclone Sidr flattening 565,000 homes. This is all because of the effects of our C02 emissions, and the globally fluctuating temperatures. According to National Geographic, the number of worldwide catastrophic events has gone up from 291 in 1980 to 904 in 2014.

Because of rising temperatures, harsh weather will impact the population of the globe catastrophically. Global warming will cause the prolong of droughts, destroying agriculture and impacting global  conomies due to the drop-in resources and goods.  It will also prolong heat waves with temperatures over 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, coastal cities will be further bombarded with tropical storms damaging infrastructure and economies. In some parts of the world winters will be shortened and enact more severe blizzards and accidents because of road conditions.

The effects of climate on the earth can never be reversed but they can be slowed down with the change from fossil fuels to electric, and the planting of the biggest pollution fighter, trees. Many people see trees as the frontline soldiers to fighting climate change, as they can help remove C02 from the air. Not only can they help C02 emissions, but they provide habitats for many species of animals. One tree can provide a home for over 500 species; this provides for them food, safety, and shelter. Without these trees, not only will humanity suffer from high seas and rising temperatures, but animals will also become extinct.

Planting more trees can have a major impact on the population and combat C02. Studies show that cities with more trees can lower crime rates as it helps with mental rejuvenation and peace of mind. Trees can also lower the temperature of a neighborhood by 11 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit because of their ability to deflect beams of sun and produce moisture, cooling down the air. This also helps with energy consumption, as there will be a lower need for air conditioning because of the lower temperatures in the scorching heat of the summer. Trees can also prevent erosion from flooding and natural disasters as the roots keep the soil together. They can absorb C02 from their leaves through photosynthesis and produce oxygen for humans to breathe, causing one tree to filter out 48 pounds of C02 a year, according to Wikipedia.

Many scientists have pursued geoengineering to find ways to extract C02 from the air and slow down  climate change and mitigate the effects. They hope to cut down on greenhouse gasses and switch to more renewable resources, as an act of climate restoration. The main ways they plan to accomplish this is the planting of trees and the deflecting of UV rays that heat the C02 particles causing a rise in temperatures concluding the chemical reaction. Because the sun rays are unable to leave the atmosphere the earth will continue to heat up.

All these programs by lead scientists and engineers are taking up this challenge to slow the progression of climate change but the one generation of the population that can stand up to this the most is the youth of the world. In the end, it won’t be the adults that save the world; it will be the youth, as they have the power and voice to make a difference and be the change. Every student, child or kid reading this, I just have one thing to say… stand up and fight for your planet.