CAN'T BUY CLEAN AIR CAUSE THERE'S METHANE UP THERE The inevitable thinker vs. reality on climate change By Arianna Leuer

As an individual, it is nearly impossible to make a difference so large and effective that it could result in changing the future for everyone. The fact of the matter is that global warming and climate change is inevitable. It has been from the very beginning.

So really there’ s no point in preserving the only planet that can sustain life, right? Right. In agreeance to most, it's an undeniable fact that humans have increased the rate at which the earth changes, but it's not entirely their fault.

Take into consideration that there are natural causes, both internally and externally that influence climate change as well. For instance, there is an internal process called Thermohaline Circulation. This consists of “the large-scale ocean circulation that is driven by global density of gradients created by surface heat and freshwater fluxes”. In other words, this is the process of deep ocean currents being driven by a difference in the water’ s density; therefore, there's not much that could have been done to prevent this. It's a natural cause. Just like earthquakes or tornadoes, it can be prepared for but not entirely prevented.

Still not up for believing me? Another example, this time an external cause that naturally happens has to do with additional heat. Just like a natural disaster such as an earthquake, it's unavoidable to prevent a volcanic eruption. Sometimes it's even difficult for scientists to predict an occurrence such as this. If it’ s not yet convincing enough, think about the sun. Have you ever visited it? No? I’ m not surprised, nobody has.

My guess would be that it is just too hot to handle up there. Not to mention that the output of the sun’ s energy changes. Meaning that every eleven years the sun goes through one solar cycle. In just one rotation, the sun goes through changes like a fluctuation in solar radiation which affects the amount of material it ejects into space as well as a variety of new sunspots and solar flares that form. This then causes changes in the Earth’ s atmosphere. Further explained, this is an example of natural climate change, in which case it wasn't caused by human production.

The world is bound to end, eventually. Evidently, nothing is known to last forever and at this rate, life on Earth seems to be headed downhill like it has been for several decades. As ice from Earth’ s poles continues to melt, sea levels rise, species of animals starve, habitats begin to suffer, and the atmosphere progressively gets warmer, the ability to preserve life becomes more difficult. So, why waste time trying to save something that has already been lost?

humans have increased the rate at which the earth changes, but it's not entirely their fault.

Though environmentalists have become worried about what will happen to earth and its inhabitants in the near future, it's just one person who thinks not to help save the planet, saying that it doesn't matter if they throw their cup on the ground, toss recyclable materials away rather than just simply recycling them, or even spitting out gum on the sidewalk when there’ s a garbage can ten feet away. Truly, it does not seem like a huge deal, but from someone who wants to enjoy living in such a luminous place, it actually does matter.

While it's true that factors like the variations in solar activity affect climate change, human interaction increasing green-house gases and such is more concerning because it has a larger tribute to climate change. This means that the statement, humans do increase the rate of climate change is true.

Talk about global warming and climate change has been relevant for quite some time now.

So, for every one person saying that it does not matter, it takes an immense toll on the ability to preserve the planet. At the end of the day, it's not just one person who has this mindset, in fact, it's the vast majority of people that do not seem to care. Personally, I think that is what most fail to consider. If one person thinks that way, what makes people think others don’ t have the same mindset? Whether you think it is cliche to say or not, it's important to reduce the amount of trash and toxins being released. It's important to save the planet before it's too late.

Human interaction is the prominent cause of changes in the climate. So, let me ask you

something.

When images and videos are showcased on social media to bring awareness to the problem, does it really catch your attention? Does it ever scare you a little or disturb your stomach at the thought of what life could end up like if nothing is done now? If it really caught your attention, how come you resisted changes in your lifestyle? Is it because you are not fully educated and aware of the situation or may it be due to the reason that it is talked about too much, to the point where it just annoys you? Either way, instead of avoiding it, just be a part of the

CREDIT PHOTO COURTESY NASA.GOV

because you know what annoys me? When I see all of the disrespectful people throw their trash out of the car window, leave fast food bags in parking lots, or even toss it all in a ditch. Have some pride and respect for not only the environment, but yourself. Be better than that.

Do better than that.

There are always two sides to every scenario. In this situation, you could either be the person who contributes to reducing the number of toxins being released or you could be the one who resorts to the fact that the world will end anyways. Ultimately, it's your decision, and it's also your future you are deciding for. So, keep in mind what you are leaving in store for later.

I cannot take away the freedom for you to form your own opinion, nor force you to act a certain way because I think it'd more correct, but here is my opinion. Next time you decide to chew a piece of gum, throw it in the trash. Not only is it bad for animals and the planet, but it's also mad annoying, especially when it ends up on the bottom of someone’ s shoe. I think we can all agree on one thing, and that is the fact that nobody likes your gooey, saliva filled, ball of chewed up gum stuck to the bottom of their shoe.