00:00There are lots of scary things in life, but nothing scarier than misinformation,
00:05especially when it comes to climate change.
00:08Now more than ever, climate change is a part of our public discourse
00:11and will play a significant role in the 2020 presidential election.
00:14But just what exactly is it? And why should it matter to me?
00:19Well, I'm glad you asked. According to the National Geographic,
00:23climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and normal weather patterns.
00:27But since the mid-20th century, both humans and technology alike have made it all a lot worse.
00:33But how? Well, cue another phrase you may be very familiar with, global warming.
00:38Global warming is the process of the Earth's temperature rising due to the greenhouse effect.
00:43Climate change is the Earth getting warmer.
00:46Well, it's mainly the warming of the atmosphere and that causes extreme changes in climate.
00:53We as the human race have put so much carbon dioxide and other anthropogenic
00:59greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that it's causing the planet to warm.
01:03So we the people, yes, that's all of us in some way or another,
01:07have made the Earth's atmosphere thick with greenhouse gases that trap in the sun's heat.
01:13Think carbon dioxide and methane. This is known as the greenhouse effect.
01:17You know, like that greenhouse place your grandma grew all her tomatoes. It was always so, so hot in there.
01:23It's this effect that makes the Earth much, much warmer.
01:26And this all explains why we're experiencing longer, sweatier, blazing hot summers and finger-freezing cold winters.
01:34And why melting glaciers may force cute, cuddly polar bears out of their homes.
01:38And why rising sea levels mean islands in the Pacific are disappearing.
01:42And why there will be longer, more catastrophic hurricane seasons. And do I even really have to go on?
01:49Oh yeah, but there's one more thing. Annual average temperatures across the U.S. have risen by 1.8 degrees
01:54Fahrenheit since the beginning of the 20th century.
01:57And they're going to continue to rise. And as if all of that's not frightening enough,
02:02a think tank in Australia caused much chatter and alarm when it released a 2019 report describing climate change as
02:08a near-to-midterm existential threat to human civilization.
02:12Basically saying that if we don't address this issue ASAP, then we're in danger.
02:16Like real, live danger of the world basically overheating by 2050.
02:20I mean, what do you think would happen if we don't fix climate change?
02:24Well, already right now, a lot of people are already feeling the effects of climate change.
02:28In Florida, there is already flooding. There's already people that have been forced out of their home.
02:33And I also think we're going to lose a lot of the species that we know and love.
02:37The coral reefs aren't going to be able to survive once the ocean reaches a certain temperature.
02:41And that will probably happen soon.
02:43But don't despair, Jess, yet. Let's dig in deeper.
02:47Who and what is causing climate change?
02:49You've probably heard about our dependence on fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas,
02:54that all contribute to the greenhouse effect.
02:56But what's this you hear about cows and, um, farting?
03:00Yeah, you heard me, right?
03:02Not only do cows and other two-toned livestock produce methane,
03:05but it turns out that these farts trap more heat and energy than carbon dioxide.
03:10Stop that stakeholder now!
03:12Okay, so I know that's a lot to process, but all hope is not lost.
03:17According to a report released by the United Nations in 2014,
03:20there's a 95% chance that humans have a direct impact on climate change.
03:25But hold up, is that a good thing or is that a bad thing?
03:27Well, since I'm a glass half full kind of woman,
03:30it seems to me that we humans still have a chance to do something about this crisis.
03:34And that's just what people like Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, and super smart climatologists propose.
03:40I know what you're thinking.
03:41Aren't there people out there who just don't believe in climate change?
03:44Indeed there are.
03:46But the fact is, the U.S. is the second worst emitter of carbon dioxide in the world.
03:51While most Americans agree climate change is real,
03:54its impact has sparked heated debate.
03:57Unintended.
03:58Mostly over how much of an impact humans really have.
04:01Even if you don't subscribe to the idea that if climate change isn't addressed soon,
04:05humanity will be threatened, there's scientific evidence to support the notion that we will
04:10experience its devastating effects.
04:12Extreme temperatures and drought are causing migrant populations to swell,
04:17and some communities to lose stable access to food and water.
04:21Yeah, just got real.
04:23Here are a few other suggestions of things we can all do.
04:27The first, recycle.
04:29At home and out in public.
04:31If you're unsure about what goes where, don't worry, I get confused all the time too.
04:35And you can reference the link at the bottom of this video for some really helpful tips.
04:40Second, consider your food options.
04:42Eat locally and seasonally.
04:44Basically, choose foods that have a low carbon footprint.
04:47The more food is flowing around the world on big cargo planes,
04:50the bigger the carbon footprint.
04:52Farmers markets, my friends, are the future.
04:55Third, consider your transportation options.
04:57Take the public bus, or a train, buy a hybrid or electric car,
05:01carpool, ride a bike, or just simply take a walk.
05:05Fourth, support sustainable brands and substitute single-use products for reusable ones,
05:10like taking your own bags to the market.
05:13And lastly, thrift that wardrobe.
05:16In short, reduce consumption.
05:18Buy less.
05:19The less we use, the less we leave behind.
05:22And these are just a few ways that we can all make a difference.
05:25After all, the Earth is our only home.
05:27So while we're here, let's try to make love, not emissions.
05:31I'm Brooke Hinton.
05:32For more Truth Toad, visit the URL here.
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05:45And to subscribe to Refinery29, click here.
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