The Continuous Climate Change Clash Essay Example

the US Chamber of Commerce, and fossil fuel companies have been identified as significant contributors to climate change. While these groups do not directly release carbon into the atmosphere like corporations do, they collaborate with them and hinder efforts to address climate change. For instance, Exxon Mobil financially supported think tanks and research that aimed to promote skepticism towards climate change in order to undermine scientific evidence. Consequently, they influenced pro-business Republicans to oppose measures that would reduce emissions ("How Climate Change Became a Political Issue" Worland). Additionally, ExxonMobil attempted to persuade a Texas judge to allow the disposal of lawyers and officials who were suing the company for their involvement in causing climate change-related disasters (Mark, 17).

Despite their profit-driven focus, businesses have a tendency to evade accountability for climate change. Nevertheless, fossil fuel companies cannot be exempted from the blame for their considerable impact on global warming, rendering them responsible for their actions. The uncertainty surrounding the root causes of climate change can mostly be attributed to corporations and politicians hesitating to acknowledge their role in it. This reluctance originates from the potential repercussions such as reduced trust, increased division, and heightened anxiety. Climate change presents a significant danger to millions of individuals, instilling fear.

The term "eco-anxiety" refers to the fear caused by climate change, which can lead to loss of appetite, insomnia, and panic attacks (Gifford 292). As climate change progresses, children are particularly vulnerable. Those who have experienced climate change-related disasters often develop PTSD, putting them at risk for anxiety and depression. For example, nearly 40% of Hurricane Katrina victims showed symptoms of PTSD (Gifford 293). Additionally, children are more prone to

inhaling polluted air due to their faster breathing rate and increased outdoor activities. This can worsen respiratory conditions (Gifford 293). The mental and physical toll caused by climate change should not be ignored. However, the ongoing debate surrounding climate change hinders efforts to mitigate its effects, leading to an escalation of the threats it poses.

As temperatures rise due to climate change, the risk of vector-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease increases. This is because climate change leads to higher humidity and warmer waters, allowing mosquitoes to spread to new areas (Patel 94). Additionally, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014 may have been worsened by climate change and increasing rates of urbanization (Patel 94). It is estimated that by 2050, two-thirds of the global population will reside in cities. Consequently, as urbanization continues, individuals living in these areas face a greater threat from climate-related disasters (Patel 94). Furthermore, urban environments with higher population densities would result in a larger impact on individuals if natural disasters occur within cities.

Moreover, the elevation in carbon dioxide levels and sea levels has the potential to diminish the nutrient content of foods, causing tiredness and despondency (Gifford 293). This can consequently result in food insecurity and the migration of individuals from their native countries due to inadequate water and food supplies. Hence, a growing concern is the emergence of climate refugees, which could lead to heightened economic tensions among host nations as well as conflicts over water and food resources (Patel 94). It is crucial not to overlook the impacts of climate change on communities considering these numerous threats. While climate change presents significant challenges,

it would be inappropriate to disregard the millions of people who have already experienced its consequences.

Climate change has had detrimental impacts on various regions in the United States. Baltimore, for example, faced two unusual storms in a short period of time. Colorado experienced devastating floods and wildfires. The shellfish industry in Washington was negatively affected by warmer waters. In Mississippi, higher humidity caused an increase in mosquito populations. As temperatures continue to rise, Montana's crop industry, Maine's lobster industry, and Hawaii's tourism industry will all be impacted by drier summers and warmer waters.

Regardless of location, be it a desert or near the ocean, climate change poses a global threat that may not always be immediately evident. Nevertheless, its ramifications will inevitably affect every individual. According to the National Wildlife Federation, around 200 million Americans (about two-thirds of the American population) are projected to suffer emotional distress as a result of climate change (Gifford 292). Hence, even those we know personally are likely to experience the impacts of these changes.

Furthermore, the national government's National Flood Insurance Program is in debt of more than $20 billion (Worland, 19), and American taxpayers are responsible for funding this program and resolving the debt. In addition, as future natural disasters and climate change repercussions approach, there will be a greater need for financial resources to mitigate damages. Ultimately, these funds will come from taxes paid by Americans. Therefore, it is vital that individuals understand the impact of climate change on food supply to ensure access to sustenance. Moreover, those who have friends or relatives living near bodies of water should be aware of the threat posed by rising sea levels

due to increasing temperatures. To avoid a significant tax increase in the next five decades, it is essential to recognize the current climate change crisis and personally take action to address this global issue.

If one is concerned about the well-being of the Earth, then one must also be concerned about climate change.

Works Cited

1. Cox, Patty, and Kevin Hayes. “50 STATES, 50 STORIES: Investigating Climate Change One State at a Time.” IRE Journal, vol. 41, no. 2, 2018 2nd Quarter 2018, pp. 22–25. EBSCOhost, login.ezp.mesacc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true;db=aph;AN=130667434;site=ehost-live.

2. Gifford, Eva, and Robert Gifford. “The Largely Unacknowledged Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, vol. 72, no. 5 Sept.

2016, pp. 292–297. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/00963402.2016.1216505.

The text below discusses the challenges of climate change and urbanization on global security and stability. The source is a journal article titled "Climate Change and Urbanization: Challenges to Global Security and Stability" by Ronak B. Patel and David P. Palotty IV from JFQ: Joint Force Quarterly. It was published on 7th September 2018 and can be accessed through EBSCOhost using the following URL: login.ezp.mesacc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true;db=aph;AN=131488360;site=ehost-live.

Worland, Justin. “How Climate Change Became a Political Issue.” Time, vol. 190, no. 6, Aug., pp. 93–98. EBSCOhost, login.ezp.mesacc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true;db=aph;AN=129312357;site=ehost-live.

The citation for the article "Paying for Climate Change" by Justin Worland, published in Time magazine, is from 2017 on page 25. It was accessed through EBSCOhost at login.ezp.mesacc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true;db=aph;AN=124331514;site=ehost-live.The source of the text can be accessed through the URL login.ezp.mesacc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true;db=aph;AN=131264935;site=ehost-live. It was published in 2018 and

is located on pages 19-20.