Eco-Lizzie

We hear so much about climate change and global warming, but what actually causes it? There’s many contributing factors, but the main one that causes the Earth to get warmer is the greenhouse effect. This is a process that traps gases and heat in the Earth’s atmosphere to keep our planet warmer and able to sustain life. Without it, all life on Earth would die because all of the heat in our atmosphere would escape into the solar system, and our planet would turn into an icy wasteland. However, because of burning fossil fuels and other greenhouse gases, more gas has been trapped into the atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise. Since trees absorb carbon dioxide, they can help reduce the rising temperatures. Because of mass deforestation, more CO2 has entered the atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect doesn’t just affect the temperature, it also can impact other aspects of the weather. Have you wondered why there were so many natural disasters this past year? It seemed like every day the news was reporting another disaster. From hurricanes to fires to flooding, it was never-ending. Because more gas is released into the atmosphere, it can become fuel for more powerful storms. More heat can cause warmer ocean temperatures, which increases wind speed. Higher wind speed can cause hurricanes and tornadoes to form. Higher temperatures can lead to drier weather, which causes wildfires. All of these factors can be traced back to the greenhouse effect.

• One thing you can do to reduce the greenhouse effect today: Are you traveling to a nearby location? Try to walk or bike there instead of driving. It’s not only good for your physical and mental health, but it can help reduce gas emissions!