Sustainability: Climate Change

Global warming is no longer a distant issue, but rather a crisis now. The sooner we address it, the better it is for our future. The most alarming fact is that most of us are not aware of the concerning effects of climate change. Downplaying global warming poses many dangers to society; without an adequate response to these dangers, our world is on course for permanent damage. Today, we’re facing unprecedented challenges of climate change, with around 97% of scientists over the last decade emphasizing its urgency as a top priority. Despite this consensus, a 2024 University of Michigan study found that almost 15% of Americans simply do not believe in this reality, and a survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that only 37% of Americans believe climate change is a top priority for the President. This surprisingly large percentage raises the question: How can so many people deny the threats caused by climate change? As 2023 shattered records for hottest temperature and carbon dioxide emissions, it is crucial that we address this ignorance as soon as possible.

One primary reason people believe climate change is not a real or a big issue is the lack of awareness. Many people have not been affected by it and, therefore, do not see the true impact of its devastation. From a psychological standpoint, humans tend to downplay threats we have not experienced yet, which heavily influences our perception. For example, if a person experiences a cold winter, they might be more inclined to say that climate change is a myth; this relates as much to messaging as other factors, as “global warming,” which was the dominant terminology, fails to contend with the unnatural cold snaps we see today. In contrast, that same person might accept that climate change is a real phenomenon after experiencing a scorching summer. This shift in perception underscores how personal experiences play a role in shaping a person's belief, and so Americans may be less inclined to consider climate-related events far from their own borders. 

Moreover, this reliance on personal experiences can be tied to our understanding of the “gradual” nature of climate change. Like the boiling frog scenario, many people fail to notice worldwide, yet minor environmental changes. Scientists warn that if the Earth’s temperature rises by 1.5 degrees from the pre-industrial level, the damage caused by climate change will be permanent and catastrophic. However, because a 1.5-degree increase is considered minor, it may be hard for some to grasp why scientists emphasize such an insignificant change. It might also be wise to consider how scientists are viewed in today’s environment; after the COVID pandemic, we can conclude that many Americans look at those in medical and research professions with some skepticism. Whether this is warranted is another matter, but we should reflect on how it affects our response to climate change.  

In 2023 alone, wildfires ravaged communities in California and Canada, while floods in China destroyed property and claimed the lives of innocent people. These events were caused by high temperatures due to climate change exposing people to its immense destruction.  Yet despite the vast amount of evidence, skeptics point out that these events and fluctuations in the global temperature have happened before and have nothing to do with human activity in an attempt to dismiss global warming as a significant threat. Detractors and skeptics point out that ice ages were not caused by human activity; rather, they were caused by the natural block of warm water and the formation of ice sheets that reflect sunlight. Thus, it has been a challenge to prove that global warming has been caused by human activities, and each day it is becoming worse as many choose to ignore the harm we inflict. 

An interview done by the Pew Research Center with a man from Coastal Florida further echoes this perspective. “I think that extreme weather events are not happening more. I think people know about them more. We know about a tsunami that happened worldwide, whereas 50 years ago, we never even heard of it. It may seem like things are happening more and more, but I think that just that is the cycle of life, the cycle of Earth. And if they are happening a little more, then that is just the cyclical part of what’s happening with the planet.” This interview demonstrates a significant element of climate misconception; members of the public discredit our conclusions that humans are responsible for climate change, revealing a phenomenon that is geographical and psychological. While citizens in one country acknowledge our reality, others simply do not, and we should dive deeper to pinpoint the underlying causes.

This perception that climate change is simply a natural phenomenon is a dangerous thing, as it removes the responsibility that humans are the ones who caused climate change. In reality, it is an easy argument to counter—as in 2023, we emitted 31.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and destroyed 9.1 million acres of tropical forest, all of which have only accelerated the process. Additionally, disinformation plays a prominent role in increasing the number of people who believe climate change is not an immediate issue; this disinformation ranges from misinterpreting data and misunderstandings to trying to outright fake news. Recently, however, some of these tactics have become very sophisticated; for instance, the Creative Society (an international organization that denies the existence of man-made climate change) tricked multiple scientists into participating in their online event promoting climate denialism. 

The danger of underestimating how significant climate change is or simply denying its existence is vast. Not accepting the fact that climate change is a top priority drastically increases the risks and harmful effects; true, climate change is a gradual issue in a sense, yet if there is still a relatively large amount of people who do not see its importance, then the effects of climate change will be more prominent. This includes rising sea levels, more damaging natural disasters, and intensifying heat waves; this increase in risks is felt all around the globe, particularly in communities that are not equipped to adapt. Additionally, by not acknowledging the severity of climate change, the amount of policies enforced and created goes down; if a large portion of the country does not view climate change as a serious threat, then government officials will be less inclined to develop strong proposals; instead, we are left with weaker proposals aimed at doing the bare minimum and not creating long-lasting change, mitigating the potential strength of federal policymaking. 

However, there are many ways we can combat this broader reluctance; one strategy is to incorporate climate education into school curricula. Educating students from a young age about the importance of climate change provides young minds with the skills, not only to combat climate change misinformation but also to try and create positive change. Another strategy is to communicate effectively, thus making it easier to convince a skeptical group about climate change; for example, if you are talking to people who look at things from an economic standpoint, then we must frame climate change as an economic battle. We should use statistics about government spending in the face of disasters like hurricanes or acknowledge changing property values close to the ocean. Then we might be able to include a larger group into the discussion.

In conclusion, the idea that climate change is not a big or real issue is still quite prominent. Without a doubt, downplaying global warming poses dangers to our society, as it limits the effectiveness of policies that mitigate climate change and increases the severity of its impacts. However, by addressing the roots of this skepticism—whether through education, communication, or policy changes—we can ensure that we safeguard the future of our world. We must break down the source, understanding that this brand of denialism is as nuanced as climate change itself. It is educational, geographical, psychological, and unique to this era, when so many Americans look at scientists as members of the “elite”. Still, I believe it is not too late. But we must act now, uncovering new ways to guarantee a safer future.