SCI 219 4-1 Discussion Global Climate Change Fact or Farce
Ashley Allen
Southern New Hampshire University
Ninety-seven percent of scientists agree that people are to blame for climate change (NOAA,
2020). The earth's surface has warmed as a result of human activity, according to scientific data.
Although part of the shifts are due to solar cycle variability, human activities have been a major
contributor (NOAA, 2021). Using fossil fuels for transportation, energy, and heating are
human-made activities that contribute to climate change (EPA, 2022). Although forests play a
crucial part in the earth's natural carbon cycle, increased fossil fuel consumption and
human-caused deforestation are two factors that have led to a rapid rise in global warming and
atmospheric greenhouse gasses. High greenhouse gas emissions can cause floods that harm
ecosystems and spread disease, health issues that increase mortality, and droughts that affect
human health and food production. Our contemporary lifestyles are exceeding the environment
on which we depend for survival, which has an influence on society (NOAA, 2021). Due to
persistent socio economic imbalances, underserved communities—which frequently have the
highest risk exposure and the fewest resources to address it—might be especially vulnerable.
The biggest issues for Louisiana, where I reside, are the increasing sea levels, rising
temperatures, and a rise in the frequency of extreme weather events like greater storms and more
frequent hurricanes. Due to larger storm surges, rising sea levels have an influence on coastal
erosion and hurricane effects. There have been multiple instances of heavier and more powerful
downpours. One such instance is the August 2016 flood, which claimed the lives of thirteen
people and destroyed approximately 60,000 dwellings. More rain fell in Louisiana in the three
months before the storm (40.95 inches), compared to Los Angeles over the previous five years
(Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan... 2016). Tornadoes and powerful floods have both
strengthened. For instance, Hurricane Ida in August 2021 severely damaged or completely
destroyed 700 structures (one out of every four buildings) at Grand Isle, Louisiana, which lies
nearby (Orr, M., 2022). Because of how powerful and destructive this storm was, Grand Isle's
population of year-round inhabitants fell by 36%.
References:
Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan: Climate change and the 1,000-year flood in Baton Rouge:
When will we learn? (2016, August 26). UWIRE Text, 1. Retrieved January 8, 2023, from
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A461663134/ITOF?u=nhc_main&sid=ebsco&xid=a903a1977
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (NOAA). (2021, August 13). Climate change
impacts. U.S Department of Commerce. Retrieved from January 15, 2023, from
https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/climate/climate-change-impacts
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (NOAA). (2020, February 3). Isn't there a lot
of disagreement among climate scientists about global warming? Retrieved January 15, 2023,
from
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-qa/isnt-there-lot-disagreement-among-climate-
scientists-about-global-warming
Orr, M. (2022, August 30). This island is not protected from a hurricane. but residents remain
resilient. WDSU. Retrieved January 8, 2023, fromhttps://www.wdsu.com/article/louisiana-grand-
isle/40934033#:~:text=There%20were%20about%201%2C050%20 permanent,structures
%20where%20 destroyed%20 or%20 damaged.
