Every day, we are hearing about a new way the environment is changing. It can be hard to keep track of it all. This blog post will discuss some of the most important signs that the climate is changing. We will also talk about what you can do to help make a difference.
The Weather Is Getting More Extreme
The weather has been getting more extreme if you have been keen enough to notice. The winters are colder, and the summers are hotter. There have also been more natural disasters like hurricanes, typhoons, and floods. All of this is happening because the Earth’s atmosphere is getting warmer. And what’s causing the atmosphere to warm up? Greenhouse gases. These gases are important because they trap heat in the atmosphere and keep the Earth’s temperature livable. But when there is too much of them, it causes the Earth to warm up. And that’s exactly what’s happening now.
Many things contribute to the increase in greenhouse gases. One of them is burning fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas. When we burn these fuels for energy, it releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Another way greenhouse gases get into the atmosphere is through deforestation.
Animal Populations Are Changing
With climate educations, we see new species in areas that have never been spotted before. Warmer ocean waters drive fish, turtles, and other marine life into new territory as they follow their food sources. At the same time, animals that used to live in these now warmer areas are moving poleward into cooler climates. A recent study published in the journal they found that, since the 1970s, land animals have been moving an average of 17 kilometers per decade toward the poles.
Freshwater fish are migrating at a rate of 24 kilometers (15 miles) per decade. The study’s authors say these animal distribution shifts could majorly impact local ecosystems. As new species move into an area, they can compete with or prey on existing residents. These changes can disrupt the delicate balance of an ecosystem and cause severe problems for the animals and the humans who depend on them. What’s more, these shifts in animal distribution are likely to continue as the climate changes. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more extreme, we can expect to see more animals on the move in the future.
Plants Are Growing at Different Rates
It’s not just that spring is coming earlier each year. Scientists have documented plant life cycles worldwide and are indeed speeding up. In 2003, researchers found that budburst, the moment when a tree’s leaves first unfurl, occurred an average of five days earlier per decade since 1960 in England. A study published last year showed similar results for North American maples, birches, and aspens. Budburst is crucial because it cues the start of a plant’s growing season.
If spring comes sooner, plants have less time to grow before summer arrives. That could have consequences for animals that depend on those plants for food. But it’s not just budburst that’s happening earlier. Scientists have found that the timing of other critical events in plant life cycles – such as flowering, leaf fall, and fruit ripening – also shifts in response to rising temperatures. The environment is changing, and we are starting to see the effects. It’s more important than ever that we take care of our planet and work together to find solutions. We can all do our part by making small changes in our everyday lives. What will you do to help the environment?