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Combatting global warming, what can be done to help prevent it

Global warming is an epidemic that humans have been combatting for centuries. According to NASA, the planet’s significant average temperature increase is a change largely driven by carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. For thousands of years, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have never been above 300 parts per million. However, since 1950, those levels have only gone up. The current level is at approximately 400 parts per million, according to NASA.

This issue isn’t something that can be fixed by scientists alone, and it will take a little effort from everybody to be reversed. There are small things anyone can do within their community to make the world greener and help prevent global warming.

“One of the easiest ways we can combat global warming is to grow our own food, and buy locally as often as possible,” said Ecology teacher Mr. Eric Webb. Webb encourages all to use these methods of obtaining food because he is a believer in making the Earth a better place to live.

“Looking at the real big picture, the impact of [global warming] on our planet is not great,” he said.

“Diversity within species has massively declined, and I personally feel that that makes for a less interesting world,” said Webb.

As global warming continues, this diversity in species will consequently continue to fade. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the extinction crisis is happening at a more rapid pace than ever before. As for the near future, the Earth could face as much as 30 to 50 percent of all species headed towards extinction during mid-century.

“We are seeing such an increase in certain species we don’t want, and a decrease in the ones we want to save and protect,” Webb said.

“What I hope for my children and my children’s children to see someday are all of the beautiful colors and sounds this world has to offer. I don’t want them to see just shades of grey,” he said.

Since 99 percent of currently threatened species are at risk due to human activities, saving the unique biodiversity that makes up this world can only be dismantled by humans, as stated on the Center for Biological Diversity. The importance of retaining this diversity lies within keeping the ecosystem productive and clean, which is certainly imperative to humans’ everyday life.

An additional way that the “average joe” can assist in maintaining biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions is by composting organic material.

Electronics and AP Physics teacher Mr. Eric Musselman, who is an avid composter himself, recommends to always be aware of every choice you make when it comes to disposables.

“A very large percentage of things you throw away is compostable,” Musselman said,

“Composting yourself reduces fossil fuels,” said Musselman.

By reducing this, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions are also cut.

“Anytime you can keep things more local, the fewer fossil fuels are used,” Musselman said. Musselman also strongly encourages shopping locally and growing your own food.

“When battling global warming, it’s all about the choices we make. It could be something as simple as choosing to use a reusable water bottle rather than plastic ones,” said Musselman.

Informing others on these issues will hopefully spark a trend, and this Earth can catch a break from the carbon emissions and extinction among species.

“My biggest contribution to fighting global warming above all is the fact that I’m an educator, and teaching this topic is so important,” said Webb.

“Informing others is the greatest contribution anyone could do,” Webb said.

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