Environment Blog Post

       In "Save the Whales, Screw the Shrimp" J. Williams states how, "Though it's quite apparent that the environment has been grossly polluted...you seem to prefer to continue pondering effects rather than preventative causes" (Williams 941). This statement is correct to a certain extent because although generally people do talk a lot about the effects of climate change, they are also talking about the necessary steps that need to be taken in order to stop climate change. For example, on Earth Day 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio gave a speech at the United Nations about climate change. He does discuss how some of the negative effects of climate change include flooding, rising sea levels, and glaciers disappearing faster than predicted. However, he also mentions that as a society we need to stop burning fossil fuels and instead use renewable energy sources, clean fuels, and put a price on carbon pollution to stop climate change. In addition, on June 25th, 2013, then President Obama gave a speech regarding climate change at Georgetown University. He talks about how oceans temperatures are rising, ice in the Arctic is shrinking, and wildfires are occurring as effects of climate change. Nonetheless, he goes on to extensively explain what needs to be done in order to stop climate change. He mentions how it is vital that we use clean energy, waste less energy, and lower the dumping of carbon pollution from power plants. Furthermore, in a speech given by 15-year-old activist Greta Thunberg, Thunberg mentions how in order to stop climate change we need to stop burning fossil fuels, focus on equity, and change the system if necessary.
        Climate change is a very important and prevalent issue due to the horrible consequences of it such as flooding, rising sea levels, ice shrinking, and wildfires. Flooding and wildfires can cause lots of damage to an area by destroying homes and commercial buildings. Rising sea levels and ice shrinking are very harmful to animals that live in water because they can cause their habitats to get destroyed. Rising sea levels can also lead to flooding. Thus, it is vital that we put an end to climate change. That is why it is important that people are made aware of the issue by being warned about the negative effects of climate change to inspire action. It is also important that as a society we come up with solutions to help end climate change. People nowadays are mentioning ways to prevent further harm from being done and it is very excellent and necessary that they are doing so.