Why Do Some People Not Believe In Global Warming?

What is Global Warming?

The World has experienced colossal changes in the last century. One of the biggest changes is global warming. The basic definition of global warming is that in the last 50 years years, the average global temperature has been increasing rapidly. This is mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Yes, the very thing that is found in 96% of the items we used regularly is the main cause of global warming. Deforestation is also another main cause of global warming. Trees play an important role in regulating the amount of carbon dioxide, a common greenhouse gas, present in the air. The Amazon rainforest is the most threatened forest in the world. The WWF estimates that 27% of the amazon biome would be without trees by 2030 due to deforestation.

Why is it important?

One of the biggest problems that are caused by global warming is the melting of glaciers. The world has seen an increase in sea levels due to this. The evidence for this is everywhere. For example, the Glacier National Park in Montana had 150 glaciers in 1910 but now the number has decreased to 30. If we let the glaciers melt at the rate they are right now, the consequences would be devastating. It is estimated that if all the glaciers in the world melt, the sea level would rise by 70 meters or higher. The melting of glaciers poses a great threat to all the coastal cities like New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, Los Angeles etc. Another problem caused by global warming is the decrease of ozone levels in the atmosphere. The ozone layer protects us from the harmful UV rays from the sun. Ozone depletion would result in variou skin related diseases and also cancer. 

Why do some people not believe in global warming?

But of course, there are still a lot of people who do not believe in global warming despite having seen the evidence presented by scientists around the world. So why do some people not believe in global warming? I think that it boils down to people vs. science. People have been denying science for centuries, religion being one of the main reasons. Flat-Earthers, anti-vaxxers, anti-NASA etc. are all products of people vs. science. Another reason why people do not believe in global warming is that they simply can't feel the temperature increase for themselves as global warming is not an immediate change. It is a change that occurs and is occurring over a long period of time. People have to understand that these claims are being made by professional scientists who have spent most of their lives studying about the environment. They have to put more trust into these people than they do in conspiracy theories. Countries should start converting to renewable sources of energy. Practicing the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) also helps to battle climate change.

Citations

MacMillan , Amanda. Global Warming 101, 2016, www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101#warming.

“Importance of Fossil Fuels.” International Association of Geophysical Contractors | Houston, TX, 77008, www.iagc.org/importance-of-fossil-fuels.html#:~:text=Fossil%20fuels%20are%20found%20in,gas%20used%20to%20generate%20electricity.

Glick, Daniel. Global Climate Change, Melting Glaciers, 18 Jan. 2017, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/big-thaw/#:~:text=When%20temperatures%20rise%20and%20ice,warms%20and%20expands%20in%20volume.

“Will the World Ever Be All under Water?: AMNH.” American Museum of Natural History, www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/ask-a-scientist-about-our-environment/will-the-world-ever-be-all-under-water#:~:text=If%20all%20the%20ice%20covering,such%20as%20Denver%2C%20would%20survive.

“Deforestation in the Amazon.” WWF, wwf.panda.org/our_work/our_focus/forests_practice/deforestation_fronts2/deforestation_in_the_amazon/#:~:text=Amazon%20is%20the%20biggest%20deforestation,current%20rate%20of%20deforestation%20continues.

Butler, Rhett A. “Amazon Destruction.” Mongabay, Mongabay, 4 Feb. 2020, rainforests.mongabay.com/amazon/amazon_destruction.html.