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Editorial: It’s up to us to reduce carbon emissions before it’s too late

Lindsay Knake,
Grand Central Magazine

Some say that global warming is an immediate threat to the Earth. Others say the Earth is undergoing natural climate change between ice ages. There are compelling arguments for both sides.

But does it really matter?

Many scientists argue that the Earth is doing what it always does, naturally changing. The Earth has undergone four major ice ages in its 4.5 billion years of existence. The last ice age ended about 15,000 years ago. In between the ice ages, the Earth’s temperature naturally fluctuates, known as an interglacial period. The temperature of the climate naturally warms during this time.

Earth has been as warm as it is right now at least one other time in its existence.

However, some scientists argue that the cause of the warming is human activity. Global warming is a relatively new idea, sparking activism by prominent figures, movies and a “green” trend.

Robert Bailey, a professor of biology at Central Michigan University, said that although the climate naturally changes between ice ages, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution has dramatically increased. Carbon dating shows the concentration of carbon was stable for over 600,000 years until humans started burning fossil fuels.

“The greenhouse effect is real,” Bailey said.

Both arguments are rational and have strong proof to back them up. But what can’t be denied is the unsustainable way people are living.

Whether or not this contributes to Al Gore’s idea of global warming is something we may never know.

“We are going to be in serious trouble in the next 30 to 40 years,” Bailey said.

It seems like people spend more time arguing about whether or not global warming exists than they do trying to do something about it. Whichever argument people agree with, an argument could be made that serious damage is being done to the Earth.

Simply recycling can make a difference.

Buying locally grown fruit and vegetables in the summer and carpooling with friends more are also ways to help the environment.

Individuals can make a difference.

“It makes me sad when people say, ‘What can one person do?’” Bailey said.

Bailey says we need to reduce our carbon emissions and help influence those around us to do the same. Arguing instead of acting won’t help the cause.

Or perhaps we should just leave the arguing behind and focus on what we can to do make sure we will have a healthy place to live.