The temperature of the Earth has been increasing over the last 35 years. Over the past several decades, the polar ice caps have been thinning and shrinking in size due to the increase in global temperatures.
Science teacher Sarah Robertson discusses the effects of climate change.
“I mean good grief, look at California right now, it’s on fire—the entire west coast is on fire,” Robertson said. “Have we had a bazillion hurricanes? Yes, and they’ve actually been increased in intensity and they are fueled by all the things that climate change is creating. We are noticing melting ice caps, we are noticing diseases spreading northward that used to be southern hemisphere diseases. So yeah, there’s so much evidence supporting climate change that anybody that says otherwise obviously has not been paying attention.”
In a poll of 121 random Northwood students, 68 percent of students surveyed said they believe climate change is real, that it is a pressing issue and that human activity is speeding it up. Among the 32 percent of those who do not agree with all three statements, three percent have no opinion toward the existence of climate change, if it is a pressing issue and if human activity is speeding it up.
Freshman Rachel Covington has a straightforward view of climate change.
“Climate change is obviously happening—one day we’re all gonna die because of climate change, and it’s not a good thing,” Covington said. “I hate climate change.”
Sophomore Ava Sorgman believes that this generation will be the first to be affected by climate change and that it is a pressing issue.
“We should be concerned about climate change, because this generation will be the first to actually experience it,” Sorgman said. “Climate change was brought by the generations before us, but we’re going to be the first generation to have to live with the consequences.”
Science teacher Philip Cox commented on the differences in opinions on climate change between generations today.
“I would say it’s a pressing issue. Maybe not for a lot of the old people because you know they’re gonna die off, and hey, they don’t care,” Cox said. “For those of your generation, it’s going to be an interesting ride.”
Robertson says this generation should be aware of the climate changing and should care about how it will affect us.
“There is no doubt in the scientific community that [climate change] will affect your generation and your kids and grandkids,” Robertson said. “There have been so many studies backing this up, it’s ridiculous. In fact, any of the studies that were done by scientists that argue that it is not affected or caused by humans… are not even legitimate studies. When you throw out the flawed studies, you’re essentially looking at 100 percent of scientists agreeing that it is man made, [and] it is definitely going to affect your generation and every other generation following.”
– By CC Kallam
