Climate Change

            Climate change is a very controversial topic.  Based on the information I know about, I don’t know if I am educated enough to say whether or not it is manmade or natural; however, with what little I do know, I think it is a combination of the two.  Of course things that humans are doing on earth have affected the ozone, but are we the only reason the climate is starting to change?  Climate change has been happening throughout the history of the earth, including the periods when humans did not exist.  Climate change is a natural part of the earth’s history.  However, there is evidence that people are definitely helping the process along.

            With a variety of sources available from individuals and organizations, both of which are attempting to inform the public about climate change, I found the most reputable sources are those that come from organizations whose purpose is understanding what is going on in the environment and what they can do to change it.  One site that matches the type of sources that I consider reputable is http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/.  This site contains many different links that provide information about climate change such as; climate change indicators, greenhouse gas emissions, health and environmental effects, climate economics, and event things you can do to help.  The elements to this site provide a wide range of credible information about climate change, which, in my opinion, makes it reputable.

Is Climate Change Man Made?

            Even though there are sites such as the one I mentioned that give information on climate change, not everyone takes the time to do research themselves but only absorb what they may get from the news and other types of media or what they hear from others and, ultimately, base their opinion on this material, right or wrong.  The media portrays climate change as something negative.  That is, heavy human influences, with the responsibility being ours to reverse the damages that we have caused.  This portrayal does, however, make me want to slightly change my lifestyle.  This class is the first time I have really been exposed to climate change in depth and, the way it is portrayed in the media, makes me feel like if I change my lifestyle I will be doing my part in the fight against climate change.

            I believe that the effects that climate change will have on generations to come will not be positive ones.  As climate change progresses, there will be more pressure by the media for people to change their lifestyles and do their part.  Climate change is already portrayed as an ominous thing; I can only imagine the severity of it 100 years from now.

Ice has been rapidly melting, which some say is due to climate change.