Is Climate Change a Priority? If so What Will You Do to Change it?

Global warming is affecting the planet in many ways, from melting ice caps and glaciers to extending seasons in some places. As our planet suffers we also suffer because for example when our sea levels rises, the risk of floods also increase. In the article “2013 as Year Zero: For Earth and For Us”, Rebecca Solnit speaks about the gifts we have that will help us overcome climate change. She also speaks about the ability we have to fight it. For instance by fighting fracking, the earth will succeed by not being harmed, and since those rocks won’t be blasted, children are being saved from such a harmful act. Other ways we could address the problem of climate change are by recycling, spreading the word, and also installing wind turbines.

We could address the problem of climate change by recycling. Day by day our earth suffers more and more from small actions like littering such an action could be solved by simply recycling. Recycling is an important gift we have because over time the amount of waste created is increasing, and with the power of recycling we could make a massive impact on our planet. In the article ”2013 as Year Zero: For Earth and For Us”, by Rebecca Solnit, she explains that by fighting back the win is big although by giving up the loss is bigger. Therefore in order to overcome climate change Solnit says one should fight back. By recycling we are fighting back, and we could overcome climate change. Solnit writes, “Think of 2013 as the Year Zero in the battle over climate change, one in which we are going to have to win big, or lose bigger” (1). In other words, Solnit is explaining that we need to act now because a lot is at stake. We need start recycling before it is too late. Thus, even the slightest actions like recycling will result with major differences such as less oil being used.

An additional way we could address the problem of climate change is by spreading the word. By bringing awareness we are getting the public’s attention and educating them on the reality of what’s really happening to our planet. In the article, “2013 as Year Zero: For Earth and For Us”, by Rebecca Solnit, she explains that we must inform not only ourselves but people around us of the effects of climate change. For that reason, we must protest, host rallies, provide information sessions, and much more to surpass this dismay. Solnit writes, “Educate yourself and others, write letters, organize or join local groups, participate in blockades and demonstrations, work on divestment from oil corporations (if you’re connected to a university), and make this issue central to the conversations and politics of our time” (2). In other words, Solnit is explaining that we must come together to notify people and expose the truth. With people being naive to truth no effort will be put into helping our planet. Hence, the first step toward success is awareness.

Finally, we could address the problem of climate change by installing wind turbines. Although other sources of electricity require fuel in processing plants, wind energy is free and generates electricity through wind. Wind is a natural fuel that does not need to be transported or mined which are two costs from lasting energy. In the article, “2013 as Year Zero: For Earth and For Us”, by Rebecca Solnit, she explains how a town gets all their electricity from wind energy. Wind turbines do not pollute our planets air nor water and for that reason it is resourceful. Solnit writes, “Caroline, a small hamlet in Tompkins County (population 3,282), is the second town in the state to get 100% of its electricity through wind power and one of the most recent to pass a fracking ban” (2). In other words, Solnit is clarifying that wind turbines are a successful way to produce electricity. Not only is wind energy free but also an unpolluted energy sourcing that supplies electricity.

In order to address the problem of climate change we must recycle, spread the word, and also install wind turbines. Climate change is not something expected to happen in the future but a cause that is already occurring. Climate change is worsening and needs to be priority to everyone or else our planet will become more polluted. As our climate worsens our planet becomes polluted with oils and gases resulting with our planet becoming warmer than usual. In conclusion, climate change must be approached now before it too late because “we have to win big, or lose bigger”.