Alarming
This section explores the current and future effects of climate change that we need to know about and work towards solving. It also examines society’s current status of where we stand in our efforts to solve the problem.
The following content is from the “Alarming” section of the What on EARTH?! sustainability newsletter:
Why So Many Americans Are Silent About the Climate Crisis
Why So Many Americans Are Silent About the Climate Crisis Last weekend I had the pleasure of presenting to a class of confirmation students and their parents. As always, I did my best to toe the line of telling the hard truth about the climate crisis while also...
Sea Level Rise: It’s Probably Worse Than You Think
Sea Level Rise: It's Probably Worse Than You Think As you know, this newsletter is usually fairly inspiring. But this one is not (overall). And that's because we really need to talk about sea level rise again. Sorry, but the stakes are insanely high and everyone needs...
Air Pollution from Fossil Fuels is Killing Way More People Than You Realize
Air Pollution from Fossil Fuels is Killing Way More People Than You Realize You don't usually see it or hear about it much, but air pollution is killing US citizens at a horrific rate - like having 9/11 happen every single week horrific. 155,000 people die prematurely...
IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C: What You Need to Know
The IPCC's Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C You may have seen some headlines about a big climate change report recently from the IPCC. It's important enough that I read through the 30-page summary and combed over a ton of reactions to it. Below you’ll find...
Cape Town’s Water Crisis
Putting Cape Town's Water Crisis into Perspective A look at the effect on Cape Tonian's day to day lives and the pre-climate change odds of this happening Can you imagine waking up, brushing your teeth, hopping in the shower, and then running out of water for the rest...
Record-Breaking Heat is the New Normal
Record-Breaking Heat is the New Normal 17 of the 18 hottest years on record have occurred since 2001. The 18th was just a few years earlier in 1998. The last four years are the hottest of the bunch. 2018 looks like it will make our last five years the hottest five...
A Climate Poem for 2019: Big Oil’s Lies and How to Respond
A Climate Poem for 2019: Big Oil's Lies and How to Respond I've got something a little different for you this week. On occasion, I dabble with poetry. This one sort of just started pouring out of me the other night when I couldn't fall asleep. The next day I decided...
Climate Change in 2019: Where Do We Stand?
Climate Change in 2019: Where Do We Stand? A brief check-up on the biggest issue facing humanity. I thought this would be a good time to do a brief summary of the big picture and where we stand today. Buckle up because it's not pretty and I refuse to sugar-coat it....
2°C put in Perspective: A Useful Analogy, Where We Are Now, and Climate Lag
Putting 2°C in Perspective A useful analogy, a look at where we are now, where we're headed, and climate lag 2°C (3.6°F) is the amount of warming above pre-industrial levels at which experts say the consequences will become “catastrophic” for humans. We have already...
CO2 Levels and Sea Level Rise
CO2 Levels and Sea Level Rise A brief look at where we have been, where we are now, and where we're going The last time there was this much CO2 in the atmosphere (>400ppm) was 3 million years ago. Back then, temperatures were 2°C to 3°C (3.6°Fto 5.4°F) higher than...
Fossil Fuels Get an Insane Amount of Subsidies Compared to Renewables
Fossil Fuels Get Enormous Subsidies Compared to Renewables ...all time figures are even more staggering since fossil fuels have been receiving subsidies for over a century. (watch out - I've discovered a visualization tool!) Read other...
China’s Trash and Recycling Ban is Causing Chaos Around the World
China's Trash and Recycling Ban is Causing Chaos Around the World An overview of China's new ban, the effect it's having, and what it means moving forward China, which typically processes half of the world's exported waste paper, plastic, and metals is done being the...
Kiribati: 118,000 People on the Frontline of Climate Change and Mike Roman’s Mission to Help
Kiribati: 118,000 People on the Frontline of Climate Change and Mike Roman's Mission to Help Mike is an academic advisor at the University of Cincinnati by day, and a Pacific Climate Change Warrior by night. He has been working tirelessly for nearly 19 years to tell...
Permafrost: The Arctic’s Ticking Time Bomb
Our Thawing Permafrost and Why it Matters The Permafrost is thawing decades ahead of schedule. That is a huge deal. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. In 2016, the average temperature was 3.5°C (6.2°F) warmer than it was in 1900....
US White House Acknowledges but Fails to Lead on Climate Change
US White House Acknowledges but Fails to Lead on Climate Change They basically say "there's nothing we can do...so screw it!" The White House is working to roll back efficiency standards for vehicles. The EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s...
Co2 Emissions Per Capita Put in Perspective
CO2 Emissions Per Capita Put in Perspective The average US citizen is responsible for 19 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions each year. That’s roughly equivalent to the weight of 12 cars. To break it down further that’s 115 pounds (51kg) of greenhouse gas...
The Climate Silence…and What You Can Do About it
The Climate Silence and What You Can Do About it People aren’t talking about climate change enough. 65% of people in the US “rarely” or “never” talk about climate change. Only 20% say they hear people they know talk about climate change at least once a month. Nearly 2...
Yes, Global Warming May Be to Blame for Winter Extremes
Yes, Global Warming May Be to Blame for These Winter Extremes Although counter-intuitive, global warming is likely the reason why parts of the Northern hemisphere have been experiencing more extreme cold-snaps and heavy snowstorms. I know the Midwest got crushed this...
Climate Change Inaction: Is the Optimism Bias to Blame?
Is the Optimism Bias to Blame for Inaction on Climate Change? The strong support for sustainable policies is impressive considering we still haven’t fully grasped the severity of our situation, or what it means for us personally. The maps below highlight a key...
UN’s António Guterres Reminds us That Climate Change is Most Systemic Threat to Humankind
António Guterres' Reminder: Climate Change is Most Systemic Threat to Humankind Below are a couple of alarming, but accurate and important quotes from UN Secretary-General, António Guterres's, recent speech. You can watch it in full here. “The headlines are naturally...
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I believe reversing global warming is humanity’s #1 priority, so I write to help crowdsource more sustainability into the world. I do this for people. I do this so we can live in a healthier, safer, more prosperous, and more just society.