2020 – One of the Hottest Years Yet
Along with the many other issues of 2020, climate change poses a great threat.
For Antarctica in particular, the heat waves of 2020 caused great damage.
Among tense government situations, a global pandemic, and many other unforeseen troubles that arose last year, the global heat index remains arguably at the top the list of pressing issues for the future. At a time already laden with tragedies, the frequent occurrence of forest fires, droughts, floods, and heat waves must not be underestimated.
2020 is tied with 2016 as the hottest year yet to occur, and the culprit remains the same — rapid climate change.
Given that the annual global temperature has been increasing for a substantial amount of time, students view this as an important issue that is currently facing our generation. Many of the negative effects of global warming will be felt the most by the younger generations, as they will be the ones living a very large portion of their lives through it.
NASH senior Meg Patterson, who is passionate about the environment, feels that climate change will be a big issue for her generation.
“Global warming is absolutely an issue. Right now the older generations aren’t doing enough about it, so in the future it’s going to be our problem. It may even be too late to truly fix it at that point,” she said.
It is not just Patterson’s opinion that rising temperatures are a pressing issue for today’s society, it is a fact. Since the 1800’s, the planet has warmed around two degrees Fahrenheit, with each decade warming even more as a result of industrialization and the large amount of fossil fuel emissions.
Global warming can have effects on the economy, the quality of life, and many more factors of life. The many forest fires across the world, along with other natural disasters, were also a product of climate change. There were record numbers of fires in both Australia and California, while South America and parts of the US faced droughts.
Because of these events, it was not a surprise for senior Anna Mott that last year was one of the hottest years yet. The numerous natural disasters hinted at the worsening state of the planet.
“I was not aware that 2020 was one of the hottest years, but I did know that there were many natural disasters, so it makes sense,” she said.
Despite the continuous problems the earth is facing currently, some still remain hopeful that with effort and dedication the issue may ease up.
“I think it is possible to reverse global warming, but the efforts need to be much more dedicated than they currently are now,’ Mott said.
Senior Karl Fuchs believes that if countries were able to come together and agree upon policies to limit the greenhouse effect, climate change may ease up in time.
“The recent decision to put the US back into the Paris Agreement gave me some hope that climate change may be able to be changed in time. Cooperation between countries is an important step to take in order to resolve this issue,” he said.
As of January 20, the Biden Administration re-entered the Paris Agreement, a treaty that aims to decrease climate change, and one that over 180 other countries are a part of. This is a promising action that indicates President Biden’s commitments to advocating for the environment.
However, individuals can also do their part to contribute to limiting climate change. Simple actions such as opting for reusable containers instead of plastic, car pooling, and not supporting fast fashion can help minimize one’s own carbon footprint.
Some may not believe that one person’s actions can help the environment, but Aliya Haq, a deputy director of the NRDC’s Clean Power Initiative, refutes this belief.
“Change only happens when individuals take action,” she said.
The 2020 heat wave came as no surprise to professionals and students alike. The worsening state of the Earth is no secret, as greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and landfill waste all increase. Although the year had many other important issues, the increase in global temperatures demands attention and a solution.
Alyssa Bruce is currently in her senior year of high school and is excited to write for her fourth year on the school newspaper staff. She participates in NHS, Key Club, Tiger Thon & Project Water Committees, and NEHS. For the school year, she runs on vanilla lattes and power naps.