The global warming that’s changing our climate is already having dire consequences.

In just the past few decades: 

• Rising temperatures have worsened extreme weather events.

• Chunks of ice in the Antarctic have broken apart.

• Wildfire seasons are months longer.

• Coral reefs have been bleached of their colors.

• Mosquitoes are expanding their territory, able to spread disease.

 

What’s causing these harmful changes?

It’s mainly us.

We humans are the ones who burn fossil fuels and chop down forests, causing average temperatures to rise worldwide. That global warming trend is increasingly disrupting our climate — the average weather over many years.

Earth has already warmed by about 1 degree Celsius, or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, since the 19th century, before industry started to boom.

While we experience the effects, we’re on our way toward 1.5 degrees C (2.7 F) by as early as 2030.

 

 

Important Statistics about Climate Change

• In the last 30 years, the average annual temperature has risen 3 degrees F in Ketchum

• In the last 30 years, the average annual temperature has risen 2.1 degrees F in Blaine County

• 5 million - Annual deaths linked to impacts of climate change

• 32% increase in Carbon Dioxide Levels in our atmosphere since 1950

 

What can you do?

Educate yourself on the science of climate change and the known solutions.  

Read credible books, magazines, blogs and posts that round out your knowledge.  Always consider how that new knowledge might inspire your next decisions.

 

Change your ways and walk the talk.  

There’s a lot in our daily lifestyles that needs to be changed to reduce our carbon footprints.   That much change is easier if you make small shifts each day and not think about the many changes yet to come.  Eventually, each of us will make every change but look through these lists to find your next step.

 

Talk climate change and solutions with friends and family.

Now that you’re more informed, talk with your friends, family and co-workers about your concerns and solutions. Be respectful of their positions and first find out what their concerns are and grow the conversation from there.  We are all most influenced by those we know and like.  See what you learn too.

 

Speak up and Join Up.

Writing or speaking to local and national businesses does impact their decisions and product choices.  Talking to them with your $$ and cents for each purchase may resonate even more.  Writing or calling elected decision makers directly or through letters to the editor can also sway an important decision.  Joining local (i.e., CAC) and national organizations also offers your voice a little more weight to enlarge your convictions.

 

 

 

Links for more information:

 

Researching and reporting the
science and impacts of climate change

https://www.climatecentral.org

 

The Four Most Effective Things You Can Do About Climate Change

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffmcmahon/2017/07/13/the-four-most-effective-things-you-can-do-about-climate-change-according-to-science/#55d1f27a635c

 

101 WAYS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

https://www.curbed.com/2017/6/7/15749900/how-to-stop-climate-change-actions