Global warming has become more controversial than “fake news” itself. It’s all about the environment, and people care where they end up living. Popular news sources and NASA have had plenty to say in regard to our planet as well.
It seems like headline after headline, global warming is becoming a larger issue. We are destroying our planet and need a reality check — the world may not last.
For the most part, growing attention about the environment has been subtle since the early 2000s. Recycling becoming mainstream, changing plastic to glass, zero waste movements and anti-straws. All efforts to help preserve what we have left.
Emily Pearce | Argonaut
It wasn’t until now that Bill Nye, the former Science Guy, has spoken up about our growing issue.
Information is questionable when it comes to global warming, but it’s something everyone wonders about. What exactly is global warming?
First of all, it’s real.
NASA has an interesting, easily approachable page on the topic. Titled “Global Climate Change, Vital Signs of the Planet,” it’s accessible from NASA’s website. It’s worthwhile to check out.
We need to understand the Earth and its atmosphere act as a giant greenhouse.
According to NASA, “Life on Earth depends on the energy coming from the sun,” and around 90% of this heat is absorbed by greenhouse gasses and then radiates back to the surface.Our planet works to protect and keep heat in, so we can continue living at a comfortable 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the sun does keep Earth warm, it is not to blame for the causes of climate change. Satellite instruments have been measuring the sun’s direct energy output since 1978, with results only showing a slight drop in solar irradiance, according to data from NASA.
Bill Nye
This means the sun, and NASA’s proxy indicators (the amount of carbon in tree rings), show the sun isn’t to blame for global warming. It’s most likely us.
This is where Bill Nye’s breakdown comes into play.
The Washington Post broke down his “R-rated” publicity stunt into quotable passages.
“By the end of this century, if emissions keep rising, the average temperature on Earth could go up another four to eight degrees,” Nye said. “What I’m saying is, the planet is on fire.”
This is one of Nye’s attempts to “wake up” the kids who grew up watching him.
He has even asked his audience to “grow up.”
“You’re not children anymore,” he said. “I didn’t mind explaining photosynthesis to you when you were 12. But you’re adults now, and this is an actual crisis; got it?”
Even though the message is shocking, Nye did have a motive to his madness. In his breakdown, he described what carbon pricing is and what it could do for the environment.
In his own words, “When something costs more, people buy less of it. … Are any of them free? No, of course not. Nothing’s free you idiots.”
Carbon pricing would be a part of a Green New Deal, as the Washington Post phrases it. It would be incredibly expensive, but would keep the world a little less on fire.
Nothing is free, and it’s a good point Nye is getting at. To be able to save the world, we would have to spend a bit of money, even if it’s something not everyone wants to do.
The world is only going to last if we take care of it and change something. Even if Bill Nye has to go on air and curse, it’s a start to solving our world’s madness.
Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected]
Trinity
If climate change is real what would the ideal surface temperature be for the current climate policy? Could you cite which climate change model uses the Sun's solar output? If anyone who pretends to be a journalist could answer these questions I would be thankful.
Daniel
The United States gave gas, oil and coal subsidies of 649 Billion last year. The military and all its branches only got 599 Billion. China gives subsidies to solar companies and that's why their solar panels are so inexpensive. We have inexpensive coal, oil and gas.