Debunking Common Myths On Climate Change

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"Debunking Common Myths On Climate Change "

Sophia Xu
Updated: November. 25, 2023 

Climate change is one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing humanity today (Almost as complex as a teenager's plan to get more screen time). It affects every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat to the air we breathe. However, there are still many misconceptions and myths about climate change that prevent people from understanding the reality and taking action. In this blogpost, I will address some of the most common myths about climate change and the ocean, and show how the ocean is both a victim and a hero in the fight against global warming.

Myth 1: Climate change is not happening (Cant believe how dumb humans are)

This is perhaps the MOST persistent and dangerous myth about climate change. I still can't believe this is something some humans believe in. The scientific evidence is overwhelming and undeniable: the Earth is warming, and humans are the main cause. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global average temperature has risen by about 1.1°C since the pre-industrial era, and human activities have emitted more than 2,000 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere since 17501. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat and warms the planet. The IPCC also states that it is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century1.

The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the climate and absorbing CO2. The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and stores more than 90% of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions2. The ocean also absorbs about 25% of the CO2 emitted by human activities, reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and slowing down the rate of global warming3. However, this comes at a cost: the ocean is becoming warmer, more acidic, and less oxygenated, threatening the health and survival of marine life and ecosystems2.

Myth 2: Climate change is a future problem 

Ok, Now this is just irresponsible. Even if this is a FUTURE problem. Do you think kids will be happy when they found out they are getting climate change this Christmas! This myth is that climate change is a distant threat that will only affect future generations is false and misleading. Climate change is already happening and has serious impacts on people and nature around the world. Some of the impacts include:

• More frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires1.
• Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and flooding, affecting millions of people living in low-lying and coastal areas1.
• Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as food, water, medicine, and recreation, due to habitat degradation, fragmentation, and destruction1.
• Increased risks of food insecurity, malnutrition, water scarcity, disease, displacement, and conflict, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized populations1.

The ocean is also feeling the effects of climate change. Some of the impacts include:

• Changes in ocean ecosystems and fisheries, as marine species shift their distribution, abundance, and behavior in response to changing ocean conditions2. This can affect the livelihoods and food security of millions of people who depend on fishing and aquaculture4.
• More common and severe extreme marine events, such as marine heatwaves, coral bleaching, harmful algal blooms, and dead zones2. These events can cause massive mortality and damage to marine life and ecosystems, and pose risks to human health and well-being2.
• Threats to subsistence fishing and cultural traditions, as climate change affects the availability and quality of fish and other marine resources that are essential for some Indigenous and local communities2.
• Loss of natural coastal protection and carbon storage, as climate change degrades and destroys coastal habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes2. These habitats provide valuable ecosystem services such as buffering storms, filtering pollutants, and sequestering carbon2.

Myth 3: There is NOTHING we can do to stop climate change

The final myth I want to debunk is that climate change is inevitable and unstoppable and that there is nothing we can do to make a difference. This is kinda false and definitely defeatist. You as an individual cant really make a big dent in that problem. But if you get your big boy pants up and start an organization maybe, just maybe can you make a dent in the problem. But Climate change is not a hopeless problem. There are many solutions and actions that we can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience, and adapt to the changing conditions. Some of the solutions and actions include:

• Switching to renewable and clean energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro, and improving energy efficiency and conservation1.
• Reducing deforestation and land degradation, and restoring and protecting natural forests and ecosystems1.
• Promoting sustainable and low-carbon agriculture and food systems, and reducing food waste and loss1.
• Supporting green and circular economy, and reducing consumption and production of goods and services that have high environmental and social impacts1.
• Enhancing education and awareness, and empowering individuals and communities to take action and demand change1.

The ocean is also part of the solution to climate change. Some of the solutions and actions that involve the ocean include:

• Reducing ocean pollution and overfishing, and improving ocean governance and management2.
• Restoring and protecting coastal blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, and enhancing their carbon sequestration and storage potential2.
• Supporting ocean-based renewable energy, such as offshore wind, wave, and tidal, and developing low-carbon and climate-resilient ocean industries2.
• Promoting ocean literacy and stewardship, and fostering ocean values and ethics2.

Conclusion

Climate change is a real and urgent problem that affects the ocean and all life on Earth. However, there are many myths and misconceptions that prevent people from understanding the reality and taking action. In this blog post, I have debunked some of the most common myths about climate change and the ocean and shown how the ocean is both a victim and a hero in the fight against global warming. I hope this blog post has inspired you to learn more about climate change and the ocean and to take action to protect our blue planet. Remember, we are all connected to the ocean, and the ocean needs us as much as we need it.