Climate change has been a big issue around the world for quite some time now. Carbon emissions and greenhouse gases fill our atmosphere. You might be thinking- “Ugh, I don’t want to hear about climate change AGAIN. It’s not affecting me here in Seattle” while that is still a strange take on global warming, it is also false. There are many greenhouse gases that affect this city. There needs to be a change before it’s too late.
Seattle is known for its rain; this is a good thing- it helps prevent wildfires and keeps our ground lush and green. But too much rain can have the opposite effect. Extreme precipitation is something that Seattle is at risk of. When temperatures rise, the air capacity lets it hold more water vapor (leading to more rain clouds, fog, storms, etc.). Floods will become more common, leading to crops failing and money loss. Increases in precipitation can also affect our water quality. Flooding in urban areas forces the water into our sewer systems, degrading human health and aquatic life.
Speaking of aquatic life, they have taken a heavy blow, most know about the polluted waters but also due to the warming and shrinking of rivers. Chinook salmon requires cold freshwater to migrate to their spawning grounds, with global warming less salmon has made it spawn every year. A published study from the AGU journal Geophysical Research Letters proposes that because of the erratic weather and warming temperatures fish are predicted to lose half their habitat starting in 2040.
But all these issues that our community is fighting can be solved! Transportation is responsible for sixty percent of carbon emissions in Seattle. Switching to an electric car is a great investment and a way to reduce your carbon footprint. You can also electrify your home to reduce the gas you’re using as an insulator. Walking and biking to places close by areas is another helpful option.
Keeping our city clean is something that isn’t political; it’s a universal issue that needs to be paid attention to. Finding small ways to help our city when it comes to climate change adds up. Let’s all take a new step to keeping our city green and our earth happy.
By Hanna Maly
