As we continue to turn on the news, we constantly see an array of natural disasters, making climate change an eminent discussion among several generations. Though many of these things are happening in real-time, we’re seeing a shift and divide between people still questioning the reality of climate change.
According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of Americans say human activity is the primary reason the Earth is warming. By contrast, 26% say natural environmental patterns mainly cause warming, and another 14% do not believe there’s evidence the Earth is warming.
On August 8, 2023, wildfires have spread across the island of Maui in Hawaii. Over 100 lives were lost, and citizens’ homes were destroyed within seconds.
“What we saw was the utter devastation of Lahaina,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green said at a press conference. “What we saw was likely the largest natural disaster in Hawaii’s state history.”
Read ‘The New York Air Quality Is A Reflection Of Climate Change’
There have been constant updates on the status of the families and people of Maui regarding how to find proper resources during this time. Still, the significant conversation that has opened up is that we need to properly discuss the effects of climate change across the globe without misinformation.
Last night, the Republican Party held its first debate, and the topic of climate change began. Vivek Ramaswamy used his platform to call it a hoax.
“I’m the only candidate on stage who isn’t bought and paid for, so I can say this,” Ramaswamy said. “Climate change is a hoax. The reality is more people are dying of bad climate change policies than they are of actual climate change.”
With new information released at a high pace, it can be harmful and confusing for people to understand how climate change affects our daily lives, let alone the severity of the matter. “Climate change is real, by the way,” President Joe Biden tweeted.
According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, January 2023 was the seventh-warmest January in the 174-year NOAA record globally. It is virtually certain (99.0%) that 2023 will rank among the 10 warmest years on record.
Gen Z’ers and Millennials online are beginning to use their voice and take matters into their own hands to debunk the myths and misinformation around the climate control conversation.
As the discourse continues to take over our timelines, it’s essential to use our voices to continue to prevent other platforms from spreading information that can be harmful. “The climate crisis in itself is a political issue in understanding the systems that led us to be here,” Environmentalist Wawa Gatheru told GU in April.
Read ‘Meet The Founder Of Black Girl Environmentalist’
About Kenyatta: Clark Atlanta University and Medill School alumna Kenyatta Victoria is the Girls United writer covering everything from news, pop culture, lifestyle, and investigative stories. When not reporting, she’s diving deep into her curated playlists or binging her favorite comfort shows.