Earth is in trouble

On April 22, we celebrated Earth Day, but unfortunately, our earth is in serious trouble.

The Greenland ice sheet is melting at an accelerating rate due to the increase in global temperatures caused by carbon emissions and deforestation. The average temperature in the world is increasing by 3.2 degrees centigrade compared to the goal of 1.5 degrees centigrade to sustain a livable planet.

From 2011-20, an estimated 3.5 trillion tons of the Greenland ice sheet melted, and at that pace, sea levels could rise by 1 to 2 feet by the end of the century. This would inundate many coastal cities.

On the other end of the planet, the Antarctic ice sheet is also experiencing rapid melting, which is also contributing to the rise in sea levels.

The world, and especially industrialized countries like the U.S. and China, have to increase the use of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles.

Deforestation is a major problem, especially the clearing of the Amazon rainforest. As land is cleared and carbon-absorbing forests are cut down to make room for farming, more carbon is emitted. Also, homeowners over the world who remove trees from their properties are increasing carbon emissions in the atmosphere. 

Extreme weather caused by climate change has increased drought conditions in the world. This has put a severe strain on the water supply and has adversely impacted crop yields and the world food supply.

We have to urgently address climate change. Our Earth is in trouble.

– Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.