Our planet is naturally insulated by a layer of heat-trapping or “greenhouse” gases in the atmosphere. These greenhouse gasses trap heat from the sun, warming Earth to a temperature suitable to support life.
However, this protective layer of greenhouse gases is delicate and susceptible to changes caused by human activity. Over the course of the last century, humans have released more and more carbon-dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the Earth’s atmosphere as a result of burning dirty fuels like coal and oil.
Climate Change is the human-made consequence of burning more and more dirty fossil fuels over the course of the last century. The additional carbon-dioxide released from burning dirty fuels has upset the delicate balance of atmospheric gases resulting in too much heat now being trapped inside the Earth’s atmosphere.
This increased heat is affecting our planet in a number of serious ways. Changes in global weather patterns, sea level rise, flooding, draught, disruption of agriculture and the spread of disease are all consequences of climate change.
Consequences like agricultural disruption and the loss of coastline from sea rise ensure that states like South Carolina have the most to lose unless we take action. Fortunately, it is not too late to embrace policies at the state and national level that will reduce our use and dependence on dirty fuels responsible for greenhouse gas pollution.
Increasingly, South Carolinians are embracing long-term solutions like conservation, improved efficiency and renewable energy as our state first fuels and the best way to solve the climate crisis.
