2008 – Seventh Grade Third Place:

Sharon Bae, Illinois.

Is global warming the greatest challenge facing humankind?

“All across the world, in every kind of environment and region known to man, increasingly dangerous weather patters and devastating storms are abruptly putting an end to the long-running debate over whether or not climate change is real. Not only is it real, it’s here, and its effects are giving rise to a frighteningly new global phenomenon: the man-made natural disaster,” – Barack Obama. With this quotation, our presidential candidate underscores that global warming is an extremely sever problem facing the world today. Its effects and causes have been on the rise and people need to do something about it before the problem gets any worse. Although opposing viewpoints might assert that the scientists have the technology and ingenuity to reduce the threat of global warming, however, if we don’t amend this now, we might have an arduous time later as diseases and other health issues worsen beyond control. If we cooperate and change our habits, global warming might not be the greatest confrontation simply because we have the power to make the difference.

How is the global warming affecting the Earth and its inhabitants? Over the last hundred years, temperatures around the world have been increasing slowly. Today, scientists predict that the temperature rises, several consequences could eventuate. To begin, the increase of temperature could recalibrate the growth of crops. This could really debilitate people and the countries that rely on imported food. Also, with the high temperatures, the polar ice caps could melt and cause the sea level to go up one to three feet. This could inundate small islands and coastal cities. For example, the Everglades in Florida would be almost wiped right off the map. Secondly, when the hot temperatures do spread, disease will spread with them. Diseases that were down in California will occur in New Hampshire. These new diseases will be hard to deal with, causing many more deaths and illnesses. In addition, global warming can cause natural disasters such as hurricanes. Financial problems will result from flooding and other disasters as dams need to be built and cities need to be constructed. Finally, global warming will cause a mass migration. The shortage in food will cause the price of the food to increase and with all the diseases, we will necessitate more medical supplies and workers. If we don’t do something about it now, global warming will cause unprecedented environmental, financial, and health disasters.

Global warming is here and humans are “very likely” the blame. Not only have our behaviors and bi-products damaged the planet, but our weak human character has as well. All the pollution comes from humans. For example, in urban areas like Los Angeles transportation is the main cause of air pollution. But people are too desperate to relinquish using transportation. And they don’t take the problem seriously until the point of no return. They are too egotistic and desperate to prevent global warming from worsening. There’s only one solution to prevent global warming – cooperation and the permanent alteration of humans’ habits and behaviors. If humans cooperate and change their habits, global warming might not be the greatest challenge. Individual choices can have a colossal impact on global climate change. As individuals we can occlude the crisis of global warming by driving smaller vehicles, purchasing more energy-efficient appliances, and reducing our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels that cause global warming. Global warming is here, and it’s causing more frequent and intense floods and hurricanes; rising sea levels; and more disease outbreaks. If we don’t do something about it now, the problem will get worse, and we won’t be able to fix it. It is at this moment that we must make a smart choice.






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