By Kat Zelows

Climate change is gradually getting worse and is a threat to our world. 

Climate change comes from light, sound, thermal and plastic pollution. Light pollution is excessive artificial light use during the day or night. Cities and large towns contribute substantially to light pollution. Noise pollution is the exposure of elevated sound levels. The industrial revolution was the start of heavy noise pollution. Big industrialized cities contribute heavily to noise pollution. Thermal pollution is the change in water temperature of a natural body of water caused by humans. Thermal pollution is often caused by power plants and urban runoff stormwater. Plastic pollution is when too much plastic is produced and thrown away into the environment affecting wildlife. Plastic pollution is the most talked about pollution. Many states have started passing laws to help limit plastic pollution. For example the banning of plastic bags in states such as New York and California. Many companies also are trying to find better replacements for plastic or use recycled plastic. 

I think it is important to start reducing the use of one-use plastic objects. More people, especially students, should use water bottles and glass containers instead of plastic. Another thing students and other people could do is to remember to turn lights off when they are not in a room to help lower light pollution. If nothing is done to stop climate change and reduce pollution our planet will become unlivable for humans. 

Humans are nothing without our environment. To help save the environment it is important to take action. One way to take action is to vote for government officials that prioritize climate change. There are politicians who are actively trying to reduce climate change and save the planet. The Green New Deal is a bill that was recently introduced to help create jobs and lower climate change. I think this deal would be beneficial because it aims to ensure clean air, clean water and clean food for all American citizens. These are basic necessities that all Americans should receive. The Green New Deal included a plan to make America use more renewable energy which would help lessen climate change. Many who opposed the Green New Deal and other bills that hope to help solve climate change, only opposed it because they think climate change is a hoax and part of the liberal agenda.

Climate change is very real and detrimental to the earth. Scientists have been researching climate change and have informed us that it will soon be irreversible if we do not act now. Scientists should be listened to instead of politicians because they have the education and degrees to be knowledgeable and make accurate claims about climate change. Politicians often prioritize themselves and if a bill includes taxing them more they are more likely to vote against it. This is why it is important to vote for officials that prioritize issues that are important to you. Every person should care about climate change and should make an effort in their day to day lives to try and reduce pollution to help the environment. 

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