¨We don't have time to sit on our hands as our planet burns. For young people, global warming is bigger than election or re-election. Its life or death¨ (Cortez). Global warming is the gradual increase of the earth's surface temperature. There are man-made and natural causes of global warming; however, the majority are caused by human activity. Despite the problems already caused by global warming, many people worldwide still believe that global warming is not a severe issue. 

There are a few benefits of global warming; however, the negative impacts far outweigh the positive ones. Some of the positive benefits include: Better agricultural yields, more accessible shipping routes due to rising sea levels, fewer winter deaths or injuries due to a warmer climate, and finally, heating costs in colder countries would lower. The source of these statements is an article written by Matt Ridley, a British journalist who studies environmental issues. A quote to support some of these benefits is that ¨Studies show that, up to a certain point, crops and other plants grow better in the presence of higher carbon dioxide levels and seem to be more drought-tolerant. Salesmen would also have more accessible shipping routes due to rising sea levels giving customers more choice of goods.¨ (Herring). 

The list of concerns and negative effects of global warming are substantial. These include drastic weather changes and rising sea levels, dirtier air, severe droughts and floods, most of which we are experiencing already. Furthermore, bleaching of coral reefs through the warming of our oceans and changes in our biodiversity, decline in wildlife species and loss of habitat globally. Hurricanes and storms will also increase in severity and numbers, as will natural disasters. Rising sea levels will be of significant concern. ¨By 2100, it's estimated that our oceans will be one to four feet higher, threatening coastal systems and low-lying areas, encompassing entire island nations and the world’s largest cities¨ (Denchak). These are some of the main issues caused by global warming and will continue to affect our earth until it is addressed.

In conclusion, I believe we will suffer extreme consequences if we don´t stop global warming. It may be difficult to stop the natural causes such as methane and forest fires, but we can definitely reduce human causes. We need private sectors and governments to make an effort as many international climate summits have been held and passed without lasting changes. Agreements such as the Paris agreement in 2015 were to occur in 2016. Many of these agreed steps have failed. An urgent change is required on our part as humans to attempt a reduction of the planet's temperature. If the effects of global warming are not reduced in the near future, it will have a devastating impact on the planet. The world has to wake up now and act before it's too late. All is not in the government's hands. Every one of us can make small changes that will have a positive long term effect.