Global climate record continues to break
NASA has announced that 2015 was indeed the hottest year since record keeping began in 1880, surpassing last year's record by a whopping 0.23 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this may not sound too impressive, keep in mind that this increase was by no means gradual and only once before, in 1998, has the difference been this dramatic.
The research was conducted by Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), and a separate independent analyses backed by by NOAA.
Which means that all of the variables and information that led to this consensus, were done without the total sharing of information between the two organizations, each collecting a unique set of data for the overall trend comparison. This was done to ensure that the information remained consistent, further eliminating the possibilities of error in calculation. In the scientific community it is often taboo to tag a 100% certainty to anything(for good reason), with that being said, NASA has given the certainty of these claims a generous 94%.
The information gathered was taken from over 6,300 weather stations, buoy's and Antarctic research stations.
Climate Change Denial
Accuracy of these claims is often disputed by Climate Change deniers, often assuming that multiple factors are not taken into account. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Multiple variables are taken into consideration when processing this information, taking into account any error and undergoing extreme levels of scrutiny through the process known as peer review.
"These raw measurements are analyzed using an algorithm that considers the varied spacing of temperature stations around the globe and urban heating effects that could skew the conclusions if left unaccounted for."
I've spoken with many Climate Change deniers and have heard nearly every vacuous claim made by the uneducated majority. Some are delving into mind blowing conspiracy theories that make me question the rarity of human intelligence, others are drowning in simplicity and appear completely unable to understand the profound reality of modern science.
Climate change is real, it's here and the consequences could be disastrous if we don't start doing something about it.
"The planet's average surface temperature has risen about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.0 degree Celsius) since the late-19th century, a change largely driven by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere."
The Paris Climate Agreement
On December 2015, 195 nations came together proposing an initiative adopted by the United Nations. This initiative would cut the worlds total number of carbon emissions, an attempt to prevent the climate from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. In addition the nations have also agreed to unite every 5 years to discuss further goals based on any new scientific data present. Some climate activists from around the globe even cited that this was not enough, exclaiming that further measures needed to be taken in order to preserve the ecological balance of our planet. Personally, I tend to look at it from both sides of the coin.
While this may in fact not be enough to stop Climate Change from gaining momentum as it rolls downhill, we also need to consider the economic ramifications of every decision that we make.
What you can personally do to tackle climate change
Whether you're riding a bike to work, using public transportation or turning off the lights when they are not necessary. Every individual counts and we must work together to put a stop to one of the largest disasters man kind has created. Community organization and education are two of the most fundamental components of change. Do your research or take a few classes at your local community college, inform those around you about the risks of climate change.
Humans have been shattering world records since our time on earth began, we use our highly intelligent minds to innovate and expand our knowledge of the world around us in order to improve human quality of life. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case and I am not particularly excited about this new trend of record setting.
