Rising Temperatures Call for Urgent Change
By Sofia Rizos, Senior Staff Writer
In today’s world, climate change is prevalent, affects our future, and is evident in our everyday lives. Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that define Earth’s local, regional, and global climates. This change is largely driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agricultural practices, and industrial processes. Greenhouse gases also play a major role. As they increase, they act like a blanket, trapping Earth’s heat in the atmosphere that would normally escape into space.
Currently, 2025 is one of the warmest years on record, and as greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, we can expect more hot weather. The heat content in the oceans has been increasing, driving rising sea levels and arctic ice loss. The loss of Arctic sea ice can damage ecosystems and further disrupt the weather. Rising sea levels can cause severe flooding, shoreline erosion, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater. It can affect our climate by also increasing the frequency and severity of weather events such as stronger and longer hurricanes, droughts, wildfires, and storms. An effect of this is that communities may face higher taxes to cover the costs of repairing roads, buildings, and other infrastructure damaged by these floods and storms. A theology teacher at St. Joe, Mr. Ward, has expressed why climate change is so important to him.
“Climate change is important because it’s reflective of our failure to love God and our neighbor and God’s creation, and it’s jeopardizing the global south, our neighbors. What affects others affects us as well,” Mr. Ward said.
Climate change affects us every day, even in ways we don’t realize. The rising heat puts our health at risk by overwhelming our body’s internal temperature regulator. Cardiovascular strain is also a very prevalent threat. It means that your heart is working harder to pump blood to cool yourself down. It also increases risks of dehydration and heatstroke, which can result in heart attacks and strokes. A small thing many of us may not consider is that excessive sweating from dehydration can increase the risk of blood clots.
Additionally, climate change can affect us financially. Rising temperatures, intense droughts, and flooding can drive up household prices. Crop prices, which include many food staples, are affected by this, potentially leading to higher prices. Some insurance companies are abandoning these markets, leaving homeowners with extremely expensive insurance or even none at all. Also, it will drive up electricity bills as air conditioning is relied upon more during hotter seasons. It is important to realize, however, that we are not powerless in this situation. We can make an impact, big or small.
It is important to realize, however, that we are not powerless in this situation. We can make an impact, big or small. A simple way we can help, which we strive to do at St. Joe, is to participate in composting. Composting is a natural process of recycling organic waste, such as food scraps, leaves, and yard trimmings, that breaks down over time. These will turn into nutrient-rich soil, improving soil quality and reducing landfill waste.
Rachel Amato, a Junior and member of Earth Angels, explains how composting can help combat climate change in a small and simple way.
“Composting keeps waste out of landfills and can be beneficial for gardening. By composting at SJA, we can help make a big difference through a series of small actions,” Rachel said.
Another, less well-known, easy way to help is ecobricking. Ecobricking is a process in which clean plastic bottles are filled with dry, non-recyclable plastic waste, such as gum wrappers and receipts, and packed densely. They help mitigate climate change by separating non-recyclable plastic materials and preventing them from contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, as these materials would typically be incinerated or degraded in large landfills. These ecobricks can then be used in the construction of garden walls or even larger structures, helping those who have lost their homes due to climate change.
There are a plethora of ways to help protect the Earth, and no effort is too small, because we only have one Earth and, as humans, we must take care of our home. Climate change is no longer a distant problem; it is happening now, and it will affect us for years to come. Rising temperatures, sea levels, and prices are making their impact known around the world. This is not meant to create fear, but to encourage action while there is still time, even if it is something as small as picking up trash. Everyone has the choice to make an impact and contribute to positive change. The longer society waits to act, the more severe and costly the consequences will become. We all share this planet, and it is our responsibility to protect it so future generations can inherit a healthier world.
