As the Earth’s average temperature continues to rise, the impacts of climate change are becoming stronger. It causes habitats to die out, and animals, including humans, are at high risk for vulnerability to the sun, according to noaa.gov.

Causes
During the 19th century, coal mining industries were at an all-time high. Fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gasses were continuously pumped into the atmosphere due to the factories; causing what is known as the greenhouse effect, according to ourworldindata.org.

When the sun’s light reaches the atmosphere, some of it gets soaked up into Earth by the greenhouse gases, and the rest bounces back into outer space, according to dcceew.gov.au.

A mix of gasses such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium and methane store sunlight in their atoms. This causes pressure to build up, which then leads to excess heat being carried down to Earth. There have also been sightings of holes in the atmosphere, which let more sunlight in, according to science.nasa.gov.

The trapped heat has caused the weather to be irregular. This infrequency makes the temperature have days and even weeks where it is either extremely hot or extremely cold, making a change in the average temperature of Earth. From the early 1900s to now, the global temperature has increased by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit. It is predicted to only get higher, as scientists are assuming it will continue to increase 3 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over the next 100 years, according to climatechange.chicago.gov.

Consequences
Not only are the temperatures rising, but so are sea levels. As a consequence of the greenhouse effect, glaciers are melting. It is estimated that sea levels will increase by one to four feet by the year 2100, averaging about eight inches per year since the 1900s. This is a threat to islanders and ocean life. It is even predicted that parts of south Florida will be underwater by the end of 2050, according to ippc.com.

With the glaciers and ice caps melting rapidly, many animals are also facing consequences of climate change. Polar bears have been spotted looking frail and lost. The melting glaciers affect them because they depend on the cold to find food, raise their young and to find a living space. Two-thirds of the polar bear population could be extinct by 2050 if the greenhouse effect remains under control, according to biologicaldiversity.org.

Polar bears are not the only animals affected by global warming. Sea creatures, like the green sea turtle, are losing their habitats because of the sun’s heat. Temperatures rise and stress out the reefs, which results in them being killed and bleached.

Adding on, when it is hot the turtles swim towards cooler parts of the ocean and vice versa. However, when the waters are all one temperature, it makes it harder for ocean life to live in them. This has caused an estimated 7% decrease in reproduction among the sea turtle species. For animals like sea turtles, when the sand is not of the correct temperature, the reproduction drops due to uncomfortable heat, according to sciencedirect.com.

Solutions
Renewable energy is an energy source that uses natural resources that does not cause harm to the environment. The most popular among the sources are solar energy and hydroelectric power.

Solar energy is the use of sunlight to produce electricity. This is achieved by using solar panels that absorb the light and produce electricity. The average homeowner in the U.S. will save up to $50,000 over the course of 25 years. The energy can be stored and used at any time, so there are no worries about losing electricity during the night, according to energysage.com.

Another affordable alternative is hydroelectric power. These are usually placed under waterfalls or under rivers for enough force. Water flows through a pipe, pushing it against the blades of the turbine then spins a power generator to produce electricity. In the U.S., this is used for about 6.2% of all renewable energy. It is low in cost, only 85 cents per kilowatt, kilowatts are the units of measure for electricity, equaling about $8,500 a year and is simple to set up, according to nationalgeographic.org.

As the challenges of climate change continue, so do the ways of decreasing it. By choosing to walk or ride bikes for short trips, the carbon footprint each person creates reduces. It is not only a great way to keep a healthy heart, but it also gives people a chance to connect with nature.

“We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change, and the last generation who can do something about it,” former president Barack Obama said, according to obamawhitehouse.archives.gov.