Global Warming & Food

I am sure that everyone has heard of the issue that is global warming at least once or twice before the lecture we heard in class. When I was younger I often heard it debated whether global warming was even a real thing or not. Today, though, there is enough evidence for people to say that the Earth is in fact warming, so now the debate has become: What is causing this warming?

The guest who came in to talk about global warming (I apologize for forgetting his name) stated that some people think the warming is due to natural variation. Our guest was quick to point out, though, that this couldn't be the cause of the current warming. Just because warming happened previously does not mean that this current warming is caused by the same thing.

He said that there are two ways that this current trend of warming is different than any we have had in the past 800,000 years:
1. It's happening 10-20 times faster
2. It's happening while solar input is decreasing - which means that we have actually been receiving less energy/heat from the sun

So, natural variation and increased solar input are both excuses that we can just cross out now. It is far more likely, and I am far more willing to accept, actually, that global warming is caused by us. The humans. The ones who like to use fossil fuels and pollute and waste energy.

We need to wake up and start taking action soon. Some of the charts of the future of our planet that the guest speaker showed us were disturbing. These changes are apparently already starting to affect our crops, with a decrease in global yields of wheat and corn that has been occurring since 1960.

As individuals we can start making a difference by conserving energy through purchasing more fuel efficient cars and investing in triple pane windows to better seal the heat in our homes in the winter. These are only actions that delay the future outcome of our world, though. In order to make a real change we need to start looking more into things like solar and wind energy, but we also need to start voting people into office that support these ideas. We can be the change if we care enough.