Climate Change: Americans Are Getting Pushed Out of Their Homes

The thing about climate change is that not only is it a global crisis, but there’s also a crisis within the crisis: People choose to ignore it. However, when the effects of climate change become visually noticeable, people start to do something. Climate change has affected thousands of Americans, and it’s time they stop turning their heads.

How would you feel if you were forced to move because your house was destroyed? Global warming has been the root of natural disasters that leave many Americans devastated and, sadly, homeless as well. As glaciers melt and sea levels rise, the people of America have no other choice but to move inland, away from a place they once knew as home.

Global warming disasters

Although some scientists don’t think global warming is the root cause of natural disasters – because they’re just that, natural – it is most certainly affecting their strength and frequency. As temperatures continue to rise around the globe, weather-related natural disasters are likely to occur, scientists say. Due to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the Earth gets warmer – and more intense storms are no surprise. As greenhouse gases are continuously emitted into the atmosphere, things are only going to get worse.

It’s predicted that tropical storms will increase in intensity, because of the amount of water vapor going into the atmosphere. It’s like throwing gas into a fire. Not only will this affect tropical storms, but hurricanes will also significantly increase in intensity. Hurricanes, coastal flooding and tropical storms are what’s forcing Americans out of their homes. Climate change is only making it worse.

Individuals need to get on board

The Golden Hammer Award is given to someone who exemplifies the mission of Habitat for Humanity and does something for the greater good. Robert K. Mericle is a recipient of this award for building a home for a family who needed it, but could not afford it. If more people chose to stand up to climate change like Mericle did, there would be many more homes for people who lost or will lose theirs to natural disasters.

This is a great response to climate change and shows Americans helping their fellow Americans. The only way people will survive the devastation of climate change is by banding together. In order to combat climate change, both the people and the government need to get on board.

Entire towns are affected

Shishmaref is a coastal Alaska town with about 650 residents. Due to rising sea levels, this entire town is on the verge of moving. The move would cost about $180 million and leave the village lifeless as it awaits its extinction, destined to eventually be covered by water.

More towns face threats like those faced in Shishmaref, and such threats will grow over the next decade. A house is a home, and so are the towns in which the homes reside. Americans are being told to move to avoid natural disasters. When natural disasters strike, thousands end up homeless. There’s simply not enough government funding to re-home everyone who loses theirs. As more unsafe areas arise throughout the country, more Americans will have no other option but to leave their homes.

Climate change is a treacherous battle the entire world is facing. It’s time American comes together and combats this crisis.

Image credit: Pixabay