The clock counts down on the Metronome in Manhattan, a physical representation of the time we have left until the effects of global warming are irreversible. Currently, we have a little over seven years.

Climate change is a real issue. Decades and decades of damage done by greenhouse gases and burning fossil fuels have finally added up. Air pollution, wildfires, higher temperatures, droughts, floods, heat waves and tropical storms are all effects of this climate change.

As temperatures slowly increase, ice caps melt and sea levels rise. While it may seem that a rise in temperature of a few degrees won’t make such a difference, it all adds up over the years.

Ten tropical storms have hit the United States in 2020 alone, and Hurricane Delta recently touched down in Louisiana. There have been predictions of more hurricanes and tropical storms to come

The leaves are changing, temperatures are fluctuating, and fall is here, but the heat says otherwise. The death toll is rising more and more every day from climate change-related illnesses, including heat strokes, heart and kidney diseases and heat exhaustion.

According to an article published by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), as temperatures begin to rise, “so does the incidence of illness, emergency room visits, and death.”

The Guilfordian strives to encourage our community to educate themselves about global warming and how we are able to save our planet. We can do more by speaking out.

Time is of the essence. We are on a global deadline, slowly approaching an irreparable fate for our planet. The human race must stand up and speak out against the harsh cards that we have dealt ourselves. Our planet is slowly slipping from our hands. What is our next move?

Filling our homes with renewable energy sources, reducing water waste, pulling the plug on idle outlets and decreasing our carbon footprint can really make an impact. Change out your regular light bulbs for LEDs, cut back on water usage and recycle.

The clock is still ticking in New York. More tropical storms are accumulating, wildfires are spreading faster than ever before, air pollution is suffocating us. But we can make a change. We can be the change.