How To Prepare For Global Warming

Prepare For Global Warming

Global warming has an immense impact on climate change! From wildfire to heavy rainfall & temperature rise can be computed due to an excessive change in our environment via the greenhouse effect. Although we can’t stop global warming as an individual, each of us can play a significant role to control somehow or at least save ourselves if the disaster erupts. If you live near a forest, coastal area, or where heavy rains have become a new norm, you should have basic skills to prepare for climate change. But, before jumping to the tips and tricks, let’s have some background of global warming and why we need to prepare?

What Is Global Warming?

Global warming is defined as the consistent rise in the earth’s average temperature. It is not the same thing as and contributes to climate change. The change that occurs in the earth’s average weather over an extended period. Over the last several thousand years, it’s only risen by about two degrees Fahrenheit, but that’s changed over the last century or so.

Causes Of Global Warming!

During the industrial revolution of the early 1800s, humans started to burn huge amounts of fossil fuel like coal and oil to power factories and mills; ever since we have used enormous amounts of fossil fuel to make electricity and provide energy for transportation.
The burning of these fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere. As a result, our fossil fuel use has increased the percentage of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere enough to function as a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gas acts like glass in a greenhouse by trapping heat below the atmosphere. As a result, in just 100 years, the average global temperature has risen by about 1. 3 degrees Fahrenheit.

Impact Of Global Warming On Earth

This warning, however, has drastically affected the earth’s glaciers, and large areas of sea ice have begun to melt. Besides this, rising ocean temperatures have caused some sea life to search for cooler waters.  Scientists also noticed an increase in the number and intensity of hurricanes & tornadoes.
Over the next 100 years, scientists predict that the earth’s temperature will rise as much as another five degrees Fahrenheit. Groups that study and protect our environment are working with scientists to find solutions for this growing problem. But as an individual, how can we get ready to acquire measures against global warming? Let’s find it right below!

Why Do We Need To Get Prepare For Global Warming?

According to data from NASA’s study on global climate change, our planet has experienced its four warmest years between 2015 and 2018 since modern record-keeping began in 1880. One of the mini casualties of an increase in warming temperature is that our polar ice caps are melting at a higher rate in the last 20 years than in the previous 10,000.

Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington DC, has once said that we are the first generation to feel the sting of climate change, and we are the last generation that can do something about it.”

The melting of the polar ice caps is already impacting the weather patterns worldwide; in early September of 2019, a hurricane of category 5 devastated the Bahamas, making it the strongest storm to hit the country. Droughts and wildfires are also becoming more frequent worldwide, especially in regions like the state of California, where we have seen an increase in the length and intensity of the fire season.
With excessive data already pointing to the inevitable conclusions by peer-reviewed studies within the scientific community, all signs point to a devastating future. When it comes to measures, we are doing almost nothing to at least minimize the impact at its early stages.
Just like many out there, you also don’t know what to do if the situation deteriorates so badly that the world’s food production can no longer support its citizens. Thereby the question must be asked what I can do now to prepare.

Preparing For Global Warming

Preparing for global warming is not a one-size-fits-all approach since the effects that you will experience will depend significantly on your region. Some regions will have to deal with the rising sea levels, while others will experience more frequent and extreme heat. Some would also experience droughts and stronger wildfires, while others severe and frequent rain. Let’s look at your options based on the region you live in.

Rising Sea Level

If you live in a coastal community, rising sea levels are your primary concern. The average global sea level has consistently grown at less than a centimeter every year over the past century. But in recent decades. But in recent decades, a rise in sea level has increased.
Here are some tips to help you in preparation if you live in these areas.
The first thing you need to do is determine if your home and community will be affected by the rising sea level. Next, you must look at other important locations in your area like grocery stores, hospitals, fire departments, etc. Your home may not be affected as much. Still, if these essential locations in your city or town are impacted by rising sea levels, especially during storms, then you may want to reconsider moving to higher ground.
You may also reconsider hiring a professional to elevate your house to raise its height and prevent water from entering. You can also check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines prepared for communities living near the coastal areas.

Hotter Summers

As we have mentioned earlier, global warming is causing the earth to become hotter. Which has become a norm in the last few years as record-breaking heatwaves have impacted many parts of the world. But, if you think more sizzling summer means more time at the beach, then you are wrong! Extreme heat is hazardous to your health and can occur without any warning.
Here are some ways you can prepare for the hotter summer!
Prepare your home first! Prepare your home so that you can keep it cool during extreme heatwaves. Cover windows with curtains and consider getting energy-efficient windows installed as they help regulate temperatures inside your house.
If you don’t have the budget to replace your windows, you can reflect heat outside using something as simple as cardboard covered in aluminum foil. You can also pick up the reflective window film at your local hardware store.
Check the insulation in your home! Your local home inspector or home depot usually offers a free in-home evaluation to help determine whether adding more insulation will help.
Installing air condition in your home will keep your house cool, but they are not cheap to add or operate. If you cannot afford them, you can install more powerful fans to help regulate the temperature.

Drought & Wildfires

Wildfires are becoming more frequent, and global warming is being blamed as one of the major culprits. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the planet’s warming has changed and the moisture and precipitation level is making dry areas drier. However, this has increased the likelihood of droughts and wildfires. This is why you need to get prepared, especially if you are living in a wildfire-prone area.
Here are some tips that will help you to get prepared!
You first need to prepare your home since a well-prepared home can increase the chances of getting burned down. First of all, create a defensible space retrofit with fireproof materials.  Each member of the family should also know where the emergency tools are located. Moreover, each member should learn to shut off the electricity, gas, and water supply connections.
You should also have multiple options to escape, especially if authorities recommend you to evacuate. It would be best if you had an emergency bag ready. Remember that time is crucial in such situations.

Extreme & Frequent Rain

As we have mentioned earlier, the precipitation and moisture level of the planet has changed, increasing the likelihood of droughts occurring in certain parts of the world. According to an article published on the NOAA climate website, the US is experiencing an increase in heavy rain, which is likely to continue. Therefore, the country should prepare for it!
There are some tips that you can do to help prepare for extreme and frequent rains.
First, you need to make sure that your home is ready for heavy downpours. Then, check your roofs for any holes or damages to make the necessary repairs. Inspect the drainage system as well and make sure to clean the dust and debris from pipes so that water can flow freely.
In the next term, inspect your doors and windows and make sure that their sealing is perfect. You should also need to be prepared when it comes to supplies. Ensure all the essential goods, food & water supply, and medicines are in stock for at least two weeks or more.

Refugees

Another thing you need to prepare for is the possibility that you and your family will be displaced. With all these extreme weather disasters waiting to happen due to global warming, it’s not a far-fetched idea to think that there is a possibility that you will be displaced from your home. If you have noticed, several preparation tips we have discussed, like having in the evacuation plan. If that happens, you and your family would need to know what to do!
Here are some tips that you can uphold in such a situation.
The first thing you need to do is have a safety plan to find in advance. Having a plan will ensure each family member what to do regardless of the situation or scenario. Make sure that the plan also includes a possibility that you are not together when disaster strikes.  Also, identify possible shelters where you can stay and all the routes you can take to get there.
Have a checklist of all the items and supplies you will need to ensure that you have everything. You should all, at a minimum, learn basic survival skills like starting a fire and cleaning water, etc. Having these skills will come in handy during the disaster, especially if each member is separated.

Wrap Up

Always keep yourself hydrated during heat waves and lessen your intake of coffee and tea, which only cause your body to excrete more water. Read up on heat-induced illnesses, so you can quickly identify the symptoms and take action. Besides this, avoid going out when it’s hot, although it may sound obvious. Try to find new ways to work outdoors in the morning and evening to avoid being in temperatures that could threaten your health.

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