Losing Our Ability to Breathe
By: Emma Shearer
Have you ever been in a small room or under a blanket, and suddenly you found it difficult to breathe? By the end of the century, this could become an everyday reality, due to the rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Scarily enough, the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels can effect ones ability to think clearly. “By the end of the century, people could be exposed to indoor CO2 levels up to 1400 parts per million—more than three times today’s outdoor levels, and well beyond what humans have ever experienced” (Science Daily).
Currently, the atmospheric CO2 levels are 407.4 parts per million (NOAA). “ Carbon dioxide levels today are higher than at any point in at least the past 800,000 years” (NOAA). I think most of us would agree that this isn’t surprising. Talks of climate change swarm the media constantly as headlines scream that “Earth Only Has 50 Years Left”. While natural climate change is normal, we are heading down a path that is irreversible. “In fact, the last time the atmospheric CO2 amounts were this high was more than 3 million years ago, when temperature was2°–3°C (3.6°–5.4°F) higher than during the pre-industrial era, and sea level was 15-25 meters (50-80 feet) higher than today.
What’s scary about this whole situation is that the rising CO2 levels can affect more than just the environment. “Put simply, when we breathe air with high CO2 levels, the CO2 levels in our blood rise, reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches our brains. Studies show that this can increase sleepiness and anxiety, and impair cognitive function” (Science Daily). Another interesting thing that has come to light is that due to the advancement of building, there is less exchange between outdoor oxygen and indoor CO2, which is causing the same effect that the rise in atmospheric CO2 does (World Economic Form).
Scientists are sort of stuck on solutions to this problem. Because it’s been going on for decades, they have researched for an answer, without much luck. What are possible solutions to the rise of CO2 levels? Do you think the levels will rise enough to affect us in our lifetimes? What are some ideas to decrease the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.
7 comments:
I had no idea about the effects of CO2 emissions on our daily lives aside from climate change. It is scary to think one day we will struggle to sleep and live normal lives due to the amount of CO2. This makes me wonder what the lives are of people in Shanghai and Beijing. When I went there, we were told to constantly wear masks and we would basically see smog everywhere we went. I wonder how little sleep those people are getting and how difficult it must be to live normal lives. I think the Green New Deal can help us avoid this future.
Although I knew that CO2 had a vast impact on our environment, I had no idea that it affected this much of our daily life. It is mind boggling that we will one day struggle to breath. This will impact so much, and it will become difficult to live our daily lives. I wonder how the world's scientists are going to combat this issue. Also it will be interesting to see how the world's politicians are going to come together and attempt to resolve this global crisis. I am not going to lie, I am a quite scared for the future.
This is a very interesting topic! I do think eventually CO2 levels will rise and affect humanity and our environment tremendously. I think with more research on the reduction of CO2, we can finally figure out a solution that can reduce CO2 immensely. I think politicians advocating for different solutions can help find a way to implement the reduction of CO2. I think expanding forests and restoring forests can also help with the removal of carbon. Also, enacting better farming techniques may also help with this issue.
I had no idea CO2 could make it difficult to breathe. It is scary to think that in the future every breath of air we take will be a struggle. I hope we are some how able to reverse the effects we have made on our environment before it is too late. We are maturing into a dying world, and honestly, I have no idea how to fix it. We can plant more trees, reduce carbon emissions, and do everything that scientists have been begging for us to do, but will it be enough? Will we be able to repair the damage that has already done? Or have past generations successfully doomed our generation and the generations to come?
At the current rate of increase, I believe that CO2 emissions have the potential to greatly affect us in our lifetimes. However, I had no idea that this issue could affect our sleep quality and cognitive function. In terms of long-term solutions, I don’t think that there is one single path to solving this problem. It will take a multitude of strategies to reach citizens and their opinion on the matter. Ultimately, I think that legislation and education are two potential solutions that can help improve the issue of increased CO2 emissions.
I am of the belief that one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions is to impose a carbon tax worldwide. Sadly industry looks out for itself and wants to maximize profit and so cuts corners. By imposing a carbon tax, it will actually save businesses money to reduce their carbon footprint and in doing so will save the planet. I think that if some major changes aren't implemented now or in the very near future, it will soon become too late to make the changes that need to happen. We have nearly run out of time to start making changes in our day to day lives for the better. One way to reduce the amount of Co2 that is already in the atmosphere is to create carbon scrubbers that pull it from the atmosphere as well as pant new forests. Forests hold carbon for decades and pull it from the atmosphere while releasing O2. These forests can serve as long term storage for the excess problem as well as reduce the albedo of the earth.
I’ve always known about the abuse human beings have on our environment by the burying of fossil fuels which results in excess CO2 in the atmosphere. Although this will greatly affect humans, I believe that it will only take a toll on future generations. I believe that our planet will be able to take the toll of these effects for a good amount of years from now. Also, I believe the best way of coming up with a solution to this problem is long gone. There is no stopping big business and corporations from doing what they are doing now; the masses also require the need fro this due to production.
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