Reporter | Emma Croxford 

Global warming is the warming of the planet’s overall temperature and climate. The temperature of the planet has increased over the past hundred years by 1.0 degrees. Although this does not seem like a lot, the effects are becoming dangerous and harmful to the planet and those living on it. These effects are forest fires, severe weather, melting glaciers, warming oceans, and droughts.  Recently, a project, called the Willow Project, is being re-evaluated by President Biden. The project includes selling Alaska for oil drilling. Although this will increase job opportunities and support America’s energy security, it will also release 278 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That much carbon dioxide will cause the earth to heat up even faster. Drilling for oil in Alaska will also kill off many animals because of the loss of their environment. Polar bears live in Alaska and the Willow Project would affect them greatly. 

Humans are causing the earth to warm, and animals are suffering the consequences. Global warming is affecting animals in negative ways. Polar bears are commonly at the center of the issue when talking about the effects of global warming, due to their ice melting and breaking. This is destroying their climate and overall living habits. Although polar bears are suffering from global warming, there are other animals suffering as well. Many animals are losing their habitats and experiencing a decrease in food. This leads to less reproduction, quicker deaths, and eventual endangerment of the population. Some animals suffering from global warming that are not as frequently talked about are salmon, puffin, and moose. Water warming has greatly affected salmon. Salmon need a cold water environment to thrive best in. With the warming waters, the salmon population numbers have been severely decreasing. Puffins, as well as salmon, are having a decrease in population due to water warming. 

If people do not take action soon, there will be serious consequences. In fact, there will be a good possibility that most animals talked about in this article will be extinct. Humans will continue to die from the dangerous changing weather, and the world will continue to heat. If we don’t help now, our earth will deteriorate and it will soon be too late for action.