Damage+to+Great+Barrier+Reef+From+Global+Warming+is+Irreversible,+Scientists+Say

[|New York Times] April 19, 2018

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/world/australia/australia-barrier-reef.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

Summary
In 2016, ocean temperatures spiked as a result of global warming, which caused 1/3 of the Great Barrier Reef to be killed. The damage to the reef has significantly altered the thousands of species that live in the habitat. The researchers estimated the amount of coral that had died immediately and returned nine months later to see how many corals had regained their color and how many died, They report a huge die-off on the northern part of the reef. Scientists say that if countries followed the procedures in the Paris climate accord, Australia would still have the Great Barrier Reef in 50 years, even if it would look different. If greenhouse gas emissions continue, the reef will become severely damaged and will look unrecognizable.

Relation to Course
This relates to APES because we have learned that human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture, deforestation, an the use of CFCs, has increased levels of greenhouse gases since 1958 (Miller 501). This article shows how increased temperatures from greenhouse gas emissions can damage wildlife life and harm species.

Opinion
After reading this article, I feel that we should put more effort into reducing greenhouse gas emissions and finding more ways to use renewable energy sources that would decrease the pollutants and greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. It is important that we start actively addressing climate change instead of trying to convince ourselves that it is fake because if we don't act now, we may cause irreversible damage to the environment.

Environmental Law
This article relates to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, which sets energy/conservation standards for certain major household appliances an requires the DOE to administer an energy conservation program for these products. This act can potentially control amount of polluting energy sources we use and limit the amount of greenhouse emissions, which would slow global warming.