Schwab 1

Abby Schwab

Professor Dean Leonard

English 1201

23 May 2019

Research Proposal:

How has Earth’s climate changed over the years, and how can humans reduce the effects

of global warming? I first became interested in climate change when I was watching a Planet

Earth documentary and saw all the impact that a few degrees could have. The program explained

what climate change exactly was and how not only icebergs, polar bears, and penguins were

being affected, but rather the whole world. Many points in this documentary were displeasing but

the most were how human activities are the main cause for the sudden increase in temperature.

Emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and

land-use change are just a few of the activities that are destroying the environment due to

humans. Many scientists are saying that climate change could increase the temperature all around

the world by four to eight degrees by the end of the century. There are many ways that humans

can help decrease the effects, but they are not as cost effective as some want them to be.

I feel that there needs to be more coverage on climate change and people need to find a

balance between bettering the environment and doing it in a cost-effective way. I find it very

unsettling how many animals are losing their homes and are having to move to different

locations where the same issue takes place. I think as I research this topic I will find more

accounts of how the climate is drastically different than it was years ago. I also was to discover

different ways to help eliminate the causes of climate change and have more detail into how

humans can make a difference to help the environment. This is what I know about climate
 Schwab 2

change and the different ways to prevent it. Climate change is when Earth’s climate system

results in new weather patterns that last for at least three decades. The climate system includes

the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. When a few or all of these

are affected then the Earth’s climate begins to change. There are many ways to reduce the effects

of damage to the tiers of climate change, but they may not be the cheapest or easiest. Although, it

is necessary in order to conserve the way the different ecosystems operate.

As I begin to research my topic, I know that I must find out if there are specific reasons

for the change in climate or if it is something out of our control. I would also like to find out how

if humanity does have a role, the ways that humans can reverse the effects we have done to the

planet. I would like to know how long the Earth’s climate has been changing and whether or not

it will speed up or slow down the process. The answer to these questions can be found on the

internet, in different articles, by watching documentaries, and by reading books. I am very

intrigued to know how the world will look and function if the rate of climate change continues.