The ninth-grade class this year once again held a climate change summit where all students were a part of a country or nation.

Each country had to debate and problem solve with each other to attempt to drop the increase of global temperature to 2 degrees celsius. The members of the developing nations group tried their best to help bring down the global temperature increase below their goal, but it made it very hard for them because they did not have the resources to help as much as they were willing to. Other countries then gave them money, so they could reach these goals.

China and developed nations, on the other hand, refused to give money and help, but with negotiations changed their mind. Throughout the summit, the E.U. and U.S. were closely connected and in an alliance. Although this was not the most realistic summit, the ninth-grade class managed to get to 1.6 degrees celsius, 0.4 degrees below their goal.

The question now is: What are we going to do today to make this change? How are we going to come together and not argue or bicker over conflicts that rank far below the main problem, getting the global temperature increase to become below 2 degrees Celsius? Greenhouse gasses are also negatively affecting the Earth’s climate. Yes, there are supposed to be greenhouse gases to balance things out and help the environment, but now it has harmed it. Those in poverty have a higher chance of becoming ill due to exposure. Many in poverty will start losing their homes, property, not getting enough access to food, clothing, etc. because of global warming and the change of the climate.

There will be food shortages, extreme precipitation, hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, fires, etc., which the ninth-graders saw happened throughout the summit. Those who are wealthier have access to more resources and can re-build, those who are below middle class are more vulnerable to those changes.  

It isn’t just a local problem going around, it’s a global problem. It’s like a pandemic; therefore, we must do better.