Extinction by Degrees: The Cost of Global Warming
The author is a Year 9 student (8th Grade equivalent in the US) attending Wycombe Abbey in the High Wycombe, United Kingdom.
This story is part of The 89 Percent Project, an initiative of the global journalism collaboration with Covering Climate Now.
“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last that can do something about it.” – Barack Obama
What could be the cause of a catastrophe strong enough to collapse ecosystems, cause mass extinctions, deadly heatwaves, and irreversible change to animal and human life alike? Perhaps a deadly virus, nuclear radiation, or even self-aware AI systems taking over the world? Well, the answer is often much simpler than that, disguised under the title of a minor human crisis. An issue the government occasionally brings up in conferences, where no real actions are taken. By now, I think you already know, the crisis in question is global warming.
Global climate change refers to large-scale, long-term shifts in Earth's climate, atmosphere, land, water, and ecosystems, driven primarily by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Ever since the mid-20th century, overconsumption of harmful products and human activities has released huge amounts of greenhouse gases. These gases mainly consist of carbon dioxide and methane, which trap heat and lead to a rapid increase in global temperature. Not only do they cause temperature change, but they also disrupt weather patterns and cause erratic seasonal changes, leading to extreme weather events, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels. See here for more.
Studies by the United Nations Sustainable Development programme shows that 80 to 89 percent of people around the world care about climate change and want their government to do something about it. The 89 Percent Project, inspired by these statistics, is a new initiative launched by journalists advocating for a brighter future for generations to come. I believe that the government should put aside the constant fight for more land, money, power, and resources, and unite as one to address this vital concern. As author Howard Zinn says, “small acts when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world.”
As an animal enthusiast, it greatly upsets me to see how much damage has been done to the wildlife in less than a century. From savannahs to jungles, to ice and coral reefs, every single inch of earth is facing the consequences of human action alongside us. Arctic sea ice shrinking by 13% per decade since 1979, meaning polar bears, seals, and penguins are losing breeding and hunting grounds.
Photo courtesy of Andreas Weith
With ice vanishing, Arctic and Antarctic animals and polar bears are forced to swim hundreds of kilometers to fight for survival. In one recorded example, a polar bear swam for 687 kilometers continuously for nine days, losing 22% of her body weight – and her one year-old cub in the process.
Similarly, the top 700 meters of the ocean have warmed by 0.2 degrees Celsius since 1969, and in freshwater biomes, lakes are warming by 0.34 degrees Celsius per decade. This results in changes to fish migration, oxygen levels, and even direct effects on animal populations. Boreal forests are experiencing more frequent wildfires and insect outbreaks, with the Amazon rainforest alone losing millions of hectares annually due to fire, drought, and deforestation, with some areas eventually turning into savannas. Meanwhile, animals in deserts and grasslands are more exposed than ever to the sun and extreme heat, with animals fighting to find water for basic survival. Scientists show that the Sahara has grown by 10% since 1920, due to global warming and irregular rainfall.
Between 2009 and 2018, the world lost about 14% of its coral from coral reefs. Photo by Danielle.ihde
Not only does global warming change landscapes across Earth, but it also causes biodiversity loss. Research shows that if the global temperature rises by two degrees Celsius, up to 18% of land species could face extinction, including emperor penguins, snow leopards, bumblebees, and even koalas. Overall, global warming is slowly but surely destroying Earth’s landscape, life, nature, and even our favourite animals in front of our eyes. If no action is taken, the state of the ecolife and ecosystems will only deteriorate.
Do you consider yourself an animal? Perhaps not, for maybe you believe humans have a higher IQ, having the ability to create and utilise advanced tools alongside complex symbolic language, making us seem more advanced compared to other “animals”. However, biologically, humans are actually still animals, classified as mammals. This means not only do the changes global warming makes to Earth affect wildlife, but eventually also us humans. If we do not amalgamate and utilise our ability of advanced technology with critical thinking, eventually the ecosystem will collapse under our own consequences.
Global warming causes huge food chain disruption, with pollinators like bees and butterflies slowly going extinct due to heat and habitat loss. This causes crops like fruit and vegetables to suffer, including plantations worldwide. Furthermore, fish populations are slowly declining due to coral bleaching or migrating irregularly away from millions who rely on seafood as income and food. As mentioned, coral reefs are home to thousands of species, protecting coastlines from violent ocean waves. Loss of corals increases flood risks and leaves tourists and economies on land more vulnerable. Last but not least, new bacteria, mosquitoes, and ticks are brought by irregular animal migration and the expansion of warmer regions. This increases the likelihood of illnesses being transmitted from wildlife to humans, as seen with COVID-19. Wildlife are early indicators of environmental collapse, and ignoring these early signs can risk our own chances of survival.
By now, you might already think that this is devastating, that climate change is an inevitable process of human history and nature. Many still believe this generation has fallen victim to previous actions, and all the damage that is done is irreversible. However, the truth is quite the opposite, and to make the world a better environment to live in, we can start with ourselves. Wanting to buy that trendy dress whilst your closet is bursting full? Well, fast fashion and overconsumption contribute greatly to pollution.
Annually, around 92 million tonnes of clothing and textile waste are generated globally. Instead, turn to renewing or donating your clothes, as well as buying from more sustainable brands and products such as Patagonia and Everlane. Do you eat meat every single meal, or perhaps every day? Over 350 million tonnes of meat are consumed each year, with some countries even consuming 148 kg of meat per person annually. Livestock farming produces large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, helping trap heat.
How methane is released into the atmosphere.
Research shows that even though meat is a good source of protein, iron, and vitamin B12, you do not need to consume meat every single meal. Instead, swap it out for something more sustainable, such as legumes, tofu, nuts, eggs, and dairy alongside fortified foods. These give you a much healthier and more eco-friendly option for a balanced and protein-packed meal, alongside other benefits such as extra minerals and fibre. Don’t feel like taking a fifteen-minute walk to the local market and decide to drive a car? Research shows that a typical passenger car alone releases around 4.6 metric tons of CO2 each year. That's 3.3 billion metric tons of CO2 globally released by cars alone! Instead, vie for a healthier option, both for you and the environment. You could walk to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, alongside many other benefits, cycle, or even take public transport if necessary to reduce your carbon footprint.
Even though replacing that plastic straw with a metal one or walking that extra step might seem achievable, trying to spark governmental change might seem impossible. This is why you should partake in campaigns like The Climate Coalition and legal action from Friends of the Earth and ClientEarth, which have pushed the government into action, while research such as the 89 Percent Project and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provides scientific evidence and published compositions. Remember, Wael Ghonim once stated, “The power of people is stronger than the people in power.”
We are separated by borders and land but united by our love and passion to advocate with our voice and protect the earth we all live in; together we can make some pretty impactful changes. From banning fossil fuels and investing in renewables, to protecting forests and oceans for nature to absorb CO2, we can also prepare the earth for future climate adaptation and support climate-friendly farming by setting strong climate laws and carbon limits. Change always seems impossible, until it is accomplished.
In conclusion, I wish to see the world a better place, maybe not by my own eyes but through the eyes of my children, and my children's children. We are always living in the consequences of our own actions, and my dream growing up was to be an ecologist and nature journalist. Ever since I mastered basic human language, I started writing and drawing. My first ever book character was a polar bear named Pat, waiting for his father by an igloo until the sun sets, which it never will. After that, I cannot recall how many stories I have written or drawn. However, my favourite animals and biomes are disappearing and facing destruction before my own eyes, and so are the dreams and inspiration of many, many young minds.
I wish for the future generations to see the wonders we are writing about today, not only through paper or memories left behind, but through their very own eyes.
How will it feel one day, telling your children or grandchildren about leopards, rhinos, and polar bears, watching their eyes sparkle with wonder?
“Why didn’t you do something,” they will ask, and you will just sit there. “Why didn't you take action, make a difference, big or small, when there was still time?”
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children” says a Native American Proverb. So please, I am asking you to protect my dreams in favour of future generations to come, and for them to be able to see the beautiful world through rose coloured glasses and be able to live out such wild dreams. Change isn’t about suddenly making huge progress in one go and reversing all the damage humanity has ever made. However, together, one by one, we can alter the way future generations will see the world by beginning with you. Remember, in a gentle way, you can shake the world.
Extinction by Degrees: The Cost of Global Warming © 2025 by Youth Environmental Press Team is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visithttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
