☀️How Climate Change Catastrophizes Society
- Tanisha Dharmik
- Jul 1, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Background
In 1938, a steam engineer named Guy Callendar first discovered that global
temperatures of the Earth rose, by utilizing collected weather records and tirelessly
computing everything from scratch. However, scientists at the time blatantly ignored his
words and swept his findings under the rug.
People believed that humans couldn't cause a significant change in something as long-
lasting as the climate; in fact, it sounded ridiculous, right?
Not anymore. In recent times, climate change has been one of the most devastating
changes the Earth is facing, and countless people in the science community have been
painstakingly finding ways to end it, or even better, reverse it completely.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change is, simply put, a change in climate temperature. It’s not the same thing
as the change in weather—climate change refers to the long-term change in climate.
How Climate Change Catastrophizes Society
These shifts are usually natural, due to volcanic events or the Sun. However, since the
1800s, climate change has been driven by human activity, because of fossil fuels.
This, in turn, generates greenhouse gas emissions, which can trap heat inside the
Earth. This would make Earth warmer. The main greenhouse gases that are causing
climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. They come from burning coal,
driving a car, and deforestation.
Environmental Concerns
While it may sound like a small thing when you hear scientists say that “global
temperatures have increased by 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1850”, it can bring
harrowing consequences to Earth.
Even a tiny temperature fluctuation in the climate can melt glaciers and ice sheets.
According to climate.gov, throughout 2024, glaciers have lost more than 27 meters of
water equivalent, which is roughly the same as slicing a 98-foot slab off the top of each
glacier in the network.
Coral reefs are also helpless against the effects of climate change. Due to the rise in
sea level, this can cause sediment to cover corals, leading to their demise. Because of
the temperature rise, the waters could be too warm for corals to flourish in, leading to
coral bleaching.
Fires such as the 2023 Canadian wildfires are due to climate change. Because of
warmer climates, shifting weather patterns, and even increased lightning, forests are
more likely to be set ablaze by these changes alone. Not only does this cause
environmental damage, but this can also provoke a downfall in economic aspects.
How does this affect society?
Climate change doesn’t just affect the environment; it affects the entirety of society.
Because of droughts, which are periods of dry conditions, it can affect the fate of
agriculture and crops and resulting in perished, dried-out crops. This causes a
stagnancy in food production and potentially harms the income of agricultural workers.
Certain groups of people are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change,
such as the poor, elderly, children, and people who live in coastal areas. As climate
change advances the chances of flooding, people residing in maritime areas near the
How Climate Change Catastrophizes Society
coasts are at the greatest risk of danger. An example of this was the 2022 Pakistan
floods, which impacted millions of people. Unfortunately, 1,700 people lost their lives in
the 2022 Pakistan floods, and almost 13,000 were injured. 40% of young children are
enduring stunted growth as families struggle to access food and healthcare.
The energy sector is also at danger in the hands of climate change, especially since it
fuels power for our homes, manufacturing facilities, transportation, and even healthcare.
Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters can trigger disruptions to the energy
supply. Examples of this are:
● Thawing permafrost causes land to sink and compromises fuel pipelines and
other energy infrastructure in regions such as Alaska and the Arctic.
● Higher temperatures and warmth affect water supplies, especially for energy
supplies relying on hydropower, in western countries.
● Energy systems on both the Gulf and East Coasts face more risk of damage from
flooding due to hurricanes and sea level rise.
Climate change can impact the stability of politics and geopolitics, fueling political
violence. Because climate change creates a scarcity of water and poor land fertility,
countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region show instances of political violence
(terrorism in the Sahel, violence between farmers and herders in Nigeria, and ethnic
conflicts in Kenya).
Consequences of Climate Change on People
The impacts of climate change are detrimental to human health, which can exacerbate
the likelihood of developing health risks. These risks are associated with poor air
quality, warming temperatures (in more extreme cases, heat waves), changes in
precipitation, increases in the frequency or intensity of some extreme weather events,
and rising sea levels.
Diseases that can arise due to climate change include cardiovascular disease, asthma,
lung cancer, and injuries related to extreme weather conditions and disasters. This
doesn’t just affect people physically–it can psychologically influence them for the worse.
An example of this is a study done by Emily Hough and Nathaniel Counts, surveying
individuals who suffered through the California Camp Fire of 2018. A whopping 67%
How Climate Change Catastrophizes Society
said that they experience trauma similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
symptoms. If left untreated, these symptoms can last for years on end. This can also
impact people who haven’t gone through a traumatic climate-related disaster; more than
two-thirds of U.S adults report having anxiety related to climate change, and how it
would affect the future.
Climate Change and Ethical Concerns
Ethical concerns have been raised due to climate change, which should be considered
promptly. Some of these include:
● Intergenerational equity - The current policies regarding greenhouse gas
emissions and environmental policies could lead to lasting effects on people who
will live on this planet in the future. This could then raise questions and concerns
about whether future generations would be able to live healthily or have enough
resources for basic needs.
● Environmental justice - People who are living in low-income families and
poverty are the most disadvantaged by climate change; this could then pose
ethical questions about fairness and equal treatment.
● Displacement due to climate change - If weather conditions continue to get
severe, people living in areas that are susceptible to climate-related problems
might be forced to migrate out of their homes. Ethical questions regarding this
have been introduced, such as their rights to enter new lands, and the
responsibilities of countries to provide refuge for climate refugees.
● Corporate and human responsibility - Because corporations and individuals
are usually the direct contributors to greenhouse gas, this poses ethical
questions about the responsibilities they have to reduce the carbon footprint they
have created.
These ethical considerations further highlight the detriment of the current situation
regarding climate change. By co-operating with other countries, taking the initiative to
reduce the carbon footprint, and weighing the well-being of future generations, we will
be able to improve our situation for the better.
Solutions for Climate Change
How Climate Change Catastrophizes Society
Luckily, the power to slow down climate change is in our hands, through simple
countermeasures that everyone should take. One of the most important things we can
do is save energy. Turn off those lights when you’re not using them! Reduce the amount
of air conditioning you use, and switch to energy-efficient electrical appliances.
Another way is to limit driving/riding in cars that burn diesel or gasoline. Instead, using
public transport such as the buses or metros, or even using a bicycle to commute,
makes a difference. If you have the money, switch to an electric car. This reduces
greenhouse gas emissions and, as a result, hinders the effects of climate change.
Reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling are straightforward but powerful ways to
combat climate change. As we buy new electronics and clothes, we concurrently cause
more carbon emissions from the production of the materials used to make these
products. Instead, try shopping second-hand, such as from thrift stores. Recycle items
such as plastic, glass, and paper/cardboard.
Final Thoughts
Climate change is catastrophic to both the environment and society. Nevertheless, it’s
not the end of the world.
Until an efficient, long-term solution comes into place, climate change is our
responsibility. Incorporating positive habits in our daily lives, educating others about the
risk and the significance of this phenomenon, and encouraging them to uphold these
behaviors is our best chance at a stable climate for years to come.
How Climate Change Catastrophizes Society
Sources:
UK Research and Innovation. (2021, October 21). A brief history of climate
change discoveries. Www.discover.ukri.org; UK Research and Innovation.
discoveries/index.html
Lindsey, R., & Dahlman, L. (2025, May 29). Climate Change: Global
Temperature. Climate.gov; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
global-temperature
LINDSEY, R. (2024, May 10). Climate Change: Mountain Glaciers | NOAA
Climate.gov. Www.climate.gov; NOAA. https://www.climate.gov/news-
features/understanding-climate/climate-change-mountain-glaciers
British Red Cross. (2022, December 6). Climate change in Pakistan and
devastating floods: latest news. British Red Cross.
change-and-pakistan-flooding-affecting-millions
US EPA. (2022, October 19). Climate Change Impacts on Energy.
energy
Credendo. (2022, March 24). Climate change increases social-political and
geopolitical risks in the medium to long term. Credendo.
political-and-geopolitical-risks-medium-long-term
Hough, E., & Counts, N. (2023, March 29). How Climate Change Affects Our
Mental Health, and What We Can Do About It. The Commonwealth Fund.
climate-change-affects-mental-health
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