The United Nations released their annual climate change report. The results are alarming. The world’s top scientists in climate change stated that the world has a little over a decade to control climate change and reverse global warming or face catastrophic consequences. This could include a rise in sea level, extreme heat, unprecedented levels of drought and flooding, and wildfires. This could also cause a ripple effect into unthinkable rising poverty.

The effects of climate change are already noticeable. Scientists say the devastating number of hurricanes in the US, the wildfires in California, the rise in humidity level for the Midwest and the melting of the Arctic ice  are all evidence that climate change has already greatly impacted the world. Now, time is running out.

The study by UN also revealed that the world is already 1 degree C higher than in pre-industrial years. The heat across the globe will only continue to rise which could cause more heat-related deaths, a spread of wildfires and a different ecosystem. A different ecosystem not only for humans but for animals.

A newly hired IU assistant professor, Nathaniel Geiger, has a PhD in social psychology from Penn State and currently teaches analytical and social environmental classes at The Media School. He said that animals won’t be able to adjust as quickly or as easily as humans to a new environment. Geiger also said that time is running out and the best way to reverse global warming is to break the “spiral of silence”.

One IU environmental student said there are ways for students and people to get involved.

“There are a lot of resources, just here at IU, that people can get involved with to educate themselves on what is happening. And they can educate themselves on how to prevent it,” Gregory told IU NewsNet.

She also said that reducing carbon footprint, reducing waste, recycling and talking about it are all ways to play a small part in saving our world before it is too late.