William DeVincenzi, director of San Jose State’s Sbona Honors program and Thompson Global Internship program, told students over Zoom about the vast dangers of climate change and proposed possible solutions.
“We need to take action now,” DeVincenzi said at the Climate Crisis event held Wednesday.
In his three-part presentation, DeVincenzi highlighted the environmental, social and economical effects of climate change and what people must do to combat climate change.
He began by discussing the physical effects of global warming that U.S. states are exhibiting because of excessively warm
or cold temperatures.
According to DeVincenzi, the polar vortex, cold air that swirls around the North Pole that stays in the area, is dividing because of hotter temperatures moving north of Asia.
Not only does this cause weather abnormalities such as excessive flooding and frozen environments, but it also influences the lack of abundance in basic necessities, DeVincenzi said.
“For each [degree change in] Celsius, there are decreases in [maize, wheat, rice and soy], which is two thirds of the human caloric intake,” he said.
Climate change causes loss of nutrients and prolonged droughts, which lower the amount of crops produced. DeVincenzi said these phenomena are becoming more of a problem as the global population is “climbing precipitously.”
As the demand for crops rises, so does the need for water, which is becoming scarce because of rising sea levels.
“Due to heat issues, [there are] more extreme weather events, infectious diseases, air pollution and allergens for people who suffer from asthma,” DeVincenzi said. “We’re at risk of losing up to 50% of all land-based species.”
Climate change is not only detrimental to the environment, but also to the world’s economic status, he said.
“Here are some things that you don’t see in the cost: political instability, wildfires, drought, storm damage, climate refugees all over the planet trying to find a place to live and grow crops,” DeVincenzi said. “Effectively the World Economic Forum considers [climate change] to be the number one threat to the global economy.”
In November 2019, President Donald Trump announced the U.S.’s formal intent to withdraw from the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, a United Nations agreement regarding climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the U.S. cannot effectively withdraw before November 4, 2020, four years after the agreement came into effect in the U.S. DeVincenzi said this possible withdrawal would cause devastating environmental consequences and he encouraged those who want to protect the planet to vote for a presidential candidate accordingly.
In the case of the U.S. pulling back from the Climate Accord, 25 states led by California, New York and Washington have formed the United States Climate Alliance with goals to “obey and stay within the construct of the Paris Accord,” DeVincenzi said.
He also provided insight on how students can take part in protecting the environment by joining environmental organizations and educating themselves on the Green New Deal.
“So, going solar or driving electric, opt up to 100% renewable energy . . . get involved in a youth strike,” DeVincenzi said. “Use your voice. Use your vote. Use your choices and speak truth to power like your world depends on it because your world depends on it.”
