Debate: Should we protect the environment?
Side: Yes

ALSO................. What should I know about climate change?Great question! Here are 11 facts about Global Warming that will help you understand why the Paris Agreement is crucial.Global warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to greenhouse gases that collect in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up.Greenhouse gases keep heat close to the earth’s surface making it livable for humans and animals. However, global warming is happening largely due to an over-emittance of these gases and fossil fuels (natural oil, gasoline, coal).With the start of industry in the 1700's, humans began emitting more fossil fuels from coal, oil, and gas to run our cars, trucks, and factories. By driving a “smarter” car, you will not only save on gas, but help prevent global warming.There is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than at any point in the last 800,000 years.Though Americans make up just 4 percent of the world's population, we produce 25 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution from fossil-fuel burning -- by far the largest share of any country.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has both the authority and responsibility to reduce pollution from electric power plants under the Clean Air Act, the nation's bedrock air pollution law adopted in 1970.Since 1870, global sea levels have risen by about 8 inches.Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner.Heat waves caused by global warming present greater risk of heat-related illness and death, most frequently among people who have diabetes who are elderly or are very young.According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the temperature in the U.S. has increased by 2 degrees in the last 50 years and precipitation has increased by 5%.Global warming puts coral reefs in danger as the ocean warms, scientist fear that coral reefs will not be able to adapt quickly enough to the resulting changing conditions, and bleaching incidents and diseases will increaseWhat is the Paris Agreement? In 2015, almost every country in the world -- 195 countries in total -- agreed to the Paris Agreement, the first global pact to combat climate change by setting goals to reduce their country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Obama Administration, the US pledged to cut its carbon pollution by 26-28% by 2025.What’s the impact of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement? Pulling out of the Paris Agreement jeopardizes the health and safety of every single American. Leaving the treaty means greater health risks such as increases in asthma attacks, heart attacks, and lung cancer; a reduction in global economic competitiveness; and a threat to our national security. Our friends at Indivisible break it all down here.Who has already signed on to the We Are Still In statement? In addition to tons of mayors, college/university presidents, businesses and investors, governors from California, Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington have signed onto the pledge. For a full list, visit We Are Still In.Are there any other countries other than the United States that are not part of the Paris Agreement? Syria and Nicaragua are the only other two countries that did not sign the Paris Agreement. Syria chose to not enter the agreement because the country is in the middle of a devastating civil war, and Nicaragua refused to join because its leaders wanted the deal to be even more ambitious and aggressive in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While Americans make up just over 4% of the world’s population, we are responsible for almost 1/3 of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We should be doing our part to fight climate change, as we are a major culprit.I heard that the US can’t formally leave the agreement until 2020. Is that true? As Indivisible states, “The provisions of the agreement mean that the decision announced on June 1st won’t become official until November 2020. Although Trump’s announcement won’t take immediate legal effect, in practice the US will immediately become an international pariah. We will lose credibility internationally, we will face an immediate diplomatic backlash, and we will lose jobs in the process.”What causes climate change? Earth is wrapped in a layer of greenhouse gases. This layer acts like a blanket, keeping the earth warm and shielding it from the cold of universe. When fossil fuels -- coal, oil and natural gas -- are burned, they release CO2 into the atmosphere. This causes the layer of greenhouse gases to get thicker, which makes the Earth warmer. Learn more here.