As I have gotten older, climate change has become a topic that is talked about more and more. So much awareness has been spread over the dangers of global warming, plastic pollution, deforestation, and so much more. One thing that I don’t find being talked about that often is how climate change is the source of countless other issues. Some of these include poverty, homelessness, and sexism.

Everyone knows that global warming causes the earth to heat up. When the earth warms up this much, natural disasters like hurricanes and floods become even more prevalent in different areas of the world. Usually, they occur in areas that create the least amount of pollution. When areas are flooded or destroyed by hurricanes, they leave a path of destruction. Homes are expensive, and when the foundation of somebody’s house is destroyed because of high sea levels, their only options are the streets or homeless shelters. Items that have sentimental value to people are ruined, along with important legal and financial papers. These disasters that are more climate change induced than natural can cause families financial and living state to plummet.

Not everywhere, but in some places sexism emerges from these disasters as well. People’s whole lives may be destroyed, but they still need food and water. Since women are typically designated to these roles, they spend all their time keeping their families alive rather than focusing on rebuilding their own lives and pursuing their dreams.

Even though it may not seem like it, changing our mindsets and actions to an eco-friendlier lifestyle can help to prevent effects like these. The harmful side effects of global warming won’t change overnight or even in a few years, but if we all consistently change small actions, we will receive big changes that can prevent these disastrous effects.

Image: Yurasits, Brian. “Four plastic bottles on piles of wood on shore photo.” Unsplash, 3 April 2019, https://unsplash.com/photos/four-plastic-bottles-on-piles-of-wood-on-shore-43upsZNmy9Q