For a real-life example of the impact climate change and global warming has, look no farther than our home, the United States. (if you’re American that is).

At times, I can even find myself struggling to make connections between climate change and my life, personally. Photos like this one, however, remind us that the effects of climate change are being seen right now, right here at home. As the Earth warms, and ice around the planet melts, scenes such as this, with the Atlantic Ocean swallowing a coastal Maryland road, will unfortunately become more and more familiar.

While the United States has the land and infrastructure to support thousands of people that will potentially be forced from their homes, the same cannot be said for the rest of the planet. Homes, businesses, roads, and farms will be swallowed and destroyed in third-world countries, and elsewhere, forcing millions of people further into poverty, and jump-starting a global crisis on multiple fronts.

It is for that reason, that we must act. Not only for our future on this planet, but also for the future of our children and grandchildren, our nieces and nephews, so that they, too, may enjoy the beauty and opportunity that our Earth has to offer.

Climate change is now, not later.

*Strong Language*

The issue of climate change is simple. Incredibly simple, in fact. As John Oliver puts it, when we ask people whether they believe in climate change, we’re asking them for their opinion on fact. Downright foolish if you ask me.

Oliver says, “You might as well have a poll asking ‘which number is bigger: 5 or 15?’ or ‘Do owls exist?’ or ‘are there hats’?” His comedic twist on the issue is exactly right, we need to stop asking whether or not people believe in this issue and instead start posing questions regarding action against climate change.

Think about this yourself. What can you do? What can your friends do? How can YOU make a difference?

Learn to ask the right questions.

On Monday 12/7, United States presidential candidate Bernie Sanders revealed an aggressive plan to combat climate change. Whether or not you agree with the rest of his platform, if you consider yourself an environmentalist, you would be hard-pressed to find yourself not respecting his plans for the planet.

Bernie seems to be the only candidate that is actively promoting climate change as a major issue of our time, and suggesting concrete goals and methods to achieve them. I, for one, am fully supportive of Senator Sanders’ plan and hope that we will see it come to fruition soon. I’m hopeful that other candidates will also take a stand on the issue, as well, so that we can begin to see some real progress on this front.

Until then, keep doing what you can to combat climate change in your life, and inspire others to do the same. Keep on keepin on, my friends.

The only candidate serious enough.

Now here’s a pretty incredible story sent to me by a reader: 4 Norwegian kids skied to the North Pole, braving the elements, to see the effects of climate change first hand and report to the world what they saw.

With the mission of inspiring the world to action to save the planet that they will inherit, these kids have a pretty strong message. Now, they want to take that message to President Obama in hopes that he will act against climate change to save the planet for the children to whom it will be left.

Best of luck to you, guys! I hope you find your way to the White House!

"A little child shall lead them..."

Strengthen your heart this winter

Guess what? Cold weather makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Therefore, taking your exercise routine outside during the winter can actually strengthen your heart muscle. This is just one of seven benefits to exercising outside this winter according to Huffington Post. Learn more: http://aet.na/1J2aatu 

#FitnessFriday

Another reason to work against global warming!