By Courtney Vasquez

Staff Writer

Global warming is one of the most controversial issues in our country today, yet many still think it is a hoax. 

Global warming is an issue that needs more attention. It is very real and something needs to be done to stop it from worsening to catastrophic levels. 

The temperature in Chicago alone will drop to a record minus 27 degrees Fahrenheit this week, according to the Chicago Tribune.

On Monday, President Donald Trump tweeted about this issue plaguing the Midwest, further expressing his denial of global warming in a mocking manner.

“In the beautiful Midwest, wind chill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded,” President Trump tweeted. “What the hell is going on with Global Wa[r]ming? Please come back fast, we need you!”

This definitely seemed like another ignorant tweet from President Trump, which I think many would agree with.

While it has been a rather brutal winter for the Midwest, with the polar vortex causing life-threatening temperatures, global warming still exists. 

“It’s too early to say whether this week’s Arctic outbreak had anything to do with climate change,” wrote USA Today’s editorial board on Wednesday. “But there’s emerging science that it can trigger extreme temperature shifts.” 

The article also discussed Americans’ altering views on climate change since President Trump tweeted about it. 

Even though our own president denies the effects of climate change, there are facts presented by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that prove otherwise.

According to an article written by CNN’s Brandon Miller in October, the IPCC reported temperatures may increase above preindustrial levels by 2030. This could cause catastrophic damage to the Earth, which is something everyone needs to realize. 

“The planet is already two-thirds of the way there, with global temperatures having warmed about one degree C,” Miller wrote. “Avoiding going even higher will require significant action in the next few years.” 

So why are there still people who do not believe in this problem? 

President Trump is choosing to ignore the cold hard facts, causing frustration among liberals and those who want to fix the global warming issue. 

Trump ignoring the IPCC’s report goes to show he does not like to be proven wrong, which has been evident throughout his presidency. 

Yet despite ignoring the facts, Trump stands by his beliefs.

The president has expressed his opinions on climate change in the past. According to another USA Today article written in November, Trump commented on the 1,600 page National Climate Assessment. This assessment discussed the impacts Americans will experience if climate change is ignored. 

“I don’t believe it,” Trump said to reporters.

This short response is what we all expect from Trump, so this was not a shock to read. 

Global warming is definitely a real problem rooted in human inaction and hubris.

The weather the Midwest is experiencing is probably a result of the changes in our climate, and this is something America needs to accept.