As Climate Change remains a pressing issue in the face of world and corporate leaders doing little to reign in carbon emissions and prevent out-dated disinformation and anti-science sentiment, we see the much-needed emergence of the Climate Justice movement. The main precept is that there needs to be consideration for the ethical consequences of Climate Change, particularly with regards to the most disadvantaged of our neighbors across the world.
But despite progress, in recent years, there seem to be some lingering questions with regards to Climate Change science. First and foremost in many of your minds, I'm sure, is the question, "What ever happened to 'Global Warming'?"
Let's take a step back.
Pictured here are NASA astronauts performing work on the exterior of the ISS. You can see in these images, and more clearly in the source video, what appear to be air bubbles escaping from these astronauts' space suits.
NASA has later come out and identified this as a feature of their space suits. In order to keep the air inside clean, there is a release valve that lets out carbon dioxide exhaled by the astronauts, while maintaining the pressurized environment within the suits. Astronauts are knowingly releasing carbon dioxide into space.
Now, back to Climate Change.
Not many people seem to be aware, and I think it's important to note, the real reason that the use of "Global Warming" has fallen out of practice. It's not some "PR move" or "rebranding campaign," as many far-right media outlets might have you believe. This change in terminology is because Climate Change is not just a global issue. And many scientists have spoken out against the ethical irresponsibility that was taking place in being so geocentric in our thinking.
Thus "Climate Change" was born to account for all of our extraterrestrial brothers and sisters (and non-binary siblings) out there.
New studies indicate that there could be as many as 36 intelligent alien civilizations in our galaxy. And similarly to the Climate Justice issues we face here on earth, the indigenous peoples of other planets may be more vulnerable to the irreparable damage that humans are causing with carbon emissions. Other species should not be subject to the carelessness of our interplanetary pollution.
And mind you, the pollution most definitely is interplanetary.
Space isn't as empty as we previously thought. Deposits of gas can be found all around our universe, often in the form of "rivers" and "clouds." These gases, primarily hydrogen, can travel between planets, solar systems, and even galaxies, and are thought to be responsible for the formation of new stars. And we are actively polluting these gaseous rivers.
Astronauts aren't the only problem, even taking into consideration waste off-boarded from the ISS. With the ever-deteriorating ozone layer, damage to which can be traced back to pollutants, including aerosols, there is evidence that some amount of gas may be escaping out of the atmosphere and into space.
Carbon emissions are no longer a global issue.
Be the best Universal Citizen you can be, and stand up for the well-being of your neighbors. Both on and off Earth.