SEC S11W5: Climate changes in the world

Hello friends, I am very happy to participate in this contest which I find very interesting because it addresses a problem that we are all facing around the world, each with its own issues, and in every country, efforts are being made to tackle it in the best way possible. However, in reality, it's difficult to counteract climate change. From my point of view, it's already too late, and we have already reached the point of no return.

Today, I want to talk a bit about how this is affecting my country, Italy, and I want to answer the questions you've shared in the contest.

1- Do you think that global warming is influencing the frequency with which natural phenomena are occurring?

Even though there are many conspiracy theorists in my country who believe that human activity doesn't affect the climate, scientists worldwide tell us the opposite. In fact, human activity, especially pollution, plays a major role in destroying ecosystems. Unfortunately, Italy, being highly industrialized, has seen an increase in car usage even for short distances. This definitely contributes to higher CO2 emissions, which contribute to global warming. This is particularly noticeable in winter. I live in the northern part of Italy where it used to snow often, but for several years now, I haven't seen snow, which is not a good sign.

2- Has your country been affected by global warming? Can you give us an example of how it affects the country and you?

Yes, my country has been affected by global warming for several years. The climate has changed significantly, becoming more tropical. I shared some photos of a hailstorm that hit my house just a month ago. While hailstorms have happened in the past, I had never seen hailstones of that size, causing extensive damage. They destroyed roofs of houses and numerous cars, resulting in millions of euros worth of damages. Moreover, Italy's changing climate is evident in the numerous glaciers in the Alps that have practically disappeared. Just yesterday, the freezing level in Italy was above 5000 meters, breaking a new record. Not to mention the temperatures, which are hovering around 37 degrees Celsius in recent weeks, when they should be around 30 degrees. Winters are also no longer as cold. I use a wood stove for heating, but this winter I burned very little wood due to elevated temperatures, which is not a positive sign.

3- How do natural phenomena affect the economy and infrastructure of your country?

This is an important issue, but unfortunately, many people don't understand it. The damages caused by climate change and global warming have economic consequences. This year, agricultural harvests in Italy were disastrous, impacting those whose income relies on agriculture. While insurance helped to some extent, costs will rise. Economic losses have also affected individuals, such as those who had their cars or homes damaged. Insurance covered some of the costs, but the state provided no assistance, forcing people to spend their own money during a period of high inflation. Additionally, a few months ago, when there was a flood in Emilia Romagna, one of Italy's most industrially productive regions, many companies were hit hard. This undoubtedly affected Italy's GDP.

If it were the end of the world and I had to choose just one option to take with me to another planet, I would undoubtedly choose to take my family, as they are the most important to me. The rest, I would willingly leave behind. Being alive is a wonderful thing in itself.

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you found my answers interesting. I've been as sincere as possible, and I've tried to explain the situation in Italy, as many people may not be aware of it.

See you soon, and I wish you a beautiful day. I'm especially looking forward to reading the other posts.