It’s about time that we take protecting the environment seriously.

Despite the general consensus among scientists that climate change is, in fact, a global reality, many people still deny its existence.

A certain sect of our political system has taken such a hardline stance against climate change that they actively deny sound scientific research in favor of propaganda and dogma.

It’s time to stop believing that the entire scientific community is a liberal front.

According to the National Research Council, “(the) climate is changing and that these changes are in large part caused by human activities.” The report goes on to say that these changes are largely irreversible.

There is an entire slew of evidence that supports the hypothesis the world is warming — and that we may very well be causing it.

According to the National Center for Environmental Information, there is a clear warming in the global surface temperature. The 20 warmest years have all occurred since 1981.

Since 1992, the global sea level has been rising at a rate of 3.5 mm a year, and that rate is only climbing. Glacier volume and snow cover are all decreasing.

It’s okay to be skeptical, but when the amount of evidence points toward one direction, skepticism becomes hard-headedness.

So we need to fix this.

First, we need to place our trust in politicians who actually believe in climate change.

We need to actively support politicians who promote environmental conservation legislation. Politicians who introduce policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight unnecessary environmental pollution.

If the human race has any chance of surviving an inevitable extinction, it starts with each of us as individuals, standing on the frontlines.

But we also can take steps right here at home.

Even small step, such as lowering our meat consumption, can add up in the long run. Maybe we shouldn’t all become vegetarians, but it’s useful to be conscious of the impact of our meals.

According to NPR, a single quarter-pound hamburger patty takes 52.7 gallons of water to produce, mostly for the irrigation of the crops that the cow feeds on.

That’s not even taking into account the amount of land space the crops require and the amount of fossil fuel it takes to transport the meat.

Speaking of transportation, our commuting habits are especially impactful to the environmental, especially here in California.

Small changes, like riding a bike to certain destinations, can make a big impact. It’s not always convenient — although in more urban areas, it could be — but it’s better for you and better for the environment.

Solar panel prices are cheaper than they’ve ever been. What better way to pitch in than a system that eventually pays for itself, many times other?

Of course, it’s not feasible for all of us to be vegan, treehugging naturalists who go out of their way to avoid stepping on flowers. But that level of dedication isn’t required to make a difference.

We just have to care about this type of thing. We have to care about what type of ecosystem we’re leaving to our kids, and their kids.

The earth is not our resource to be plundered, used up and bled dry. It, like anything else, is finite enough to warrant saving.