2016 was filled with various detrimental elements that affected the climate and more importantly, the Earth. Climate change has been a reoccurring issue addressed in the media, often labeled as either a hoax or a legitimate problem. Based on studies conducted on the sustainable greenery and weather in 2016, here is what could be predicted should happen in the year of 2017 to our home planet.

Emissions were reduced in 2016, after wind and solar panels became more affordable for people. The amount of energy stored, saved a lot of power and money for both homeowners and researchers. The U.S has also made cheaper natural gas, which is displacing dirtier coal-based power.

Addressing the state of California’s drought, it’s almost surpassed half of the amount of water needed to rehabilitate the greenery, after major rainfall in the month of December. California has not received rain like that since 2007.

Even though those seem like great accomplishment, 2016 was the third year in a row that record global temperatures were set, making it one of the hottest years Earth has faced. The ozone is also in near climate danger zone, with our CO2 almost doubling in 2016. Researchers found that to be true after looking into the oceans.

Studies proved that the oceans were exponentially getting warmer, and most toxins created by factories mixing in with the warm water has gradually led to sea life dying (i.e. the Coral Reef). The warmer weather has also led to more typhoons and hurricanes in countries and states where they are usually prominent. But 2016 marked the year of worst natural disasters taken place.

2017 seems rather unpromising when it comes to that branch, especially since the current U.S president, Donald Trump truly believes climate change is fake. We, the people, should still continue to hope that he’ll surround himself with scientists that will assist in healing the problems caused by climate change. Through continuous research, maybe 2017 won’t face a bleak future, and maybe we can help ameliorate the negative stigma about climate change.