As the planet succumbs to extreme weather conditions linked to climate change, like storm surges and polar vortex, people seem to remain complacent or indifferent. Climate change protests and rallies have not moved world leaders into curbing carbon footprint. Even Greta Thunberg’s demand for a scale down in industrial emission fell on deaf ears.

The biggest threat of climate change is believed to be the rise in sea level as global warming melts icebergs, polar ice sheets and the Himalayan ice caps while more ocean water evaporates creating powerful cyclones. The island country of Kiribati may be swallowed by the Pacific Ocean tide and wiped off the map. “Sinking cities” may literally be underwater.

Climate change also means longer and more intense drought threatening food supply. The harm to humans could be in the form of drowning, injury and hunger.

Lately, researchers posited that climate change can also make people dumb or stupid.

According to a team of scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder, the Colorado School of Public Health and the University of Pennsylvania, the gradual rise of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere could cause cognitive decline. Their hypothesis was bolstered by the result of an experiment wherein two groups of students were exposed to different levels of carbon dioxide.

One group suffered 25 percent decrease in cognitive abilities by 2100. The other group exposed to more CO2 suffered 50 percent decrease in cognitive abilities.

The theory may already be playing out as single-use plastic makers continue to produce their products that end up in the ocean and choke marine animals and fowl to death. Knowing the consequence of their actions and yet still doing it is a dumb act indeed.