What is Climate change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Climate shifts sometimes appear naturally. Over the last one hundred years, human activities have been the main catalyst of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.
Climate Change is one of the most important issues facing our planet. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in scope and unprecedented in scale.
What causes Climate Change?
Greenhouse gases occur naturally and are essential to the survival of millions of people and wildlife. The sun’s heat is reflected back into space and makes Earth livable. The harmful effects of greenhouse gases are caused by more than a century of industrialization, deforestation, and large-scale agriculture. Quantities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have risen to record levels not seen in three million years. As populations grow, so does the cumulative level of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface.
How does it affect the planet?
Now climate scientists have concluded that we must limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040 if we are to avoid a future plagued with drought, wildfires, floods, and tropical storms.
What can we do to help?
One of the ways we can help is to save and plant trees. As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air. Trees provide many benefits to us, every day. They offer cooling shade, block cold winter winds, attract birds and wildlife, purify our air, prevent soil erosion, clean our water, and add grace and beauty to our homes and communities.
What Else Can You Do to Reduce Climate Change?
- Drive less. Walk, bike, carpool or take mass transit more often. You’ll save one pound of carbon dioxide for every mile you don’t drive.
- Recycle more. You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste.
- Check your tires. Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
- Turn off electronic devices. Simply turning off your television, stereo, or DVD player when you are not using them can save thousands of pounds of CO2 a year.
5. Keep your car tuned up. Regular maintenance helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.
Sources:
- https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/climate-change
- https://www.arborday.org/trees/climatechange/
- https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101
Author: Paul Robertson