Download what impacts of climate change have already been

CLIMATE CHANGE
Impact on Our Planet
Tan Jiefeng (18)
6M
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE
The Earth’s climate is influenced by many factors. Equatorial areas have hot
temperatures all year whereas areas further north and south of the Equator
receive lesser solar energy and so have a cooler climate. The tilt of the Earth
relative to the Sun, and its orbit around the Sun means that climate is seasonal.
Climate of a place is also influenced by other factors such as altitude and its
nearness to the sea.
However, climate has become less predictable nowadays! Scientists have been
concerned over small changes in global temperatures that the effects this may
have on our lives. They have found out that the rise in global temperature is due
to the increasing concentration of certain gases (“greenhouse gases”) in the
Earth’s atmosphere. Thus is known as “Global Warming”.
The warming of global climate is now unequivocal. There are many observations
of increasing air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice,
and rising sea levels. More specifically, eleven of the last twelve years (19952006) rank among the 12 warmest years ever recorded since global surface
temperatures are measured (1850). Over the last 100 years (1906–2005),
global temperature has increased by 0.74°C. Global sea level has risen by 17 cm
during the 20th century, in part because of the melting of snow and ice from
many mountains and in the polar regions. More regional changes have also been
observed, including changes in Arctic temperatures and ice, ocean salinity, wind
patterns, droughts, precipitations, frequency of heat waves and intensity of
tropical cyclones.
Many scientists are worried that the activities of people are increasing the
amount of greenhouse gases and this could be changing the climate. people
contribute to the layer of gases by using fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas.
Industralised countries have been using fossil fuels to provide power for factories
and homes since the Industrial Revolution. Now, many developing countries are
choosing a similar path to fuel their economic growth and needs of their people.
Global Warming
It seems that every time we open the newspaper or watch the news on
television, there is a new warning about the damaging effects of a changing
climate. Floods, droughts and other natural disasters are becoming more and
more common and the world is struggling to survive.
The Earth’s atmosphere is around us. It is the air we breathe in. The gases in
the atmosphere (e.g. water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane etc) trap heat from
the sun. These gases act as the glass panes in a greenhouse and warm the
surface of the Earth. This is also known as the Greenhouse Effect. It is very
important as it make Earth warm for us to live.
Greenhouse gases are gases in our atmosphere that hold in heat, such as carbon
dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. The problem we now faced is that the Earth
atmosphere is being filled by huge quantities of human-caused carbon dioxide
and other greenhouse gases. By burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and
clearing forests, we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere. This traps the Sun’s heat (that would have otherwise reradiated back into space) and cause temperatures around the world to rise. This
is called Global Warming.
The Carbon Cycle
Carbon is an element. It is part of oceans,
air, rocks, soil and all living things.
Carbon doesn’t stay in one place. It is
always on the move.
1. Carbon moves from the
atmosphere to plants.
In the atmosphere, carbon is attached to
oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide.
With the help of the Sun, through the
process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide
is pulled from the air to make plant food
from carbon.
2. Carbon moves from plants to animals.
Through food chains, the carbon that is in plants moves to the animals that eat
them. Animals that eat other animals get the carbon from their food too.
3. Carbon moves from plants and animals to the ground.
When plants and animals die, their bodies, wood and leaves decay bringing the
carbon into the ground. Some becomes buried miles underground and will
become fossil fuels in millions and millions of years.
4. Carbon moves from living things to the atmosphere.
Each time you exhale, you are releasing carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere.
Animals and plants get rid of carbon dioxide gas through a process called
respiration.
5. Carbon moves from fossil fuels to the atmosphere when fuels are
burned.
When humans burn fossil fuels to power factories, power plants, cars and trucks,
most of the carbon quickly enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas. Each
year, five and a half billion tons of carbon is released by burning fossil fuels.
That’s the weight of 100 million adult African elephants! Of the huge amount of
carbon that is released from fuels, 3.3 billion tons enters the atmosphere and
most of the rest becomes dissolved in seawater.
6. Carbon moves from the atmosphere to the oceans.
The oceans, and other bodies of water, soak up some carbon from the
atmosphere.
WHAT IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAVE
ALREADY BEEN OBSERVED
Glaciers are melting in many
places across the world
This picture shows the overwhelming
evidence that global warming is
severely affecting the water and glacial
cycles of the planet. As glaciers melt
and more water reaches the ocean, it
increases the sea level at a faster rate,
which causes flooding and threatens
every coastal city.
Powerful Hurricanes
The effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans were
shattering and long-lasting. The center of Katrina passed
east of New Orleans on August 29, 2005. It was the
worst engineering disaster in the history of the United
States.
By August 31, 2005, eighty percent of New Orleans was
flooded, with some parts under 15 feet (4.5 m) of water.
Ninety percent of the residents of southeast Louisiana
were evacuated, 1836 died and 705 people reported
missing.
The damage estimated US$89 billion- the costliest
tropical cyclone in history.
Prolonged Droughts
The Murray Darling Basin is the main
irrigation area of Australia, and covers an
area the size of France and Spain.
The prolonged drought has reduced many of
the rivers to a trickle, crippling Australia’s
farming sector and forcing many cities and
towns to enact drastic water restrictions as
reservoirs dry up.
Other drought-related hazards in Australia
are heatwaves, duststorms and bushfires, all
of which can impact on the people’s lives
and economy in Australia.
Severe Floods
Africa has been hardest hit by climate
change and has suffered the worst effects
of global warming. Severe floods hit
twenty-two African countries as they
experienced their worst wet seasons in
decades.
Thousands of Africans have been uprooted
by devastating downpours and displaced.
Thousands were killed in Uganda, Sudan,
Kenya, and Ethiopia.
Coral Reefs Bleaching
Coral reefs are taking hits around
the world from many stresses —
pollution, destructive fishing
practices, disease — but perhaps
the most damaging is warmer
water.
When carbon dioxide dissolves
into the ocean, it produces
carbonic acid, which corrodes the
limestone structures of coral reefs
and other marine ecosystems
could suffer. The only hope is to
reduce emissions of carbon
dioxide as quickly as possible to
minimize large-scale, long-term
harm to the world's oceans and
marine ecosystems.
Food Supply Shortages
Climate conditions have always been the
most important on people’s ability to grow
food. Many crops are sensitive to small
changes in temperature.
A frost in Brazil could wipe out the coffee
harvest for the year. In parts of Asia,
higher temperatures and evaporation of
water have affected the rice harvest which
fed the people for thousands of years.
People who rely on fish from the sea as a
source of food such as South America
have suffered a massive reduction in
catches because the warm water along the
eastern Pacific Ocean have forced fishes to
move to cooler waters in the north.
With higher temperatures, less rain and
frequent droughts, food production has
fallen drastically and food prices increased
as a result.
Human Health At Risk
Extreme weather conditions may bring
health risks. Forest fires in Indonesia
gave rise to choking smoke causing
people with respiratory diseases to fall ill,
school closures and over-crowded
hospitals.
After a flood, drought or hurricane, clean
water may get contaminated. As a result,
people are forced to drink dirty water.
Water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea
and cholera can lead to severe illness and
health problems.
Dengue fever caused by the aedes
mosquito used to be limited to warmer
places. But with global temperatures
rising, dengue fever has spread into the
hills and mountains of India and
Colombia.
WHAT HAPPENS IF EARTH’S TEMPERATURE ….
Increase by 1˚C
1. The permafrost in the Alps might melt, causing rock falls to occur more and
more often. This would endanger not only skiers but also towns and villages in
the mountain regions. Landslides might also bury unprotected populations as
melting continues.
2. The Queensland Wet Tropics is a renowned and treasured heritage site with
species of plants that cannot be found elsewhere. Some of the animal and plant
species can only live at certain heights. As it warms, many of these species
could lose huge chunks of their habitat. As long as high rainfall continues, the
rainforest would not disappear completely, but the region could lose its
biodiversity.
3. Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of Brazil in 2004. It is possible that many more
hurricanes could be born out of the South Atlantic if sea temperatures continue
to rise. Hurricane forecasting services would need to expand. New tropical
cyclones may even affect Europe, and countries along the Mediterranean coast
could be at risk from these storms as well.
4. When oceans heat up beyond the temperature tolerance of corals, the corals
eject the algae that live in them and become bleached. However, these
ecosystems are forever altered. Barrier reefs protect coastlines and play a role in
the food chain, both of which influence human lives beyond tourist pleasures.
5. The Sand Hills may resemble their namesake. The green, grassy hills that
cattle graze on could be gone. Dust and sandstorms might be commonplace.
Currently the breadbasket of the United States, the agricultural production may
be devastated by droughts. Heavier irrigation may fail as water is overexploited
by industrial agriculture. Residents could abandon the area as they did in the
1930’s when it was referred to as the Dust Bowl.
Increase by 2˚C
1. Southern China may flood more, but the northern part of China could be
drought-stricken and have to wait longer for the rains of summer monsoons to
reach them. Large scale dust storms may hold sway as the north awaits the rain.
Agriculture would suffer as well from the lack of water in a country with a large
population. Beijing, Tianjin and other northern cities might experience water
shortages.
2. A strengthening of the monsoon and increase in severe flooding could
negatively impact agriculture, as wheat and rice production would be crippled.
For countries with growing populations, this threat to food is dangerous. And as
peoples’ homes may be wrecked again and again, they would have to weigh
whether to move permanently. The glaciers in the Himalayas may also melt,
causing mud flows in Nepal.
3. In 2003, a serious European heat wave took many lives. More and more of
these extreme heat waves could occur and cause fatalities, particularly among
the elderly. Europe’s summers could see the soaring temperatures more
commonly found in today’s Northern Africa. Those living along the Mediterranean
coast might find relief in the north. Water shortages and crop failures could be a
problem.
4. Peru’s mountain glaciers may melt, and there would be no more natural water
for Lima. The poorest would be hit first and hardest. Agriculture would be
troubled and jobs lost. Water users may fight over resources and refugees may
flee from city to countryside in a reverse migration. Countries like Ecuador and
Bolivia also survive on water from the mountain glaciers and would share a
similar fate.
5. Much of the world’s carbon dioxide ends up in the oceans, and scientists have
learnt that increasing levels of carbon dioxide cause the oceans to become more
acidic. That affects organisms with calcium carbonate shells, including plankton,
by effectively dissolving their shells. Many of these tiny creatures are at the base
of the food chain and assist in the carbon cycle. Also affected would be crabs,
sea urchin, mussels, oysters, and tropical corals.
Increase by 3˚C
1. Dependent on mountain water from glaciers that may recede, the Indus River
could disappear. The population would first experience a swollen river that would
help feed agricultural production. But as the ice melts, the river would dry up.
Food would be hard to come by and neighbouring countries would experience
similar problems - setting the stage for possible political crisis.
2. The Amazon rain forest, which supplies about a fifth of the world’s oxygen,
could enter into a cycle or drought and fire. The resulting deforestation could
release tons of carbon dioxide. Worse still, the peat beneath the forest could also
catch fire, adding to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Tribal communities could be displaced, and some biodiversity could be lost
forever.
3. If sea levels were to rise and a storm hits Manhattan, the storm surge could
submerge parts of the city. Hurricanes and north-easters would be a continual
threat. Flooding might occur often and the three meter flood zone could be filled
every five years, densely populated southern Manhattan is most vulnerable, and
flooding there could cut off evacuation routes as waters rise. Such scenarios
have city government considering construction of storm-surge barriers.
4. In the Arctic, eighty percent of sea ice could be lost. Open oceans lacking
these ice caps might change North American weather patterns, bringing more
rain to Alaska and Canada, while further drying out the West Coast. Land ice
caps and glaciers would melt quickly/ in Norway and Finland. The growing
seasons could lengthen, but the soil would still be rocky and acidic.
5. Without adequate snows, snowmelt could decline and no longer feed the
Colorado River. The overall quantity of water available would be lower and make
the land drier. Drought is already a problem, but it could become a semipermanent situation. Urban areas could face water shortages, crop yields could
be affected, and drier grasslands and forests would be more susceptible to
wildfires.
Increase by 4˚C
1. As average temperatures rise, more frequent periods of drought could lead to
depleted water supplies for irrigation. Crop yields could plummet, and as one
study predicts, decline as much as forty percent by the last third of the twentyfirst century. As Chinese become more affluent, and use more resources, the
county could be faced with feeding its expanding population with two thirds of
available food.
2. The world could warm enough to thaw Siberia’s permafrost, causing carbon
release to accelerate. The bogs may also release large amounts of methane into
the atmosphere. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is 23 times more effective
at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.
3. New deserts could form as southern Europe dries out. Rainfall would decline,
heat waves would be up to a month longer, and hot days that are dangerous to
human health would increase many times over. In contrast, the United Kingdom
could be hit with storm surges and cyclones in the winter while still experiencing
summer droughts.
4. Antarctica would not melt as quickly as the Arctic since surrounding winds and
currents will keep it cool longer. Large ice shelves protect the center of the ice,
which is below sea level. However, one of these could crumble, causing the
speed of glaciers flowing into the ocean to accelerate. There is a small chance
such an acceleration could lead to the total collapse of the ice sheet and a mass
influx of freshwater into the already rising seas.
5. As global sea levels rise, cities around the world may have to fight to stay
afloat: Alexandria, Bangladesh, Boston, Mumbai, London, Miami and Venice
among them. As these cities attempt to protect themselves from rising waters,
they may become virtual islands as water encroaches from every side.
Increase by 5˚C
1. Warming could cause methane hydrate – a methane-water combo at the
ocean floor, normally in an ice-like form – to destabilize and release a gas,
turning the ocean anoxic and unable to support oxygen-breathing life at the sea
floor. As the gas explodes upwards, it could trigger sub-sea landslides, which in
turn could displace large quantities of water and create tsunamis. This would
only further drench already submerging coastlines.
2. As competition for water resources and arable land intensifies, the world
would likely see an increase in armed conflicts. These could take the form of
ethnic or regional skirmishes, or full-scale wars between nations.
3. As climate refugees cram together in the few remaining temperate zones,
humanity may look to formally inhospitable regions for growing room. Possible
colonies on the Antarctic Peninsula could be established. As Antarctic ice slowly
retreats, exposing more usable land, the population of Antarctica could swell
beyond the few thousand scientists and support staff that live there today.
4. Northern Europe, the southern end of South America, and New Zealand are
examples of areas that could become contested by residents and refugees
fleeing harsher climates. Rapid population rise in the areas could lead to political
and economic crisis, and shortages of staple resources.
5. Deserts throughout the world could expand, taking over more and more land.
Those areas that lack water would face increasingly arid conditions, turning
millions of people into climate refugees, as desertification spreads, and
availability of food and water declines. Population in the remaining non-arid
climates could swell with the influx of refugees.
Increase by 6˚C
1. As happened in the Cretaceous period, a spike in warming could lead to all
but the upper-most layer of the oceans being stripped of oxygen, decimating
marine life. Build-up of hydrogen-sulfide gas from massive marine die-offs could
further poison the oceans and coastal areas.
2. How would humanity respond and survive if a six degree Celsius rise occurs?
This is a question we hope never to answer. With scarce resources and the
global systems disrupted, simply surviving will be a grave challenge for most of
the world’s people.
3. With sea levels rising and resources hard to come by, it is easy to imagine
that densely populated cities in some parts of the world could struggle to survive.
Some would be lost to rising seas, others might be relocated or simply
abandoned as the landscape and climate in their original locations is no longer
able to support large human settlements.
4. As carbon-induced temperature-rise leads to increased desertification, and
forested areas retreat, less carbon dioxide is removed from the air by
photosynthesis, leading to more global warming. It is theorized that several such
positive feedback chains could be active in a warmer world, leading to ever more
acute warming.
5. Humanity finds itself squeezed into the smaller zones of habitability. Possible
locations where increased settlements might take hold include the extreme
northern regions along the Arctic coasts of Russia and the Canadian islands,
where farming in a warmer world may be possible, and summers tolerable.
HOW CAN THE GOVERNMENT HELP
A wide variety of policy tools can be applied by governments to create incentives
for mitigation action, such as regulation, taxation, tradable permit schemes,
subsidies, and voluntary agreements. It is important to consider the
environmental impacts of policies and instruments, their cost effectiveness,
institutional feasibility and how costs and benefits are distributed.
Although the impact of the Kyoto protocol’s first commitment period 2008-2012
on global carbon emissions is expected to be limited, it has allowed the
establishment of a global response to the climate problem.
Switching to more sustainable development paths can make a major contribution
to climate change mitigation. Policies that contribute to both climate change
mitigation and sustainable development include those related to energy
efficiency, renewable energies, and conservation of natural habitats. In general,
sustainable development can increase the capacity for adaptation and mitigation,
and reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change
• Taxes and charges can set a “carbon price” (a cost for each unit of greenhouse
gas emissions) which could create incentives for producers and consumers to
significantly invest in products, technologies and processes reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
• Tradable emission permits establish a “carbon price”. The volume of allowed
emissions determines their environmental effectiveness, while the way permits
are allocated determines who bears the costs.
• Subsidies and tax credits can provide financial incentives for the development
and diffusion of new technologies.
• Voluntary agreements between industry and governments are politically
attractive, raise awareness, and have played a role in the evolution of many
national policies.
• Awareness campaigns may positively affect environmental quality by
promoting informed choices and possibly contributing to behavioural change.
• Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) can stimulate
technological advances, reduce costs, and enable progress toward stabilization.
SWITCHING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Switching to more sustainable development paths can make a major contribution
to climate change mitigation, but implementation may require overcoming
multiple barriers. Climate change and other sustainable development policies
often benefit each other, though not always. There is a growing understanding of
the possibilities to choose and implement mitigation options in several sectors to
create synergies and avoid conflicts with other aspects of sustainable
development.
For instance, climate change policies related to energy efficiency and renewable
energy are often economically beneficial, improve energy security, and reduce
local air pollution. Reducing both loss of natural habitat and deforestation can
have significant benefits for biodiversity, soil and water conservation, and can be
implemented in a socially and economically sustainable manner.
No matter how stringent the mitigation measures, some impacts of climate
change are unavoidable and adaptation will be necessary. Sustainable
development can increase the capacity for both adaptation and mitigation, and
reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
We use energy every day. It surrounds us in different forms, such as light, heat,
and electricity. Humans have invented thousands of machines and appliances
that use energy to make our work easier, to heat our homes, and to get
ourselves from place to place. Some of these machines use electricity, while
others, like automobiles, use the energy stored in substances such as gasoline.
But now, these resources are running out. Therefore, more and more people
now are switching to use renewable energy.
Renewable energy is energy which is generated from natural resources – such
as wind, tides, geothermal heat, sunlight and rain – which are naturally
replenished. Renewable energy supplies will never run out. These are different
types of renewable energy:
Solar energy
Our sun is a constant source of energy. Each day, the sun provides the Earth
with unimaginable amounts of solar energy, most of which comes in the form of
visible light. All over planet Earth, sunlight is by far the most important source of
energy for all living things. Without it, Earth would be lifeless.
Sunlight can be a practical source of energy for such everyday jobs as cooking,
heating water, or warming up homes. Scientists have discovered ways to the
Sun’s energy to power our daily appliances. These are two types of energy that
can be obtained from the Sun:
Solar electricity – Not only is the sun a source of heat and light, it is a source of
electricity too. Solar cells, also called photovoltaic cells, are used to convert
sunlight to electricity. Solar cells are used to provide electricity all kinds of
equipment, from calculators and watches to eco-friendly vehicles.
Solar heat – Solar thermal collectors, which are heat-absorbing black solar
panels, can be seen on some rooftops. These solar panels convert solar energy
into heat energy. Water circulates through these panels and this is where it gets
heated up.
Wind energy
Air is constantly on the move. People have harnessed the power of the wind for
many centuries to grind grain, pump water and sail ships. In some places,
especially along coastlines and in mountains, wind provides a highly reliable
source of energy. Wind can be used for:
Sails – Wind energy can be used for transportation. Modern sailboats have very
efficient sails and masts constructed from strong, lightweight materials. They
work like aircraft wings to generate forces that pull the boat in the desired
direction.
Generating electricity – Wind turbines are used to generate electricity. To make
electricity, the shaft of the turbine must be connected to an electrical generator.
When the shaft spins, the turbine turns the generator to generate electricity.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is generated from the kinetic energy of moving water. Rivers
and streams are among nature's most powerful forces. The force of water
moving down a moderately-sized river can exceed several million horsepower.
Humans have built hydroelectric dams to harness this power. The water is
released from the dams and it will turn the turbines which are connected to
generators to generate electricity.
Biomass energy
For thousands of years, people have used wood, charcoal and plant and animal
wastes to heat and cook. These fuels, all the product of living things, are called
biomass fuels, or simply biomass.
Biogas – Most mammals-humans included-produce a flammable gas called
"biogas" as they digest their food. Bacteria living in their digestive systems
produce methane as they break down cellulose present in the food. Biogas is
also produced in bogs and wetlands where large amounts of rotting vegetation
may accumulate. Biogas consists mostly of a gas called methane, which is the
same as "natural gas", commonly burned in our furnaces and barbecues. Biogas
can be used instead of natural gas for heating and cooking.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal means heat from the core of the Earth. Resources for geothermal
energy are widespread and include the hot water and hot rock found a few
kilometers beneath the surface, and extremely high temperatures of molten rock
called magma at deeper levels. Geothermal energy is non-polluting and is
sustainable.
Geothermal heat pumps - While temperatures above ground change a lot from
day to day and season to season, temperatures in the upper 10 feet of the
Earth's surface hold nearly constant between 10 to 15 degrees Celcius. For most
areas, this means that soil temperatures are usually warmer than the air in
winter and cooler than the air in summer. Geothermal heat pumps use the
Earth's constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. They transfer heat
from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in
the summer.
WHAT WE CAN DO
Transport
Aim : Minimise carbon dioxide emission by managing usage, improving fuel
efficiency, promoting use of cleaner fuels and green vehicles. Promoting public
transport and car-pooling are mechanisms to reduce the demand for petrol.
Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars don’t depend on petrol to move. They
use electric batteries to power the engine. An
example of such a car is the Toyota Prius.
Offices & Households
Aim : Lower energy consumption (aircon, lights) and to cultivate energy saving
habits
Fluorescent light bulbs
A ‘normal’ light bulb (also known as incandescent light bulb) produces a lot of
heat in addition to light. Heat is a waste of energy. A fluorescent light bulb uses
a more efficient method to produce light. A 15-watt fluorescent bulb will
produce the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
Energy Labels
To increase public awareness and get people to buy energy efficient electrical
appliances, energy labels are affixed to air-conditioners and refrigerators to
inform consumers of the electricity consumption level.
At Home
Cleaning air filters of our air-conditioners regularly
Recycle newspapers, beverage containers, paper and other goods
Change conventional bulbs into energy saving bulbs
Buy products made from recycled materials
Do not buy things with lots of packaging
Give old clothes and toys to charity
At School
Buy supplies made with recycled contents
Use energy-saving light bulbs
Use two-sided printing and copying
Switch off lights, fans and computers when the classroom is empty
Recycle printer cartridges
Make use of the recycling bins to dispose unwanted newspapers, metal
cans and glass bottles
The school can collect old textbooks from its pupils and donate them to
needy students
On the road
-
Use of more fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrid vehicles and cleaner diesal
vehicles
Avoid hard accelerations and reduce time spent idoling on the road
Keep your car well maintained to make it fuel-efficient
Check tyres regularly as under-inflation increases wear and tear
Use public transport, carpool, cycle or walk as far as possible
At the office
-
Switch off office equipment and lights when not in use
Use energy-saving bulbs
Activate the screen saver mode on your computer and monitor
Recycle office paper
Use recycled paper
Use soft copies instead of printing hard copies
Use rechargable batteries instead of disposable ones
Buy recycled products such as toilet paper and paper towels.
CONCLUSION
Global warming is real. The climate crisis presents us with an inconvenient truth.
It means that we must CHANGE the way we live our lives. Some are major
changes and others are little things which we can do our part. For example, we
should switch off all electrical appliances whenever we leave the room, and use
energy-saving light bulbs in schools, offices and homes. We can learn to save
water e.g. when we brush our teeth we can use a mug to contain the water and
not leave the water running. We can use both sides of a piece of paper – in this
way, we can save trees as trees takes in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
We should learn to recycle old clothes, books, plastic bottles to reduce wastage.
Everyone must take action now to save our planet! We cannot afford to do
nothing. Every small effort will contribute significantly to fight global warming!
Sources

http://www.re-energy.ca/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/six-degrees-couldchange-the-world-3188/Overview

http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=4709

“An Inconvenient Truth” written by Al Gore

“Energy Alternatives” written by Robert Snedden

“Climate Change: The Impact On The Planet” written by Simon Scoones

“Six degrees could change the world” the documentary