This is not a chapter book - so below you will find examples of the facts contained in each section. Every fact has an appropriate image. Easy to read - one fact and image to a page.
50 Essential Facts about Climate Change.
Contents:
What are the Problems?
Working Together
Who can help us?
Individual Activity
Goals
What are the Problems?
Fact 1. Who is responsible for Global Warming?
Global warming is when the Earth's temperature goes up. Different places are having more heat waves and rain than before. This is happening more quickly than it used to because of human activity. We have been burning fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution. This causes carbon dioxide to go into the air and trap heat, making the Earth hotter.
Carbon dioxide is causing most of the warming. It can take thousands of years to go away. Methane is causing the rest of the warming.
We must act quickly to keep the Erth's temperature from increasing too much. This is important so that all living things can survive.
Fact 2. Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases are present in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to the rise of our planet's surface temperature. When the Sun supplies light and heat to the Earth, that light and heat can either be reflected back into space or absorbed by the planet's surface. If there is an excess of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere, heat is trapped in the atmosphere, much like how a greenhouse reflects the light but absorbs the heat. The accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere creates a similar 'greenhouse effect' that warms the Earth. Due to human activities like burning fossil fuels over nearly 300 years, atmospheric methane concentrations have increased by over 150% and carbon dioxide by over 50%. These high levels of gases in the atmosphere have not been seen in over 3 million years.
Fact 3. What is the Carbon Cycle?
Carbon is essential for all life on Earth, forming complex molecules like proteins and DNA. It is found in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and regulates the Earth's temperature. Carbon moves through a closed system known as the carbon cycle, circulating between the atmosphere, Earth, and living organisms. Most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is in the ocean, atmosphere, and living organisms. Human activities like burning fossil fuels have significantly impacted the carbon cycle, producing more carbon dioxide than at any other time in the past 3.6 years.
Fact. 4 Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is an acidic chemical gas composed of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. It was studied by the Scottish scientist, Joseph Black, in the 1750s.
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to use in photosynthesis. The reverse reaction happens in the cellular respiration process in animals when carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product. Carbon dioxide travels in the blood from the body's cells to the lungs, where it is breathed out.
Carbon dioxide is produced and released into the atmosphere when humans burn fossil fuels.
Fact 5. Oceans - Water - Rain
Oceans play a significant role in the water cycle of our planet. Water molecules comprise two hydrogen and one oxygen atom, known as H2O.
The warmth from the Sun heats the surface water of the ocean, causing the seawater to evaporate and form clouds. These clouds carry individual hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the form of water droplets which travel around the world in the atmosphere. When the clouds cool down, the hydrogen and oxygen atoms combine to form water again, resulting in precipitation or rain.
Unfortunately, burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which in turn deposits excess heat into the atmosphere. The oceans absorb this extra heat, causing the water to become hotter and create more clouds and rain.
When it rains heavily, rivers overflow, causing damage to homes and businesses.
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Working Together
Fact 15. Importance of Seagrass
Oceans produce 80% of our oxygen from photosynthesis in seagrass and algae. To keep our oxygen levels secure, we must work harder to protect the seagrass and seaweeds in the oceans. We need laws to reduce the types of fishing vessels that damage both the seagrass and kelp seaweed that grows on the seabed. Marine parks are one way of doing this. Countries can increase the area of these protected areas and totally ban fishing within them. Water sports should be sectioned off away from areas containing seagrass. Once these marine parks become law, it usually only takes a few years before the kelp grows and seagrass meadows flourish again.
Fact 16. Volunteering to plant seagrass
All around the world, volunteers are helping to restore areas of the seabed where seagrass has been damaged. Research your local area - is there a marine park near you? Find your nearest seagrass planting project and see if you can help.
If not, write to your local council or your Member of Parliament to ask for help to protect the coastline. State the importance of seagrass for oxygen production. Get a group of people together to demonstrate peacefully to draw attention to the importance of keeping the ocean healthy.
Fact 17. Community Challenges
You don't have to do everything yourself - that would be almost impossible - but you can organise or join existing groups of people to help with nature projects that have already started worldwide. Community projects such as planting trees and seagrass are just two areas where you could help. Another area where local communities can act is rerouting rivers in river flood zones. With all the excess rain in recent years - rivers are flooding more often and causing problems in populated areas when rivers break their banks.
Community projects where lots of people volunteer to help are the way to get things done. Governments need to work more quickly; individuals can't do enough to make a difference, but communities working together is a way forward, with loads of people becoming volunteers to act on 'restorative' nature projects.
Research 'nature', 'wildlife trust', 'volunteering,' 'national trust', or 'nature conservation' - to find somewhere you can help in your locality.
All the local work adds up to essential results around the world, so 'Think Global, Act Local' - you may be able to find work experience placements or weekend activities if you search your local area.
Fact 19. Pollution in the Ocean
I'm sure we have all heard about pollution problems caused by plastics in the ocean and how discarded fishing nets can kill marine creatures by entanglement.
However, all sorts of other waste is thrown into the oceans, and humans must ensure that all waste is recycled or disposed of correctly.
Humans must stop dumping poisons into the ocean, too. Poisons such as mercury, industrial waste, radioactive materials and sewage are all dumped into the oceans.
Dumping waste and poisons is not caused by climate change but by stupid humans!
Fact 21. How can young people contribute to saving the planet?
It is important to acknowledge the significance of school nature projects. When students are motivated to undertake local initiatives, such as cleaning up beaches or planting trees, they tend to attract the attention of others. Adults can learn from the students when schools involve parents and the local community in these projects.
The enthusiastic attitude towards nature and caring for the planet encourages students to participate in community projects. It is a great event when children educate adults, and everyone enjoys themselves while feeling good about contributing to such an essential cause.
Who Can Help Us?
Fact 23. Climate Research Organisations
There are many environmental organisations all over the world, which is excellent. However, choosing the one that suits you best can be challenging. Some organisations, like Greenpeace, request donations to fund their work, but many others don't require payment.
For young people, the most popular organisations are:
- Young People's Trust for the Environment ( ypte.org.uk)
- WWF (www.wwf.org.uk/get-involv ed/schools/resources/climate-change-resources)
- UNICEF (www.unicef.org/environment-and-climate-change/youth-action)
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Individual Activity
Fact 28. Fight for what you believe in
We can all speak up for the causes we believe in, whether advocating for clean and healthy oceans, protesting against overfishing and super-trawlers, or fighting against the continued use of fossil fuels and plastics. While we may not be able to tackle every issue, we all have the power to make a difference in some way.
Why not try to stop using any water from a plastic bottle? Then, influence others to do the same thing.
Did you know it takes 1.5 gallons of water to manufacture the plastic for the average commercial bottle of water? That is a crazy fact!
Fact 32. Sustainability
The Earth has finite resources, and excessive consumption of these resources can deplete them faster than they can be replenished. This is an unsustainable practice that can cause long-term damage to the planet.
To achieve sustainability, we must use natural resources responsibly and carefully. This involves balancing the meeting of present needs and preserving resources for future generations.
Environmental sustainability is an approach that emphasises protecting and preserving ecosystems and natural resources while minimising pollution.
Achieving sustainability requires collective efforts from everyone to create a world where people can work together in harmony with the Earth and everyone can thrive for generations to come.
Fact 33. Overshoot Day
Every year, humans consume more resources than the Earth can replenish. A day known as 'Overshoot Day' signifies the point when humanity's demand for ecological resources surpasses the Earth's ability to regenerate those resources in a given year.
Overshoot day occurs earlier each year and is a significant cause for concern. It is unsustainable, and humans must change their ways to ensure a sustainable future.
What will happen when all of the Earth's resources are depleted?
Did you know? Overshoot day is projected to be on July 25th 2024. From that day until the end of the year, humans will be 'borrowing' resources from future generations. If there is to be a world which continues to supply resources to nourish all life on the planet, then we must become sustainable in our lifestyles.
Research? Go to www.yearindays.com/earth-overshoot-day
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Goals
Fact 43. Inform others of local action
If you want to contribute to your community, listen out for any events. For example, there might be a beach clean-up or a peaceful protest outside a Member of Parliament's office with banners displaying your cause. Alternatively, there might be a local meeting to discuss a community project on sharing energy resources. If you are organising such an event consider volunteering to help ensure everyone knows the date, time, location and the invited speakers.
Fact 44. Inform people of good news stories.
It's important to use the internet to research climate change and stay up to date, but try not to overwhelm yourself by reading or listening to everything. Take valuable notes and avoid relying solely on your memory.
Be aware of your mental health, and don't take on too much at one time.
When you come across good news related to climate change, please note it and share it with others. You can contribute to tackling climate change by raising awareness among your peers and beyond.
Listening to others' opinions, participating in discussions, challenging their approach, and demonstrating your understanding is vital.
To make things easier, encourage others to listen to your favourite blogs or podcasts and spread positivity in any way possible. Look for projects that fit the 'if we do this now, then we can benefit XYZ in the future!' approach and get others involved.
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