Climate change or global warming is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other polluting gases in our atmosphere. The gases trap heat by forming a blanket around the Earth - like the glass of a greenhouse. This blanket keeps the surface of the earth warm and able to sustain life. However the natural balance of gases has become severely imbalanced by the rising amounts of pollution we are releasing into the atmosphere. This means we are creating more carbon dioxide than can be reabsorbed by natural processes such as forests. The blanket around the earth is getting thicker (meaning we get hotter) than is safe for the type of climate we need to sustain life. Once released the greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for many years. As they build up, the planet's temperature rises. Greenhouse gases are produced by burning fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - and by cutting down forests. The UK's biggest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) is burning fossil fuels - like coal, gas and oil - in power stations. Other major causes are burning fossil fuels to use in our cars and the increase in aeroplane flights (transporting people for holidays and transporting food across the world). Many forests are cut down to use land for growing crops to feed animals for meat, or for grazing animals. Animal farming itself also produces green-house gases.
We have been burning large amounts of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas for almost 200 years. This has enabled us to build the modern societies that exist today. However, what we didn't know was that along the way we have been creating the biggest problem that we have ever faced... climate change. This is creating more extreme weather, melting of the ice caps, floods and droughts. In turn this will cost the lives of millions, ruin the livelihoods of hundreds of millions more, severely affect animal and plant life across the globe and cost trillions of pounds. Climate change is already killing 150,000 people a year. In other words, this isn‘t just a problem for future generations. It‘s happening now.
The Earth is warming faster than at any time in the past 10,000 years. (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
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Whenever governments, businesses & our society...
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Natural forms of energy surround us - and they can be used to power our vehicles, homes and business. Examples of renewable energy sources include:
They are:
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Your carbon footprint gives an indication of your impact on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.
As individuals, almost everything we do leads to the release of carbon into the atmosphere whether that's boiling a kettle, turning your heating up in the winter or taking a Caribbean holiday.
The amount of carbon you personally produce in a year can be determined using a carbon calculator. This measure of consumed natural resources is known as your carbon footprint. There are many carbon calculators on the internet. A simple one is at www.ngkids.co.uk/fun_stuff/other/23/carbon_footprint
Another useful website is www.carbonfootprint.com
If everyone made small changes to their life style - like not leaving the television on standby - then this would make a big difference in reducing our global carbon footprint and so reducing the impact of climate change.
That is for you to decide!
How much do you care if half the world's species become extinct?
How much do you care about rising sea levels which will make low-lying coastal areas disappear?
How far can you see beyond today's fashions, shopping lists & quick-fix conveniences to the future of life as we know it on this planet?
What do you care about?
What do you dream of?
How can your footprints be a fun and beautiful and creative alternative to the carbon ones we are stamping on the world today?