What is Climate Change?
“Climate change is a change in the pattern of weather, and related changes in oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets, occurring over time scales of decades or longer”
– “1. What Is Climate Change?”
The world has been and is getting warmer.
The rise in temperature is related to the greenhouse effect, which describes how some of the Sun’s energy is trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. Solar radiation from the Earth’s atmosphere, radiating back out into space, is aborbed by greenhouse gases and re-emitted in all directions. This warms the Earth’s lower atmosphere as well as its surface. (BBC News.)
Human activities have a huge impact in the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; impact in the rise in temperature. Human activities such as deforestation, land use changes, and burning fossil fules have “increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by more than a third since the Industrial Revolution began.” (“The Causes of Climte Change”) We are contributing to the natural greenhouse effect by releasing more gas that traps more energy and increases the temperature. 
Why Does it Matter?
A house burning in Lake Conjola, New South Wales, on New Year’s Eve.
The global temperature is rising. With the rate global warming is increasing right now and with no significant steps being taken, the global changes will be drastic for humans and all living beings. Climtae change is already happening now and impacting our world in many different aspect. We can already see how the current global temperature increase of 1°C, since the start of the Industrial Revolution, is impacting our planet. (“The Globe Is Already Above 1°C, on Its Way to 1.5°C.”).
Last summer in 2019, Europe was hit with a heat wave that broke heat recordes. This year, the increase in temperature and droughts forming resulted to the massive bushfire in Australia. Wildife, nature and peoples lives and homes are at risk because of the rising global temperature.
If our actions do not change, it is inevitable that our 1.5°C target would reach 2°C. (“Our Warming World: How Much Difference Will Half-a-Degree Really Make? | WWF.” ) The infographic, below, created by WWF shows the potentional consequences of this warming.
We are facing an existential threat and rapid prioritization of attention and action is necessary.
(Enviornment UN)
My “For Now” Response:
My plan for making an impact and creating change is to create a booklet that includes tips to be more sustainable. I wanted to make this book comprehendible to young kids. I think it is important that habits are created at an earlier age; creating habits within earlier age groups make a bigger impact to out planet. If you start earlier you will have more time to adapt and make an impact. I also wanted to make this book a way for people to find easy, cheap, and quick tips on how to be green.
After getting feedback, I am planning on revising and making it better.
LINK TO THE BOOKLET
How Can You Help?
In order for me to make the booklet better, I need your help!
Please take this survey
YOU can also change some of your habits! Be consistent! In the comments below, please share (1) which of the solutions, from the book, you want to apply, and (2) why you chose the solution(s). Keep in mind that little things make a big difference. Start today! It’s never to early to instill good habits in kids, and never too late to develop new habits of your own.
I really enjoyed reading your booklet. I think that the simplicity of each page made it all the more powerful. Additionally, great choices on photos. They really complement your word choice. Great job!
Thanks Take!
Hi Alona! Thank you for spreading awareness about climate change the diagrams and pictures included helped with reading the text. I look forward to others reading your booklet and maybe someday you can even publish it! One solution from your book that I want to incorporate is to unplug my cords and chargers because I know I’m notorious for leaving them in even when I’m not charging any appliances; therefore, I guess its a new goal of mine.
Hi Alona! I think this is a huge problem in todays society! People think that climate change isn’t real and refuse to change some of their daily actions. Because of people like you I have changed to shampoo and conditioner bars to reduce my plastic waste!
Thank you for raising awareness!
Hi Alona, I really enjoyed reading your webpage! Talking about climate change is super important and i’m glad that you are raising awareness on it. I always forget to turn off the lights whenever I leave a room. Now that I know that wasting electricity is a factor of climate change, I will definitely try harder to turn off my lights and also unplug any unused appliances.
Hey Alona! Amazing booklet –– it’s very helpful. I will definitely try to apply what I’ve learned from your presentation. Climate change is a huge & relevant problem that may feel distant from us. I’m glad that you are raising awareness on this topic.
Hi Alona! Congratulations on your page and your booklet! I love how easy it is now to create a book or any other form of written communication that can be shared on social media and raise awareness on trending topics!
Hi Alona, I really admire the topic that you chose. I agree with you, and I think that people need to learn about other ways they can help the environment, and prevent climate change. You addressed this topic very well, bringing your points across with clarity. The explanations of the graphs and charts you incorporated into your project helped me understand what they are telling us, and why they are so important. I also found your booklet very aesthetically pleasing, while being informative and suitable for any reader. Great job and congratulations!