Klea P.

Baldon
BSED II- ENGLISH

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?

Climate change is a global challenge that has no

borders and to combat it, requires coordinated
works by all countries. Technically, 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. It is also a change in statistical
properties of the climate system that persists for
several decades or longer—usually at least 30
years. These statistical properties include
averages, variability and extremes.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

The main cause of climate change is global
warming, which has many consequences on
physical, biological, and human systems, as well
as other effects. Global Warming is caused by
the greenhouse effect, a natural process by
which the atmosphere retains some of the sun’s
heat, allowing Earth to maintain the necessary
conditions to host life.

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION was the

turning point when emissions of greenhouse
effect gases entering the atmosphere began to
soar.

DEFORESTATION. Forests are natural

carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide through
photosynthesis and returning oxygen to the
atmosphere.
DESTRUCTION OF MARINE
ECOSYSYTEMS. The oceans are also
carbon sinks absorbing up to 50% of carbon
dioxide. The problem is that, when they reach
their limit, the ocean acidifies and causes death
and disease among marine flora and fauna.

POPULATION INCREASE. An
increasingly numerous population needs more
and more resources, which speeds up the
increase in greenhouse gas emissions from all
production process.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

CHANGE IN ECOSYSTEMS AND

DESERTIFICATION. Variations in life
conditions in natural environments cause death,
disease and massive migrations of species.
MELTING OF POLES AND RISING OF
SEA LEVEL. Heat causes the melting of the
ice at the poles, which increases the sea level
and threatens to submerge coastal communities
and small island states.

ACIDIFICATION OF THE OCEANS.

The absorption of too much carbon dioxide
causes death and disease among fish, algae,
coral and other organisms in the sea.

EXTREME WEATHER PHENOMENA.

Hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, drought, floods,
rain and snow, all increase in their degree of
violence due to global warming, causing more
deaths, victims, refugees and material damage.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO
COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
USE ENERGY WISELY. Consider doing
all of these small changes.
 Change to energy-efficient light bulbs
 Unplug computers, TVs and other
electronics when you are not using them.

EAT FOR A CLIMATE-STABLE

PLANET. The decisions we make about food
can have a profound effect on the environment.
 Eat more meat-free meals
 Buy organic and local whenever possible
 Don’t waste food
 Grow your own

GREEN YOUR COMMUTE. The ways to

reduce your transportation emissions will also
make you healthier.
 Take a public transit
  Ride a bike or advocate for bike lanes in
your community.
 Car-share

SUPPORT OR JOIN YOUTH-LED

MOVEMENTS. All over the world, kids,
teenagers and young adults are taking matters
into their own hands in inspiring ways. Help
them grow their movement or advocacy by
joining or supporting them.

GET POLITICALLY ACTIVE AND

VOTE. Although it is important to take action
to reduce our individual carbon footprints, we
also need to focus on changing the larger
system. Vote for leaders at all levels of
government who take climate change seriously.