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Does Climate Change Matter To Me?

Does Climate Change Matter To Me?

Climate change will affect our lives and change the world. Here we explain what it is, it’s effect on us, and what we can do.

What Is Climate Change?

Earth’s climate (climate is the average precipitation (rain, snow, hail, etc.), wind, and temperature of an area over a long time) has always changed. However, it changed over thousands of years. Volcanoes, oceans, and the distance from the sun all affect it. Ever since the Industrial Revolution humans have sped up climate change by burning fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas release greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and methane act like a blanket wrapped around Earth, trapping the sun’s heat. The heat comes into our atmosphere, which is good (we need greenhouse gases to trap heat to survive), but not enough escapes. This causes global warming, which has many effects on our lives.

So What Effect Does It Have On Me?

If the Earth warms too much and the climate changes, it makes it harder for humans to live here. More snow and ice would melt, causing the sea levels to rise. That means places with low elevations would be underwater! It includes a lot of the BC coastline. Everything is connected and everything would be impacted. We would also have more extreme weather events. Think droughts around the world, causing food and water scarcity. Fires, flooding, atmospheric rivers, and heat domes. We’d have way more of those. With all of this, there would be fewer places to live. There would be rising costs for food, housing, and more. If we don’t do something now, our quality of life will go downhill. With every decade, year, that passes, Earth will be less inhabitable. If we want to stop this, we need to take big steps now. 

What Can We Do?

The biggest thing we can do is encourage the Canadian government to do better. Canada is one of the countries that releases the most greenhouse gases. We also need to transition to renewable energy. This would be solar, wind, and hydro energy. When we drive our cars, heat and cool our homes, we release greenhouse gases. If you haven’t already, switch to an electric car or walk, bike, or take public transit! We also need to log less. Carbon is stored in forests, and cutting down trees releases the stored carbon. Here and here are 2 articles you can read on how to fight climate change.

If we don’t do something, our lives will be impacted more and more. If you’re looking for more resources and ways you can help, click here.

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