It’s a matter of fact that the world’s climate has changed. Climate changes have occurred throughout history, like the Ice Ages. Earth has been through five major ice ages, the last one being 1.7 million years ago.
Nowadays, these changes can be felt first-hand, everywhere. Most importantly, scientists have registered a general temperature increase of roughly 0.74°C over the past 100 years. Data shows that more than half of this warming-about 0.4°C-has occurred since 1979. This means that our planet is getting much warmer.
This temperature increase known as Global Warming affects the lives of human beings, animals and plants alike. It causes the ice sheets to melt, causing floods that may lead to destruction. Loss of each plant represents the loss of an ecosystem. Plants being vulnerable die first, followed by animals that feed on them. And it may also effect humans.
It is time that we put together our minds to find out what can be done to protect the environment and prevent global temperatures from registering additional rises.
Not just scientists, but we can also do our bit. Even you as a child can do a lot to help prevent the rise in global warming.
Let’s Walk!
Walk as much as possible and ask your parents to do the same. Try walking to the school, gym, mall, market, doctor. You may cycle to these places as well. Pollution caused by cars adds to the green house gases. Green house gases are those that trap the heat from the sun and hence lead to warming of the earth.
Protect the environment
Protect resources by starting at home. You must switch off the lights or any electronic devices (television, radio, and computer), if not in use. Do not waste food or water.
Plant and protect as many trees as possible
Trees freshen the air and also regulate climate. Cutting a tree takes little time but it takes longer for it to grow. It is a good habit to plant a sapling every year to spread the greenery.
Recycle and re-use
When we recycle we produce less waste. By doing so we are able to protect natural resources. It is a good idea to give old newspapers, plastics and glass bottles to your local raddiwala. He/she then sends it to the recycling plant.
Be a wise shopper
Look for the recycle mark on products. This mark means that the item has been produced from recycled materials. Sometimes it is also marked to indicate whether you can recycle them after use.
Last but not least, children can lead by the example. You are the future of our planet and you can
do your bit. Each little step can add up to the bigger cause of environment protection and we can save the endangered plants and animals.
Cyndi Lauper a famous American singer said once: “People can save the world by the way they think and by the way they behave and what they hold to be important.” Our planet is important. We will work together and make our world a better place to live.
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