Environment

Climate change, also called global warming, refers to the changes in the climate and a rise in the average temperatures on Earth. 97% of scientists agree that climate change is happening and the main cause is from an increase in greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide, methane and Nitrous Oxide) in the atmosphere. These trap the heat from the sun, which is making the Earth hotter. This is known as the greenhouse effect. Over the last few years, there has been more extreme weather events, like floods, droughts, wildfires and heat waves.

1. What is the main cause of global warming?

Deforestation

Rainforests help to control global warming because they absorb carbon dioxide. In recent years, larges areas have been destroyed, as trees are cut down for wood or burned to clear the land for farming. The burning releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Many rainforests grow on poor soils, so when they are cut down or burned the soil is washed away in tropical rains, so that the area may turn into desert. Many plant and animal species that live there can become extinct, and indigenous tribes can lose their homes.

4. How do rainforests help to control global warming?

Pollution

Air pollution and climate change are closely linked. Often it is the same gases that create the poor air quality in cities especially which can cause serious health problems for people living in urban areas. Water pollution is a huge problem and unclean water is a major threat to human health. Water pollution happens when dangerous chemicals from factories, farming and other industries are allowed into rivers, lakes and oceans and into our water systems. Plastic waste is also a big problem. Soil pollution is also a big problem. The use of fertilizer and pesticides can contaminate land and threaten food security.

7. Why is taking the train better for the environment than planes? 

Renewable energy

Up until now, most of the energy we used came from coal, oil and gas (fossil fuels). But these will not last forever and burning them is a major cause of climate change. Many countries are now choosing to use renewable sources for their energy needs. Solar energy from the sun, wind power from turbines, hydroelectric energy from rivers and sea water, and geothermal power, taking heat from the centre of the Earth are the main sources of renewable energy. Countries like Iceland and Costa Rica are leading the way, with Iceland getting 100% of its energy from these renewable sources.

6. Which countries use the most renewable energy?

Decide if you think the following ideas:

a) will happen in the next 50 years?

b) could happen?

c) won’t happen?

1. Most cars will be electric

2. Alternative energy will be more important than coal and oil

3. You will recycle all your bags, cans and paper.

4. Almost all the rainforests will disappear.

5. The climate will get worse.

6. The next generation will care more about the environment than the present one.

7. In elections, environmental issues will become more important than any other issues.

8. Cars will be banned from cities.

9. People will destroy the Earth.