Extras
| An Inconvenient Truth | Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jun 24 2007 at 10:06 pm |
So just what's the deal? It may seem like one day someone's telling you Global Warming exists, the next someone else is telling you it doesn't. Does it? The evidence and the science seem to shout that it does, and it's bad. 0% of science journals surveyed recently disputed it, but 53% of newspapers did. Will you trust the scientists (who work with facts) or the journalists (whose job it is to create controversial newspapers that sell)?
Recently I've been intrigued to watch the film An Inconvenient Truth, which is a documentary version of a slideshow that Al Gore (yes, the famous American who was nearly president) shows arond the world. It was quite a wake up call to act now to save the world. In his show, Al lays out the evidence for global warming in a clear and fun way. It is staggering.
At least 279 species of animals are moving closer to the poles in response to rising temperatures.
Deaths from global warming will double in 25 years to 300,000 people a year.
Global sea levels could soon rise by more than 6 metres with the loss of shelf ice in Greenland and Antarctica, devastating coastal areas worldwide.
The Arctic ocean could be ice free in summer by 2050, causing the possible extinction of polar bears who have nowhere to rest.
More than a million species worldwide could be driven to extinction by 2050.
Tell your parentsLet's be honest, it's probably not you that does the shopping for electricity, drives the car and runs the tumble drier in your house. So talk to the people that do! (Just think about how you do it first, generally just telling your parents what to do isn't a good idea!)
Unplug and switch off
You might be surprised just how much power you can save by unplugging your mobile phone or games console charger when you aren't using it, and switching off your TV or stereo rather than leaving it on standby. That electricity saving converts into less carbon that needs burning, and so less global warming.
Recycle!
So so so so simple. Just about everyone reading this should get orange bags delivered to your door. Use them! Even if your parents don't you can have a bag in your room, put old paper, empty bottles and cans in it, you'll be surprised how quickly it fills up! Another really simple way of recycling is to take a carrier bag with you wherever you go so you can re-use it. It's easy to forget to take one especially when you go shopping, so take one with you always, that way you won't forget - a scrunched up carrier bag takes up very little room in your handbag or satchel.
Plant Trees
In the lifetime of a tree it will absorb at least one tonne of CO2 from the air. We need a lot of trees! Plant a few and make a difference. In fact, if you have space, plant lots!
Walk or Cycle
It seems obvious, but cars emit carbon dioxide! Use them less and you help reduce global warming. Walk or cycle places with a friend and help them to reduce their emissions too. If you really have to use a car, then try and share a lift with others so that overall there's less pollution.
If you've never seen An Inconvenient Truth, I strongly suggest you go and watch it, but even if you don't, do check out the website for it at www.climatecrisis.net for many more details and suggestions than there are here.
