Climate change is the gradual heating of the planet due to changes in the earth’s atmosphere. Humans contribute to climate change through greenhouse emissions from coal electric plants, car fuel consumption and inefficient energy consumption.
Climate change is increasing the number and intensity of heat waves, cyclones and storms. It is causing ocean warming and sea level rise, and damaging agriculture.
Efforts are being made internationally to combat climate change through initiatives such as the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions. Individuals and organisations are also working towards climate change and research is underway into sustainable energy.
At a personal level, we can all help reduce greenhouse emissions by making a few small but important changes in our lifestyles.
Tips for helping the climate:
- Travel lightly: Walk or bike instead of driving a car. Cars and trucks run on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- Energy efficient lighting: Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. These energy-efficient bulbs help fight climate change because they reduce the amount of fossil fuels that utilities burn.
- Recycle: Products made from recycled paper, glass, metal and plastic reduce carbon emissions because they use less energy to manufacture than products made from completely new materials. Recycling paper also saves trees and lets them continue to reduce climate change naturally by removing carbon from the atmosphere.
- Pump tyres: Fully inflated tyres will provide better fuel efficiency, so your car will burn less fuel and emit less carbon.
- Plant native trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it as their energy source, producing oxygen for us to breathe. Trees shading a house can reduce the energy required to run the air conditioner and save carbon emissions.
- Reduce heating: Heating and air conditioning uses considerable energy in Australian homes. Turn down the heat or air conditioning when you leave the house or go to bed. You can easily install a thermostat that can save up money and carbon.
- Buy renewable energy. Buy green electricity produced from renewable energy sources such as windmills and solar panels.
- Act globally, eat locally. If you shop at a supermarket, the food you buy may travel in a plane from the other side of the world, burning fossil fuels the entire trip. Buy locally produced food and you will find fresh and healthy food, and help save our climate.
Sources: The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) and Act Now (www.actnow.com.au)