Most people don't think of themselves as actively working to change the world's climate. Yet in today's industrialised plastic-fantastic society, it is something we all do whether we like to face that fact or not.
Smithsonian Magazine's April 10 2014 article by Sarah Zielinski entitled "Eight Ways That Climate Change Hurts Humans" looks at ways that the changing climate will influence human life in the future - and how it is already doing so today. Some of the ways mentioned in which humans can be hurt by climate change are through heat waves, droughts and flooding.
Climate change is "a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature" (Dictionary.com). We've all heard of 'global warming' however climate change is more than just the atmospheric temperature getting warmer - it is the climate of the entire world changing.
According to the blog of Roger A. Pielke Sr., climate change may result from:
1) Natural factors
2) Natural processes within the climate system
3) Human activities that change the atmosphere's make-up and the land surface
Examples of all three are given on the blog however simple logic tells us that 'natural' factors and processes are beyond our control while the elephant in the room has been named - humans and human activity.
Examples given include the burning of fossil fuels and cutting down forests - things that lie exclusively in the human domain. Things that we contribute to on a daily basis when we turn on the heating, drive our cars or buy plastic-fantastic.
A very interesting way in which climate change has recently been brought to my attention is through advertisements for Just Digg It featuring among others South African human rights activist Desmond Tutu and Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers. From the Just Digg It website:
I very much agree that it seems like not many people are aware of climate change or of how to combat it in their daily lives. This is why we have chosen to feature Just Digg It in our list of featured websites here at What Makes People Tick? and to commit to writing more about their work in the future.
Also see for instance Stroommedia's Youtube channel for some of the videos, such as the one featuring Desmond Tutu. I'm told that "stroom" means power or electricity in Dutch, so if any of the other videos look interesting, don't hesitate to watch them as well!
Now that you understand what climate change is and why we need to be very careful with what we do to our planet, let's look at what we can each do - as individuals - to reduce the impact of climate change and work towards a better, healthier world. Website US EPA explains how you can help:
Alternatively, award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki provides the Top 10 ways you can stop climate change including greening your daily commute to work and becoming more energy efficient at home. The Canada-based David Suzuki Foundation works towards a better planet and provides a lot of interesting information on their website. I urge you to have a read to see if anything strikes your fancy!
As always, we at What Makes People Tick? very much encourage independent thought and hope that you'll find this article interesting. We encourage you to learn more about climate change and how you can contribute to stopping it by making the world a greener and healthier place!
Smithsonian Magazine's April 10 2014 article by Sarah Zielinski entitled "Eight Ways That Climate Change Hurts Humans" looks at ways that the changing climate will influence human life in the future - and how it is already doing so today. Some of the ways mentioned in which humans can be hurt by climate change are through heat waves, droughts and flooding.
Climate change is "a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature" (Dictionary.com). We've all heard of 'global warming' however climate change is more than just the atmospheric temperature getting warmer - it is the climate of the entire world changing.
According to the blog of Roger A. Pielke Sr., climate change may result from:
1) Natural factors
2) Natural processes within the climate system
3) Human activities that change the atmosphere's make-up and the land surface
Examples of all three are given on the blog however simple logic tells us that 'natural' factors and processes are beyond our control while the elephant in the room has been named - humans and human activity.
Examples given include the burning of fossil fuels and cutting down forests - things that lie exclusively in the human domain. Things that we contribute to on a daily basis when we turn on the heating, drive our cars or buy plastic-fantastic.
A very interesting way in which climate change has recently been brought to my attention is through advertisements for Just Digg It featuring among others South African human rights activist Desmond Tutu and Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers. From the Just Digg It website:
"Justdiggit is an initiative of the Naga Foundation to involve the world in the battle against desertification and climate change. Although the alarming and life-threatening changes affect all of us, it is as if most people are not yet fully aware of the problem.
Justdiggit wants to change this and raise money to initiate large-scale greenification projects. As the movement grows, it will increase the pressure on governments and organisations to take action!"Source : About Us, Just Digg It
I very much agree that it seems like not many people are aware of climate change or of how to combat it in their daily lives. This is why we have chosen to feature Just Digg It in our list of featured websites here at What Makes People Tick? and to commit to writing more about their work in the future.
Also see for instance Stroommedia's Youtube channel for some of the videos, such as the one featuring Desmond Tutu. I'm told that "stroom" means power or electricity in Dutch, so if any of the other videos look interesting, don't hesitate to watch them as well!
Now that you understand what climate change is and why we need to be very careful with what we do to our planet, let's look at what we can each do - as individuals - to reduce the impact of climate change and work towards a better, healthier world. Website US EPA explains how you can help:
"Driving a car, using electricity to light and heat your home, and throwing away garbage all lead to greenhouse gas emissions. You can reduce emissions through simple actions like changing a light bulb, powering down electronics, using less water, and recycling. This site provides more than 25 easy steps you can take at Home, School, the Office, and On the Road to protect the climate, reduce air pollution, and save money. Take action today! Small steps add up, if we all do our part."Source : What You Can Do, United States Environmental Protection Agency
Alternatively, award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki provides the Top 10 ways you can stop climate change including greening your daily commute to work and becoming more energy efficient at home. The Canada-based David Suzuki Foundation works towards a better planet and provides a lot of interesting information on their website. I urge you to have a read to see if anything strikes your fancy!
As always, we at What Makes People Tick? very much encourage independent thought and hope that you'll find this article interesting. We encourage you to learn more about climate change and how you can contribute to stopping it by making the world a greener and healthier place!