How does climate change affect us?
The Earth's climate is changing. Climate change is one of the biggest problems in the world today, and human activities are the main cause. But there is still time to limit it, and we can all do our part!
The greenhouse effect
A greenhouse is a glass house for growing plants. The heat from the Sun goes in, but it cannot escape, so it is warm inside even at night. The Earth's atmosphere works in the same way: a layer of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, keeps some of the Sun's heat. That is good, because without it the Earth would be frozen. But when there is too muchcarbon dioxide, too much heat is trapped and the planet gets hotter. This is global warming.
Who is responsible?
When we burn fossil fuels, like oil and coal, in cars, planes and factories, carbon dioxide goes into the atmosphere.
What are the consequences?
What can you do? Reduce your carbon footprint
Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide that goes into the atmosphere because of the things you do.
- 1💡 Save electricity
Turn off lights and appliances when you are not using them.
- 2🚲 Walk, cycle or take the bus
Walk or cycle to school, or use public transport.
- 3♻️ Reduce, reuse and recycle
Buy less, use things again and put waste in the right bin.
- 4🌳 Plant trees
Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air.
All living things depend on nature: the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. Some people work to protect it, like Jane Goodall, who studied and protected chimpanzees, and Vandana Shiva, who defends ecological farming. Which job would you choose to help the Earth?