Volume 04, Number 10
Kids
Global Warming
By Rena Ogura (13) of Global Kids Academy
Global warming has been watched with keen interest in the past few years. There is a movie called An Inconvenient Truth—an Academy award-winning documentary made by Al Gore. It is based on the facts and the reality of what global warming is causing. Nowadays people are even more interested in the subject, still, curiosity will not stop this crisis. We need to do something about it.
Global warming is the increase of earth's atmosphere and ocean temperature. The main cause of global warming is uncertain, but the leading theory right now is the green gas theory (Greenhouse effect). This effect is the process in which the earth's surface is warmed by the emission of infrared radiation in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are made by natural processes. Without any of these gases the earth would be 30 degrees centigrade cooler.
Human activities are rapidly increasing the amount of green gases. Some examples are clearing lands and agriculture. The increase of the world population is leading to clearing more lands. These human activities kill plants and trees and without trees, carbon dioxide won't be converted into oxygen. Also, the water pollutions caused by our usage of oils kill corals that are important for the earth in order to absorb the carbon dioxide in the ocean. Hence, it is more than 90 percent absolute that global warming is caused by humans. Some scientists say that even if every single person in the world stops using cars in the next few years, global warming will be almost unstoppable. Still, global warming is not new to the earth. It has constantly been happening every few centuries and after each one there has always been an ice age. The ice age coming after the global warming has always been affected by the size of the global warming. If the warming was on a small scale, the ice age was on a small scale too. When the warming was on a huge scale, so was the ice age. Compare the global warming today, and the last warming a few centuries ago. The difference is clear. There has not been any warming that is increasing in such a rapid speed in a high rate. Its scale is massive. This can mean that the ice age coming up will be immense.
What can we do to prevent this major phenomenon?
Something easy to do is to begin with our homes. We can exchange our light bulbs with a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). It uses 60 percent less energy than a normal light bulb. Also half of the carbon dioxide comes from heating and cooling our dwellings. If people set their air conditioners down by two degrees in the winter and two degrees more during summer, about 910kg of carbon dioxide would be saved each year. Cleaning our air conditioners regularly can save us about 160kg of carbon dioxide each year.
A few adjustments can make a big difference and can not only save the world but also your money. I think that we are facing a very serious problem. I am really worried that it will be too late for us by the time we are the age of 50 or 60. The curiosity to learn and the will to do something about global warming can preserve the earth's beauty and spare our lives.
Kids' Guide to Global Warming: How We Can Make a Difference.
By Michael Fukutomi Boice (13) of Global Kids Academy
Global warming is the increase of temperature in the atmosphere. Solar rays travel to the earth. Some stay in the atmosphere and keep the earth warm, and some rays bounce right off the earth. This controls the earth's temperature. But in recent years, greenhouse gases have been trapping solar rays, causing the earth's temperature to rise. One type of greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2). We humans, emit a lot of CO2 everyday. By now, I think you know that global warming doesn't mean a nice warm vacation right at home, but a catastrophe in climate.
Leaders of the world are starting to recognize this problem. However, global warming cannot be stopped by a couple of leaders. Individuals like us need to help. This doesn't mean you have to plant a whole rain forest but all the things we do to help can count. Simple things like unplugging the TV when you're not using it or adjusting the thermostat of your air conditioner, can help the earth. If you're thinking that the adults will do it all, boy you are wrong. Some aren't even aware of what's going on. If global warming keeps on going, it's our generation that's going to get most affected. In the end it's your choice, all I can do is inform you. So, if you're willing to help, read on. If you're not, remember regret is a very bad feeling. Don't wait until species and lands are lost for good.
Before we explore the ways of reducing our CO2 emission, let's find out how much we emit. You can find a carbon calculator on Al Gore's website about An Inconvenient Truth: www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/ carboncalculator/. When we reduce CO2 as much as we have emitted, we become carbon neutral. This is our goal. It's not too hard to guess that airplanes emit the most CO2. Cars emit a lot of CO2 too. America emits the most CO2. If a person walked instead of driving 10 miles, they would eliminate 500 pounds of CO2 (in America).
Reducing CO2 emission is not as hard as it sounds and it's a matter of making the right choices. Here are some simple ways to reduce CO2 that I found on Al Gore's website and www.climatecrisis.net and in the April 9th issue of Time Magazine featuring the Global Warming Survival Guide.
• Use fluorescent light bulbs
• Use a clothesline or an energy-efficient laundry machine
• Donate old clothes
• Turn the temperature up on your cooler and down on your heater
• Eat less beef
• Eat local fresh food
• Carry around your own bag instead of collecting plastic bags
• Dress appropriately for the temperature
• Unplug electronics that aren't being used
• Use less packaging
These steps aren't hard. If everybody pitches in, we can stop global warming. So, spread the word. Remind your parents. You can even write letters to government officials. Just remember that although we are kids, together we can have a big impact on the world.