KIDS SPECIAL- Be a Climate Change Champion

Hello and welcome to the kids Climate Change Champion special.

If you’ve been keeping track of the news lately you’ll probably know that we’re seeing some weird changes in the weather. You may have even seen the damage caused in places where you live caused by the storms and floods that we’re now seeing a lot of. You may have heard about some more extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and bush fires that are effecting people and animals, or you may have noticed that it’s getting really hot and then really cold-the weather is getting very unpredictable.

If you haven’t noticed then that’s ok, read on for a little more information about the strange weather changes.

So, what is climate change?

Climate change or global warming is the process of our planet getting hotter. As our world gets hotter the weather will get more unpredictable. So, hotter and wetter weather causes more floods, bushfires, droughts and storms. If the weather changes too quickly then it will have an impact on humans, animals, sea life and plants.

The good news is that the more you become aware of the changes the more you can do to help the planet, you can become a Climate Change Champion.

What is causing climate change?

You may have heard of ‘Greenhouse Gases’ If you’ve ever stood in a green house in the garden you’ll notice they get very hot, this is because green houses let heat in and keep it in. This is where the name ‘Greenhouse Gases’ comes from.

Our planet is full of different gases, these gases are released into the atmosphere up in the sky and are trapped. Some gases are caused by burning coal and fuel and some come from things like farming animals and growing crops.

Greenhouse Gases are gases in the atmosphere around us that trap heat without releasing it. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing when it is balanced as it will keep us and our planet at just the right temperature, however, scientists are worried that humans are causing too many gases to be released into the atmosphere.

Another cause of climate change involves trees. Did you know that we get the oxygen we need to breathe from trees? The trees take the carbon dioxide that we breath out and we use the oxygen they give to breathe in. We can’t live without trees, they are very special and important.

Sadly lots of trees are getting cut down and not being replaced by planting new trees, this is called deforestation. If our planet looses too many trees without new trees being planted then this will have an impact on climate change.

How can we become a Climate Change Champion?

Reuse and recycle - Say no to plastic straws and bottles. Buy reusable water bottles, cups for hot drinks and reusable straws. Bamboo straws are really cool.

Use less power - Have a really quick shower and switch off lights when you leave a room.

Go green - You can speak to your parents/carers and get them to help by encouraging them to go green. Things like using eco-friendly cleaning products, (its easy to make your own too-and lots of fun). Using energy efficient light bulbs, walking when you don’t need to use the car and using reusable shopping bags and shopping local will all make a BIG difference.

Eat more veggies and less meat. Trust me veggies can be really tasty and there are so many delicious pizzas, curries, cakes and treats that are all made with only plant based foods. Eating less meat and animals products is the BIGGEST thing you can do to help with climate change as animals produce the most gases causing climate change…from all their poop!!

Maybe you could look more into how to be a Climate Change Champion. Perhaps you could get your family, friends and even your school involved and spread the word. Together we can make a difference.

Thanks for reading and please leave any comments or question that I can help with

Let make a difference by working together :)