Climate Change Explained

One huge problem that made its way to your TV sets with the news programs and into your classrooms is climate change. Understanding “climate change for kids” is important because it helps young people learn about the impacts of environmental changes and how they can contribute to protecting the planet. 

We will try to give you an easy answer to what climate change means and why parents and kids alike should understand it. In this guide, we try to break the exposition of climate change into easily understandable chunks for both parents and kids. Let's talk about climate change: what it is, why it happens, and how it's affecting our planet. We'll also share some easy and fun ways where kids can help make a difference.

What is Climate Change and How Does It Affect the Planet?

Understanding Climate Change

Climate change refers to the veering or changing of the average weather over a long period. It's not about how the weather may be different from one day to another but talks about the long-term trends of how hot or cold, wet or dry it is. These changes may make summers hotter, winters colder, and storms stronger. 

Weather vs Climate

It's helpful to clarify what's meant by 'weather' and 'climate':

Weather would be what you see outside now. It may change day to day or even hour to hour. For example, today it may be sunny this morning but rain this afternoon. Climate is what the usual weather is in a place over a long period, say 30 years. For example, you might say a place has a warm and dry or cold and snowy climate. 

How Climate Change Affects the Planet

Several effects of climate change have gripped our planet. The most important ones are as follows: 

Rise in Temperature: The earth is getting warm. This shows that, compared to the past years, temperatures are above average. This rising time probably results in heat waves—periods of extremely hot weather that are dangerous to people and animals.

Melting Ice: Actually, the melting of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, together with glaciers in mountains, has actually been realized at a rate higher than the highest in history. The melting ice also contributes to a rise in sea levels, which might well cause flooding along coastlines where most human settlements are.

Extreme Weather: Climate change can juice up storms like hurricanes and typhoons. It can also give really terrible droughts—at times when it never seems to rain—with very heavy rainfall that oftentimes causes flooding.

Habit change: Through the changed climate, places will have to be changed where plants and animals live. Some will move to cooler places; some can't survive if it e.g. becomes too hot or too dry for them in their habitat.

Ocean Changes: Oceans are turning acidic from absorbing more carbon dioxide. This increase in acidity is bad news for marine life, most especially things like coral and shellfish.

How Do Human Activities Contribute to Climate Change?

Human beings are one of the prime causes of climate change. Here's how our activities are influencing the rising climate: 

Burning Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—are consumed by cars, heating houses, and production of electricity. When these fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide into the air, among other gasses. The released heat, in turn, is trapped by these gasses, hence heating up the planet. This process is what is called the "greenhouse effect."

Deforestation

Trees are very good at absorbing CO2 and producing oxygen: Due to deforestation for agriculture, construction, or wood production purposes, there are fewer trees remaining to handle the absorption of CO2. This increases the quantity of CO2 in the air and reduces the habitat of the animals as well.

Agricultural use

Agriculture, especially raising animals produces methane. Methane happens to be a very efficient greenhouse gas. Methane is produced in the stomach of cows during digestion. The manure spread in plants produces nitrous oxide, yet another greenhouse gas.

Industrial Process and Manufacturing

Most industries emit greenhouse gasses as part of their production. Cement production process itself is emitting huge volumes of CO2. Chemical and other producing factories can also emit a number of harmful gasses into the atmosphere. 

Wastes

Waste mostly goes to landfills when we throw things away. When wastes decay, methane is developed from them. Besides, through the burning of wastes, injurious chemicals like CO2 and others are released into the air. 

How Can Kids Fight Climate Change?

Though climate change is a huge issue, there are tons of small things kids can do to make things right. Here are some fun and easy ways kids can help. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. These three Rs help safeguard our planet: 

Reduce: Use less of everything. For example, less use of water, turn out lights while going out of a room, or not buying things which have an over-packaging. 

Re-use: When possible, use things more than once. For example, re-use by writing on both sides of a paper or you can donate your old clothes and toys rather than throwing them.

Recycling: Adding things like paper, plastic, glass and metal to your garbage so that they may be used to make new products will preserve the natural resources and reduce pollution to the minimum. 

Save Energy

When energy is saved, many greenhouse gases are automatically avoided. Here's how kids can help in saving energy:

Turn Off Lights: Always turn off your light when you leave a room.

Turn Off Plugged Appliances: All types of chargers and other electrical appliances consume electricity even if they are not in operational use; turn them off.

Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs: Ask your family members to use energy-efficient light bulbs. The quantity of electricity consumed by this sort of light bulb is less and it can last for a more extended period.

Plant Trees and Gardens

These plants and trees absorb CO2 and release oxygen, which is very brilliant for the health of the planet. Here's how you can contribute to it:

Plant a Tree: Trees can absorb enormous amounts of CO2. You can participate in tree-planting activities or just plant one in your backyard.

Start a Garden: Planting your own food and flowers is so much fun and healthy for nature, too. It will also help you connect more to plants and nature.

Walk, Bike, or Take Public Transport.     

With fewer cars running on the road, there will be lesser emission of CO2. The following are some of the alternatives for moving around other than cars: 

Walk or Bike: If you can walk or bike to school, your friend's house, or a local park, this is exercise that doesn't emit CO2. Carpooling: Sharing a ride with friends or neighbors means fewer cars on the road and therefore less emissions. Public Transportation: Buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation are capable of moving lots of people at one time and are far more efficient than driving alone. Educate/Advocate

Knowing and sharing about climate change really makes a difference. The more you know, the more you can help. Learn More: You can read books, watch videos, even in connection with projects, on the aspect of climate change. Share What You Know: Share what you know with your family, friends, and even at school with your teachers. You can even present it at school!

Join or initiate a club: In case of having an environmental club, then you can join; otherwise, you may start one at your school. Environmental clubs might work on projects like: programs of recycling, tree-planting energy-saving campaigns. 

The support towards the making of sustainable choices is helpful to take care of the environment.

Buy Local and Organic: Locally grown foods don't use up that much fuel to reach you. Organic foods are not grown with bad chemicals, which is good for the earth.

Eco-Friendly Products: Try using those products made from recycled materials and which involve less packaging.

Eat Less –Meat: If people will stop eating meat, the number of rearing would decrease and as a result of this, fewer GHGs would be emitted. At least people can have meatless meals a few times a week.

Conclusion

Climate change does affect everyone, including kids. After all, understanding what climate change is and how it occurs would be a good starting point in making a difference. There are so many little things kids can do about the big problem: reducing waste, saving energy, planting trees, making sustainable choices—kids can do their big share in protecting our planet.

Always remember, every small act counts. Together we can do it; together we can all make the world a better place by making smart choices to slow climatic changes. So get started and make a difference—one small step at a time!

FAQS

What is climate change in simple words?

Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional and global climates. These changes have a broad range of observed effects that are synonymous with the term.

What is the cause of climate change in kids?

The primary cause of climate change is driving cars, creating electricity, and cutting down forests – not natural changes in the climate. These human activities release gasses into the atmosphere called greenhouse gasses, which slowly warm the planet, creating climate change.

What are the five main effects of climate change?

• Hotter temperatures. As greenhouse gas concentrations rise, so does the global surface temperature. 

• More severe storms. 

• Increased drought. 

• A warming, rising ocean. 

• Loss of species.

What is the concept of climate change?

Climate change is a long-term shift in the average weather conditions of a region, such as its typical temperature, rainfall, and windiness. Climate change means that the range of conditions expected in many regions will change over the coming decades. This means that there will also be changes in extreme conditions.