My Life My Choices_Draft 04_AK

MY LIFE MY CHOICES Have you ever wondered about Global Warming? Do you get worried when you think about Climate Change or the Greenhouse Effect? You might have heard about them on the news, or from your teacher. You may have even made posters on \"Save water, Save Life\" and \"Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.\"

BUT WHAT DO THESE WORDS MEAN? Let's take a closer look GREENHOUSE EFFECT Carbon dioxide and other air pollutants absorb harmful sun rays that bounce off the earth’s surface. This causes the planet to get hotter. This effect is called greenhouse effect and the gases that cause this is called greenhouse gases. GLOBAL WARMING The heating of the earth due to activities such as burning of fossil fuels like coal or gas, leads to harmful greenhouse gases getting trapped in the Earth's atmosphere. The greenhouse effect raises the overall temperature of the planet, which is known as global warming. CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change is the result of global warming, where, over a period of time, the rising temperature of the planet starts to become more permanent and results in huge long lasting changes in the overall weather of the planet.

Now, how big is the problem really? The reality is that if the earth becomes even 2 degrees celsius hotter due to global warming, more than 70 percent of Earth's coastlines will see sea- level rise, resulting in coastal flooding, beach erosion, salinization of water supplies and other impacts on humans and ecological systems. There will be more frequent disasters like droughts, floods and storms. Many homes, habitats and landscapes will be lost to these disasters. Pests and insects that cause diseases in humans will increase in numbers. Shocking isn't it? Many of our beautiful coastlines, landscapes, plants and animals will be lost; and more and more people will suffer from bad weather, storms, floods, droughts and other calamities.

STRESS ON NATURAL RESOURCES So, you may wonder, what does this have to do with me ? The fact is, your choices can make a real difference! At a time, when the planet is under stress, we ought to be mindful of the way we use our resources. Do you know how stressed our natural resources are? We know that Water is the source of life. But, did you know that water is required for almost every activity that we do? From household activities to food production, from manufacturing activities to energy production., water is required everywhere. So, when you don't use water mindfully, or buy something that you don't need and throw them away quickly, you are not only wasting water, but also causing pollution and contributing to Greenhouse Gas emissions. Us humans are land animals. Without the life bearing Soil on the land, we will not be able to produce our food or make our homes. But, heavy use of pesticides, plastic pollution, and soil erosion caused by loss of vegetation, is degrading the soil and even the ground water. Although we do not see it, we know that we cannot exist without Air. Polluted air causes harmful health defects. It causes breathlessness, increases heart rates and even causes cancer. It also creates smog which makes the air heavy and dark. The fumes from vehicles and factories, fumes from burning of waste, fumes from bursting of crackers etc., are the major contributors of air pollution.

While it is very easy to say that we would like to see a world where people don’t pollute and climate change doesn’t exist, polluting is not as simple as not dropping a plastic wrapper on the road. Every choice we make, from purchasing clothes from unsustainable brands to turning on the air conditioner even when the weather is not that hot, affects our planet. Let us not wait for others to take the lead! You can be the change you want to see. It is time for us all to save our future, and become more sustainable in our day-to-day life.

SOME MISTAKES WE CAN FIX TODAY! Sleeping Brushing your with the teeth with AC turned the tap on all night water running Leaving the TV or laptop turned on Taking too Throwing long to away food shower in hot water.

SOME MISTAKES WE CAN FIX TODAY! Leaving the Shopping a lights on lot, when you leave a especially room for items you don't Not segregating household waste. need Accepting Using a car for groceries short walkable in plastic distances bags

After all, this is your life, and the choices you make will not only affect your future, but the future of the planet as well! So, what will your choice be?

Scripted and Designed by Anupriya Khare Icons and Information Courtesy: www.dental-tribune.com | www.washingtonpost.com | www.science.thewire.in | www.wikipedia.com | www.pngtree.com | www.flaticon.com Copyright ©2021 by CLAP, All rights reserved