Climate Change | Teen Ink

Climate Change

January 20, 2023
By NeilSonar BRONZE, Hong Kong, Other
NeilSonar BRONZE, Hong Kong, Other
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

                      A brief introduction about climate change and what is causing it.  

The climate crisis is a problem which most people, like us, are underestimating, especially the youths. The way this problem works is with greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are compound elements that  form like a huge blanket that hinders the intrinsic cycle of radiation, hitting the earth and emitting from the earth. Thus, it traps the radiation, also known as heat in the mother earth. The way greenhouse gasses form is with small, compounded elements which have a vast bite, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N20) and primarily Carbon Dioxide (CO2). How are these greenhouse gasses released? Fossil fuels-coal, following oil and gas being extracted and burned to produce  electricity. Thus, CO2 is formed from these activities. We are also experiencing the amount of cold days decreasing and the amount of hot days increasing. 

                         As a youth community, what could we contribute to help? 

I think learning how to utilize water sustainably is the first prominent thing we need to do. The ability  to get clean water is crucial for human life. Conflicts over water resources may result from climate  change. We must educate ourselves on how to use water sustainably on a personal level and the  dangers to the future supply of high-quality water. People will soon feel the negative effects of the  freshwater ecosystem and water resources that are accessible, such as water shortages in certain  areas.  

We can help ensure a water supply in the future by conserving every drop and only using what is required. But how does the changing climate impact water resources? Rainfall and temperature are  the two main climatic variables that impact water supplies. Climate change has an impact on  evaporation, soil moisture, and runoff. It will result in an abundance of water in certain areas while  simultaneously creating a shortage in other areas at other periods.  

What can you do to conserve water at home? Up to 3550 liters (or 937.81 gal) of water can be  consumed daily by one person. Additionally, the percentage of high-income earners that use this  amount is rising. Similarly, to what I am doing now, engaging communities via research projects  might help them comprehend the significance of conserving water and preserving their local water  quality. By imparting your knowledge to friends and family, you may teach them the value of  preserving water resources in light of the potential for water shortage.  

Plumbing issues should be fixed quickly for simple fixes at home that will save water. A drop may not  seem like much, but over time it builds up. Making sure there are no leaky taps at home is the first  certain way to conserve water. A fast leak detector may be installed to do this.

Avoid running the  faucet while brushing your teeth, especially during winter. As you wash your hair and body with  shampoo and body soap respectively, close the tap. Every time a power shower is used, 80 liters (or  21.13 gal) of water are wasted (about 21.13 gal). Choose a basin-based sponge bath, which uses  incredibly little water. By employing an aerating shower head, the total capacity may likewise be  lowered to less than 4 liters. Place a bucket beneath the shower-head to collect any water that is not  being utilized as you wait for the shower to heat up rather than staying away from the running water.  This can then be used for gardening or any other appropriate activity. 

Next, select climate-friendly or sustainable modes of transportation. Instead of driving a private  vehicle, you may cut down on emissions from the transportation sector by cycling, walking, or utilizing public transportation. 

Reduced emissions from the transportation sector may also occur from choosing rail transportation.  Fun fact: Pinto et al. claimed that if we build intermodal road-rail infrastructure, we can reduce  transportation-related emissions by 77.4%! Nevertheless, climate change poses a hazard to rail  transportation. The expansion or buckling of railway tracks due to elevated temperatures can lead to  severe derailments. 

Then, recycle, reuse, and reduce. Preventing garbage from being produced in the first place is one  strategy to decrease waste. For instance, avoid purchasing anything with extensive packing.  Purchasing only what you require might assist you in lowering unnecessarily high product usage.  Excessive consumption of items is harmful to the environment. Use the reuse principle wherever you  are to prevent producing extra garbage. Lastly, discover a new application for a product to avoid its  disposal in landfills. It becomes simpler for people to put the reduce, reuse, and recycle principles into  reality as more people become aware of the significance of sustainable waste management. 

Lastly, volunteering to plant trees to alleviate climate change. Planting trees in your locality is an easy  route to increase CO2 sinks. Forests are crucial sinks for the increased CO2 amount in the atmosphere.  Forest conservation and restoration is an effective strategy to alleviate climate change. Thus, even volunteering to aid communities that are planting trees would help the environment a lot, albeit the small scale of action done by you. Once accumulated by all of us, it would make a drastic difference.  

The statements I have mentioned may be frustrating to implement but for the sake of our mother  earth, it is worth it. Money cannot rebuy the same initial earth we once lived on. I truly hope that you  have learnt something new by reading this advocacy article for climate change. The quote here truly  means a lot due to the actions we human beings are implementing, “The earth today will be more  beautiful than tomorrow.”


The author's comments:

I really do want to be an advocate about climate change and educate the individuals of my age on what climate change is and what we could do as a youth. 

I really do hope this article gets published, it has been my dream to share this article to a vast number of people.

Thank you! 


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This article has 4 comments.


on Apr. 24 2023 at 8:52 am
justarandomguy, Florida, Florida
0 articles 0 photos 29 comments

Favorite Quote:
don't let people define you, only you can.

This article helps show how our simple actions affect the world and how to help the environment.

gabs_w SILVER said...
on Feb. 27 2023 at 1:20 pm
gabs_w SILVER, Portland, Oregon
9 articles 0 photos 94 comments
This is a really important issue, and you addressed it really well. Great job!

SmithWuBen said...
on Feb. 7 2023 at 9:43 pm
SmithWuBen, Beijing, Connecticut
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
To be honest I learnt a lot of new things from this

SmithWuBen said...
on Feb. 7 2023 at 9:42 pm
SmithWuBen, Beijing, Connecticut
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
This was pretty informative and valid. Nice