The ISCFC is all about reducing our individual and collective contributions to climate change.
But is climate change really happening? Is it mostly caused by human activity, including our production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases?
In the United States and elsewhere, there are people who are not convinced by the science. But the great thing about science is that we use evidence to evaluate scientific questions. So what is the evidence related to climate change?
Are you or are you not convinced by the majority of climate scientists who say that climate change is real and largely human caused? Why are you convinced/not convinced? What evidence might change your mind one way or the other?
Is Climate Change Real & Human-Caused? >
What Is Really Happening? Who Is Causing It?
Most climate scientists agree the main cause of the current global warming trend is human expansion of the "greenhouse effect." What is the "greenhouse effect" and why is it effecting us?
Well, to answer that question I had to do some research. What I came up with is a lot of science talk, which isn't exactly easy to follow so I looked to my dusty old science textbook, which gave me a pretty good definition, it says that the "greenhouse effect" is the warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. How are WE causing this problem? How can WE help? Well you see, the burning of gasoline by automobiles releases carbon dioxide and other types of air pollution that contribute to global climate change, this means every time you drive to school you are adding to the millions of people polluting the Earth every day. This doesn't make you a bad person. We all do something that affects the Earth. Think about this, what if everyone just didn't drive for one whole day. I'm not sure how much of an affect it would have on the Earth but, I know fo r a fact that it would do something somewhere.
How can WE help as a whole? Well, some of you may already know but, driving a car, using electricity to light and heat your home, and throwing away garbage all lead to greenhouse gas emissions. Well, you can reduce emissions through simple actions like changing a light bulb, powering down electronics, using less water, and recycling. When buying new products for your home, look for EPA's ENERGY STAR label to help you make the most energy-efficient decision. You can find the ENERGY STAR label on more than 60 kinds of products, including appliances, lighting, heating and cooling equipment, electronics, and office equipment. Over their lifetime, products in your home that have earned the ENERGY STAR label can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 130,000 pounds and save you $11,000 on energy bills. I believe we should all try to make a difference and do something to help solve/regulate this problem.
I know that learning about how humans affect climate change really inspired me to make changes in my lifestyle and I hope it inspires you too!!