DON BOSCO CHURCH VADODARA

In this 4 minute film, an American science teacher and a Mechanical Engineer “Bill Nye”, known for hosting the television program ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ tells us about the serious issue of Climate Change. How it affects us, why steps are needed to reduce the effects, and how can we contribute to reducing it.

Earth's climate has been changing throughout history. Most of these are caused by small changes in the Earth's orbit. But today, climate change is classified as a sudden rise in temperature. It is projected to increase from 1.2oF to 1.4oF in the last century. 10 years out of 13 record the warmest years in history and 97% of climate scientists believe that it is due to human activities. Since the Industrial Revolution, we have adapted and developed science and technology for our benefits through the natural resources around us. Though we are developing, our increased consumption of natural resources is resulting in the emission of large amounts of greenhouse gases.

Modern human activities have increased the release of non-natural greenhouse gases due to fossil fuel burning demand. The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat and our planet get warmer, we feel its effects. Oceans become the first victim of it. Oceans regulate the earth's temperature and produce earth’s 50% of the oxygen. 

Climate change has increased the global temperature of the oceans by more than 0.3oF since 1969 It has been affecting ocean supported life adversely. One of them is ocean acidification, a direct effect of increased dissolved CO2, by 30% since18th century. This effect is life-threatening on some calcifying species (oysters, clams, water-corals, deep-sea corals) and the entire food web may also be at risk.  It is bad news for millions of people who rely on seafood as their primary source of protein.

The global sea level rose about 6.7 inches in the last century. The rate in the last decades is nearly double. Since 1994, Earth has lost 400 billion tonnes of ice loss per year due to global warming. When this many tons of ice melts, shores can’t hold up water and coastal regions get flooded. Climate change has also increased adverse natural calamities. 

Remember though we are a part of the cause, we can also be a part of the solution.   How?  

Reuse/recycle things, for traveling to nearby places, walk/use public transportation, turn off electronics when not in use, eat less meat, and eat locally grown vegetables.  Last but not the least-spread the awareness about Climate Change with others.