GLOBAL WARMING
Sometimes little things can turn into big problems. Think about brushing your teeth. If you don't brush for one day, chances are nothing bad will happen. But if you don't brush your teeth for one month, you may develop a cavity. It's the same thing with global temperatures. If temperatures rise above normal levels for a few days, it's no big deal – the Earth will stay more or less the same. But if temperatures continue to rise over a longer period of time, then the Earth may experience a catastrophe!
Toastmaster of the Day, Fellow Toastmasters & Distinguished guests. A very warm good evening to all of you!
Are you aware of the reason for the increase in the number of instances of flooding all over the world?
GLOBAL WARMING!
Over the past century, the Earth has increased in temperature by about 0.5 degrees Celsius and many scientists believe this is because of an increase in concentration of the main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorocarbons, these greenhouse gases trap energy in the atmosphere and make the Earth warmer.
Have you ever seen a greenhouse? Most greenhouses look like a small glass house. Greenhouses are used to grow plants, especially in the winter. Greenhouses work by trapping heat from the sun. This causes the greenhouse to heat up and keeps the plants warm enough to live in the winter.
The Earth’s atmosphere is all around us. It is the air that we breathe. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere behave much like the glass panes in a greenhouse. Sunlight enters the Earth's atmosphere, passing through the blanket of greenhouse gases. As it reaches the Earth's surface, land, water, and biosphere absorb the sunlight’s energy. Once absorbed, this energy is sent back into the atmosphere. Some of the energy passes back into space, but much of it remains trapped in the atmosphere by the greenhouse gases, causing our world to heat up.
What Might Happen?
Even a small increase in temperature over a long time can change the climate. When the climate changes, there may be big changes in the things that people depend on. These things include the level of the oceans and the places where we plant crops. They also include the air we breathe and the water we drink.
We Can Make a Difference
Climate change may be a big problem, but there are many little things we can do to make a difference. If we try, most of us can do our part to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that we put into the atmosphere. Many greenhouse gases come from things we do every day.
Driving a car or using electricity is not wrong. We just have to be smart about it. Some people use less energy by carpooling. For example, four people can ride together in one car instead of driving four cars to work.
Here are some additional ways you can help make the planet a better place!
Some Things to Think About
RecycleDid you know that you can help the environment if you buy recyclable products instead of non-recyclable ones? Look for the recycle mark – three arrows that make a circle – on the package. Recyclable products are usually made out of things that already have been used. It usually takes less energy to make recycled products than to make new ones. The less energy we use, the better.
Solar EnergyImagine that it's a hot summer day. You put a scoop of ice cream on the sidewalk, and it melts. Why? Well, you probably know that the sun causes the ice cream to melt. But you may not know that the sun produces solar energy. Solar energy is a fancy way of saying "energy that comes from the sun." Solar energy can be used to heat homes, water- heaters, to generate electricity, etc.
CarsCars are an important part of life for most people. But cars also cause pollution and release a lot of greenhouse gases into the air. Fortunately, there are some cars that are better for the environment. These cars can travel longer on a smaller amount of gasoline. Using these kinds of cars can help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the air.
ENERGY STAR®Many things, like computers, TVs, stereos, and VCRs, have special labels on them. The label says "Energy" and has a picture of a star. Products with the ENERGY STAR® label are made to save energy. Buying products with ENERGY STAR® labels will help protect the environment.
Plant TreesPlanting trees is fun and a great way to reduce greenhouse gases. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas from the air.
Talk to Your Family and FriendsTalk to your family and friends about climate change. Let them know what Global Warming is about.
Lets make it as our mission to cool the globe
Lets act today & not to wait till tomorrow as what Ida Scott Taylor, the famous Author says,
“Procrastination usually results in sorrowful regret. Today's duties put off until tomorrow gives us a double burden to bear; the best way is to do them in their proper time."
Over to the Toastmaster of the Day!
