Climate change is not just an adult problem. It affects you, the kid reading this, every day. Think about it. Have you noticed that each year seems to get warmer? Maybe you’ve seen more wildfires, droughts, or severe storms. This isn’t a coincidence; it’s climate change knocking on our doors.
Picture this: your home filled with gadgets running on electricity. Electricity has become a lifeline since the late 1800s. But do you know where most of our electricity comes from? Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas have been powering our world for years. And boy, are we using a lot of them! Seven billion tons of coal annually and around 100 million barrels of oil daily – that’s no small amount.
Now, here’s the thing about fossil fuels: they’re not just energy sources; they are also major contributors to climate change. When we burn these fuels for energy, they release carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere – greenhouse gases that trap heat and make the Earth warmer than it should be.
As humans keep burning fossil fuels like there’s no tomorrow (pun intended), we’re not only heating up the planet but also creating health hazards through pollutants. These harmful emissions hit low-income communities and people of color the hardest because often they live near pollution hotspots due to housing discrimination.
And guess what? Cars and trucks add insult to injury by spewing out carbon dioxide during transportation activities – contributing over a third of carbon emissions in some countries! But hold on – it’s not just vehicles causing trouble; industries like cement and steel production play their part too by emitting substantial amounts of carbon dioxide into the air.
Let’s talk food now. Did you know cows release greenhouse gases when they burp or poop? Yep, even agriculture contributes significantly to global emissions as trees are cut down for farming lands releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
If we continue down this road paved with pollution and emissions unchecked, brace yourself for
“The Bad Future.”
Imagine hotter days cancelling school or sports events due to extreme heatwaves; water scarcity hitting hard in some regions while wildfires devastate homes and habitats worldwide.
Coastal areas won’t be spared either as rising sea levels flood communities displacing millions globally by century-end while marine life struggles with warming acidic waters putting coral reefs at risk of extinction.
But hey, there’s hope! Introducing
“The Better Future”
– a realm where renewable energies soar high without harming nature further; cities thrive on public transport reducing individual carbon footprints drastically; industries innovate greener production methods lowering emissions significantly.
In
“The Better Future,”
electric cars rule the roads instead of gasoline guzzlers improving both air quality and reducing greenhouse gas outputs substantially. Buildings stand tall made from sustainable materials promoting energy efficiency throughout society.
Food habits evolve towards plant-based diets reducing livestock emissions while embracing sustainable farming practices adapting crops to changing climates gracefully – lessening wildfire risks along with ensuring healthier harvests globally.
Forests become shields against climate chaos absorbing excess CO2 from our actions while indigenous wisdom leads conservation efforts hand in hand with wealthier nations supporting vulnerable regions coping better with impending changes ahead.
Yes, it sounds daunting but remember – we have choices today that can shape tomorrow differently! Though climate impacts are inevitable due to past actions, collaborative efforts between governments, businesses & individuals could steer us towards mitigating worst-case scenarios effectively bringing forth “The Better Future.”
So kiddo reading this guide…what future will YOU choose?
Written by Julia Rosen & Yuliya Parshina-Kottas
Illustrated by Yuliya Parshina-Kottas
Leave feedback about this