Büşra Akbıyık, ESC Volunteer from Türkiye
The climate system includes the atmosphere, land surfaces, snow and ice, oceans and other bodies of water, and living things. This system changes over time, under the influence of its own internal dynamics or depending on changes in external factors.
Causes of Climate Change
There have been a number of large variations in the Earth’s climate. There are some natural factors such as changes in the sun, emissions from volcanoes, variations in Earth’s orbit and levels of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Global climate change has typically occurred very slowly, over thousands or millions of years. However, research shows that the current climate is changing more rapidly than shown in geological records.
What are the external influences that cause the Earth’s climate to change?
Human activities have a major impact on climate change. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal is the main responsible for the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Change in atmosphere directly affects climate. Cutting down forests increasingly influencing the climate and the earth’s temperature. Chemical wastes also cause climate change. Chemicals are used in industrial processes, cleaning products and agriculture. Chemicals cause chemical pollution. Chemical wastes negatively affect the environment, seas, oceans, climate and atmosphere.
Effects of Climate Change on Animals and Plants
Climate change has a serious effect on ecosystems and living species. For instance melting of glaciers due to climate change is making the living conditions of polar bears and penguins more difficult. Increasing temperatures, disruption of seasonal balances are destroying the habitats of animals. Due to climate changes, animals cannot migrate, some animals wake up early from hibernation. It’s getting harder to find water and food for them. Rising sea levels are threatening the habitat of sea turtles. Due to the climate change, average temperature increases, droughts, changes in humidity and precipitation regime cause forest fires to increase. An increase in the frequency of forest fires is expected in the Mediterranean Region.
Individual Solutions to Climate Change
We can protect the environment and climate by taking some precautions in our homes;
Save energy. Use energy-saving products. Turn off lights and pull out the plugs when you don’t use.
Reduce the use of plastic. Get a shopping bag that you can use for a long time. Do not buy plastic bags for shopping.
Use public transport, walk or ride a bike instead of a car. Try to prefer trains, buses instead of planes. Airplanes cause a lot of gas emissions.
Use solar energy. You can provide a significant part of your hot water needs from solar energy.
Keep the lid of your pot closed while cooking or boiling water. In this way, you can save gas. Heat only water as you need in the kettle.
Separate garbage for recycling. Recycling is very important in terms of protecting the environment and climate.
Natural and organic products can be used instead of heavy chemicals in daily life.
What Can We Do as Volunteers for Climate Change?
From this year, the European Solidarity Corps is creating a new opportunity for volunteers. The point is to protect nature and green. You will have more budget if you travel by train and bus instead of plane. This trip is called “green travel”. In this way, you both protect nature and have more budget, and you can travel with magnificent views!
Sources
Comments by volunteerESC