Reflective summary

After my reading and some research i learnt that climate change will cause several disturbance to mankind, creatures and plants.For example, the polar bears will soon be a folk memory starved to extinction if this rate of climate change continues. By reducing our carbon footprint, we are able to reduce the impact our activities have on the environment. I have also learnt some ways to reduce carbon footprint.

My perspective have change after reading those articles such as, before reading those articles i have never thought that climate change is already happening and represents one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the planet.

I feel sorry for the polar bears as the ice bergs would have mostly melted thus leaving the polar bear homeless.The polar bears also depend on the freezing of the ocean to catch food. With the recent new of global warning, and the statements that the polar bear is the first animal to become endangered because of global warming.

To help reduce the rate of climate change, i will reduce my carbon footprint. Ways that i will apply to reduce carbon footprint are to switch off all lights and fans when not in use.Use energy saving light bulbs. Take public transport rather than use the car.

I will share this information with my neighbours and hope everyone will also reduce their carbon footprint too. As everyone has a part to play to prevent global warming.the climate is changing and human behaviour is responsible.

Reflection Three: Global Warming

What is Global warming?

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C between the start and the end of the 20th century. Most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century was very likely caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases resulting from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation.

I learnt that:

Almost 100% of the observed temperature increase over the last 50 years has been due to the increase in the atmosphere of greenhouse gas concentrations like water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and ozone. Greenhouse gases are those gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. The largest contributing source of greenhouse gas is the burning of fossil fuels leading to the emission of carbon dioxide.

My reflection:

After reading this article, i found more informations about global warming such as, when sunlight reaches Earth's surface some is absorbed and warms the earth and most of the rest is radiated back to the atmosphere at a longer wavelength than the sun light. Some of these longer wavelengths are absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere before they are lost to space. The absorption of this longwave radiant energy warms the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases act like a mirror and reflect back to the Earth some of the heat energy which would otherwise be lost to space. The reflecting back of heat energy by the atmosphere is called the "greenhouse effect". There are two major effects of global warming:
1. Increase of temperature on the earth by about 3° to 5° C (5.4° to 9° Fahrenheit) by the year 2100.
2. Rise of sea levels by at least 25 meters (82 feet) by the year 2100.

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

Reflection two: Carbon Footprint

What is carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.A carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the primary footprint and the secondary footprint.

I learnt that:
The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane). We have direct control of these.The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. To put it very simply – the more we buy the more emissions will be caused on our behalf. Some of the ways to reduce carbon footprint are:

• Turn off lights, television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc when not in use
• Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load
• Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need
• Do your weekly shopping in a single trip
• Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it
• Fit energy saving light bulbs
• Use a fridge with energy efficiency rating of "A"
• Use the bus or a train rather than your car
• For short journeys either walk or cycle
• Don't buy over packaged products
• Recycle as much as possible

My reflection:

After learning ways to reduce carbon footprint, i will apply them and share them with my family members and friends.If everyone also help to reduce carbon footprint, the amount of carbon dioxide will be reduce.I learnt an important message too, the message is the more we buy the more they manufacture.

Links:
http://www.carbonfootprint.com/carbonfootprint.html

Reflection one: climate change

Climate change is about:
The article is a description of climate change and how the European Union is working actively for a global agreement to control climate change and is taking domestic action to achieve substantial reductions in its own contribution.The article tells us why we should care about climate change.

I learned that:
Climate change is already happening and represents one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the planet.The Earth's average surface temperature has risen by 0.76° C since 1850.Over the past fifty years most of the warming is cause by emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases from the human activities. If Earth heats by another four degrees Celsius,the planet we call home would become a very unwelcoming place.Oceans have risen by at least a metre, drowning several island nations.Polar bears are a folk memory, starved to extinction in an Arctic where temperatures have soared by 15 C (27 F), nearly four-fold the global average.

My Reflection:
I think that everyone should help to slow down the rate of global warming, as everyone has a part to play to prevent global warming.the climate is changing and human behaviour is responsible. In particular increased industrial activity is releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere.We should take steps now to stem the output of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere so that we can slow climate change. Many people argue that the problem is so big that they cannot make a difference.

links:
http://www.ncm.org/news/articles/climate_change_why_should_we_care/
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm