The Climate Crisis: Time to Act

 We often describe the Philippines as a resilient country. A country that remains strong and brave amidst every calamities and disasters. It is true and it is very noticeable. There are a lot of challenges that Filipino faces and one of it is the climate change.

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions.

But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. 

Imagine our planet wrapped in a cozy blanket. This blanket is made up of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which naturally trap some of the sun's heat, keeping earth warm enough for life to thrive. However, since the Industrial Revolution, we've been adding more and more of these gases to the blanket, making it thicker and trapping more heat. This is like adding extra layers to a blanket on a hot summer day and it gets uncomfortably warm.

The primary culprit behind this thickening blanket is our reliance on fossil fuels, like coal, oil, and natural gas. When we burn these fuels to power our cars, factories, and homes, we release massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Think of it like breathing out, we exhale carbon dioxide, and so do our cars and power plants

But it's not just about burning fossil fuels. Our deforestation practices also contribute to the problem. Trees act as giant carbon sponges, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their wood and roots.

When we cut down forests, we release that stored carbon back into the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect. It's like taking away a sponge from a bathtub full of water and the water level rises.

The consequences of our actions are becoming increasingly evident. We're witnessing more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms. Sea levels are rising, threatening coastal communities. These changes are not just abstract scientific data. They are affecting people's lives, livelihoods, and even their homes.

References:

https://pin.it/3xRFVcwv2 - Fossil fuel pollution causes 1 in 5 deaths globally: study

https://pin.it/R5nxUqf3M-Carbon Pricing Can Help Save Forests and the Climate– Analysis Says

https://pin.it/5pS4ilWe6-The Best Places To Live To Be Safe From Climate Change