WE ARE HERE TO HELP
February 11, 2020
BY ASHLYN HALEY
Australia is known for its hot and dry summers, but it's because of climate change that their summers are long and dry. According to CNN, December's heatwave broke the record for the hottest average temperature. Some cities even had a temperature of about 113-120 degrees Fahrenheit. South Wales is where the heat hit the hardest, causing the fires.
Many people have been trapped by fires at the seaside in southern Australia, states Fox News. They have evacuated onto beaches and into the water.
About 12 million acres have been burned, according to The New York Times. Nearly 1000 houses have been destroyed and 28 people have died says CNN. The high winds have caused the fires to spread more. A 28-year-old volunteer firefighter died when the winds pushed over his fire truck, that was weighing about 50,000 pounds. Not only is it climate change and wind, but at least 25 people are being charged with starting fires.
A wide estimate of about a billion animals have been impacted or killed by the fires. According to CNN, almost a third (30%) of koalas have died because of the fires.
Many people are donating to the animals who have lost their habitats, families, and/or are burned, says KMBC. Many crafters have made mittens, pouches, and blankets for the animals. These things could be used for kangaroos, koalas, and many others. You can help, as long as you have the materials, and you don't need a lot of money to obtain them. All you need is to devote your time to making simple things that can help a lot of these animals.
Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery are raising money to put towards recovery programs and emergency assistance for animals and humans. Donate here. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is working to save Australian wildlife and build land for future habitats. Donate here. These are just some of the many organizations. Any amount helps, you don't have to be wealthy. We all can help.
Many people have come forward to tell their stories. Click here to watch and listen to their stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQpSG4yQatg.
Australia is known for its hot and dry summers, but it's because of climate change that their summers are long and dry. According to CNN, December's heatwave broke the record for the hottest average temperature. Some cities even had a temperature of about 113-120 degrees Fahrenheit. South Wales is where the heat hit the hardest, causing the fires.
Many people have been trapped by fires at the seaside in southern Australia, states Fox News. They have evacuated onto beaches and into the water.
About 12 million acres have been burned, according to The New York Times. Nearly 1000 houses have been destroyed and 28 people have died says CNN. The high winds have caused the fires to spread more. A 28-year-old volunteer firefighter died when the winds pushed over his fire truck, that was weighing about 50,000 pounds. Not only is it climate change and wind, but at least 25 people are being charged with starting fires.
A wide estimate of about a billion animals have been impacted or killed by the fires. According to CNN, almost a third (30%) of koalas have died because of the fires.
Many people are donating to the animals who have lost their habitats, families, and/or are burned, says KMBC. Many crafters have made mittens, pouches, and blankets for the animals. These things could be used for kangaroos, koalas, and many others. You can help, as long as you have the materials, and you don't need a lot of money to obtain them. All you need is to devote your time to making simple things that can help a lot of these animals.
Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery are raising money to put towards recovery programs and emergency assistance for animals and humans. Donate here. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is working to save Australian wildlife and build land for future habitats. Donate here. These are just some of the many organizations. Any amount helps, you don't have to be wealthy. We all can help.
Many people have come forward to tell their stories. Click here to watch and listen to their stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQpSG4yQatg.
FACING THE FACTS
February 11, 2020
BY EMMA KRAUSE
Whether you believe that humans cause global warming or not, there are so many indications that we do. Global warming can and will affect everyone. It has the potential to ruin the Earth.
“It has become clear that humans have caused most of the past century's warming by releasing heat-trapping gases as we power our modern lives,” says Christina Nunez, a National Geographic writer.
Because of global warming, glaciers are melting which causes sea levels to rise, cloud forests are dying, and wildlife is declining.
There is something called “The Green House Effect” which is when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major problem of climate change because it has caused most of the global warming and it is expected to continue to cause problems.
“CO2 has contributed more than any driver to climate change between 1750 and 2011,” said a scientist from “The Union of Concerned Scientist.”
CO2 is dangerous because it remains in the air. It takes about 10 years for methane (CH4) emissions to leave the atmosphere; methane converts into carbon dioxide. After a pulse of CO2 is emitted into the air, 40% of it remains in the atmosphere for a century. 20% will reside for 1000 years and 10% of it will finally go away in 10,000 years.
Some people don’t believe in global warming because there have been claims such as “there is no real evidence.” However, there are hundreds of reliable sources saying otherwise. For example, National Geographic has proven countless facts showing that global warming is real, including some of the facts above. Stephen Leahy, a National Geographic writer, said, “Climate change is driving entire planet to dangerous 'tipping point‘.”
You can help save energy by biking or walking to school instead of having a parent drive you or taking the bus. You can turn off your computer/MacBook and turn off the lights. These little things can make a big difference.
Whether you believe that humans cause global warming or not, there are so many indications that we do. Global warming can and will affect everyone. It has the potential to ruin the Earth.
“It has become clear that humans have caused most of the past century's warming by releasing heat-trapping gases as we power our modern lives,” says Christina Nunez, a National Geographic writer.
Because of global warming, glaciers are melting which causes sea levels to rise, cloud forests are dying, and wildlife is declining.
There is something called “The Green House Effect” which is when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major problem of climate change because it has caused most of the global warming and it is expected to continue to cause problems.
“CO2 has contributed more than any driver to climate change between 1750 and 2011,” said a scientist from “The Union of Concerned Scientist.”
CO2 is dangerous because it remains in the air. It takes about 10 years for methane (CH4) emissions to leave the atmosphere; methane converts into carbon dioxide. After a pulse of CO2 is emitted into the air, 40% of it remains in the atmosphere for a century. 20% will reside for 1000 years and 10% of it will finally go away in 10,000 years.
Some people don’t believe in global warming because there have been claims such as “there is no real evidence.” However, there are hundreds of reliable sources saying otherwise. For example, National Geographic has proven countless facts showing that global warming is real, including some of the facts above. Stephen Leahy, a National Geographic writer, said, “Climate change is driving entire planet to dangerous 'tipping point‘.”
You can help save energy by biking or walking to school instead of having a parent drive you or taking the bus. You can turn off your computer/MacBook and turn off the lights. These little things can make a big difference.