Transcript Climate change - Rutgers University

Created by Deja Amos, MSW Intern
Center For International Social Work
CLIMATE CHANGE
What can we do to help?
Introduction
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Test your
knowledge
of climate
change
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The Greenhouse Effect is the warming of the
Earth’s surface due to an increase in trapped
energy in the atmosphere.
Climate is the long-term average of a region's
weather events put together. Climate change
is the term used when an area’s long term
weather patterns are altered.
Global warming is the increase in the Earth’s
temperature causing changes in the climate.
While global warming is a natural occurrence,
recent human activity is speeding up the
process.
What is happening to our world as a
result of climate change?
Glaciers around the world are shrinking decreasing the amount of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. Home to almost four
million people, this effects their livelihoods and the biodiversity of the ecosystem.
Worldwide, average sea level is predicted to rise by approximately 2 feet
eliminating 10, 000 square miles within the United States alone.
What is happening to our world as a
result of climate change? (cont.)
As ocean temperatures increase, hurricanes will continue to
become more intense and impact humans
Because of temperature increases, migratory birds are spending longer periods
of time about 35 miles more North than usual altering the functioning of
ecosystems
…Why should this matter to you?
Climate change is a human issue that hits
already vulnerable populations the hardest and
you are human
Climate change creates vulnerable populations
Poverty has become an increasing epidemic over the last decade and 189
countries have committed themselves to poverty reduction in the Millennium
Declaration but climate change is a threat to that aim. It reduces drinking water,
threatens food security and risks people’s health.
Climate change creates displaced peoples
20.5 million people have been affected by floods in Northern Pakistan this year
alone
Climate change creates hungry people
West Africa is experiencing a severe food crisis because of irregular rains in 2009
leading to a acute lack of grazing land, water and harvest. Ko Kaina villagers in
Niger eat bitter Anza berries when there is nothing left to eat.
Climate creates situations where people need help
Flood-affected villagers collect food packets dropped from an IAF helicopter in
Patharpatima Island, south of Kolkata, India after Cyclone Aila.
Climate change is a real
phenomenon that should matter to
you…
…What can you do?
Conserve
electricity:
Every time you
do any of these
activities you are
using electricity
which leads to an
increase of
greenhouse
gases released in
the atmosphere
because of
power plants.
Unplug
appliances when
they are not in
use
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Watching TV
Using the Air Conditioner
Turning on a Light
Using a Hair Dryer
Riding in a Car
Playing a Video Game
Listening to a Stereo
Washing or Drying Clothes
Using a Dish Washer
Microwaving a Meal
…What can you do? (cont.)
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Bike, Bus, and Walk
Talk to friends and family
Buy energy saving products whenever possible
(lightbulbs, stereos, etc.)
Remember the greenhouse effect when you’re
buying a car
And you can…
Reduce, reuse, recycle and help others
learn how too!!
Habits are hard to break. If we can instill earth friendly habits into our children at a young
age, we can create a generation that is naturally “greener"
Ways to Reduce and Reuse
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Use reusable lunch boxes, grocery bags and plastic containers
Only take a bag when you need one when making a purchase
Use cloth bags for gifts rather than wrapping paper that can end up in
landfills
Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones that get thrown away
Instead of paper towels use cloths and sponges
Look for items with little or no packaging
Use rechargeable batteries
Go to the library rather than purchase books, newspapers or magazines
Avoid the use of plastic or paper dishes and utensils
Buy juice and detergent in concentrate when possible
Avoid single serve packaging food items
Fun Recycling Songs
Recycling For Our Earth
(Sung to: "Mary Had a Little Lamb")
Hear the cans go crunch, crunch, crunch,
Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch,
crunch,
Hear the cans go crunch, crunch, crunch,
Recycle for our earth.
Hear the bottle go ding, ding, ding
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding,
Hear the bottle go ding, ding, ding
Recycle for our earth.
Hear the paper go crinkle, crinkle, crinkle
crinkle, crinkle, crinkle, crinkle, crinkle,
crinkle
Hear the paper go crinkle, crinkle, crinkle
Recycle for our earth
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I'm A Piece of Litter
(Sung To: "I'm A Little Teapot")
I'm a piece of litter,
Pick me up,
Put me in the garbage,
Or recycle me,
When you do this,
You'll make the earth,
Much more beautiful,
For you and me,
See the pond all grimy,
Help clean up,
You'll see more happy faces,
Where ever you go,
You'll make the earth more beautiful than
ever before,
You'll be able to hear it say "Thank you!"
Websites and Publications
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http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warmingbasics/kidspage.cfm
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
http://www.oxfam.org/en/campaigns/climatechange/s
uffering-the-science-case-studies
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/60/27/2502872.pdf
http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/migration_a
nd_environment.pdf