Transcript See One of Our Early Presentations

Little People Big Changes
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We learn and share information about issues
affecting the world…and
We take action to try to make the world a
better place.
We founded Little People, Big Changes
along with our moms; over fifty kids in
Wilton and beyond join us to help in our
campaigns.
What is Global Warming?
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The earth’s atmosphere is like a blanket that
keeps the world warm.
Too much CO2 (carbon dioxide) makes the
blanket thicker and traps the sun’s heat.
CO2 comes from burning fossil fuels like oil,
coal, and gasoline to run cars, factories and
heat homes, schools and offices.
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We Have To Act Now!
If people don't change how we use energy, within
50 years many of the effects of climate change will
have happened!
Since it is kids who will be most affected, it is we
who can make the biggest difference.
We have to do something! We can't just sit on our
butts!
Will this stop global warming?
We’ve Made Some Changes…
We already know about global warming…
 We’ve changed our light bulbs…
 We drive less…
 We re-use grocery bags…
 We recycle glass and plastic…
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Well that’s a great start but it’s not enough!!
…We Need to Do More!
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Back in 2001, New England governors
promised to reduce carbon emissions, but we
haven’t yet met that goal.¹
Global warming emissions in New England
actually increased by 10.9% between 1990 to
2005.²
Transportation is responsible for the biggest
increase emissions since 2001 -- people are
driving more in bigger cars, such as SUVs.
Carbon Levels are Increasing
Carbon released into the atmosphere
from burning fossil fuel increased from
7 billion tons in 2000 to 8.4 billion tons
in 2006.³
 This was almost exactly the number
that was their “worst case” projection
for that year.
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Not Enough People Think Climate
Change Is Important…
In his talk at the Wilton Library, Jay
Inslee (a Congressman from Washington
State) said that out of 2,800 questions
asked to presidential candidates in 2007–
only three were about climate change –
the same number of questions as there
were about UFOs.
Climate Change is Happening Now!
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Arctic sea ice is melting faster than originally
expected, and sea levels are rising faster than
predicted.
Do you know how on a hot day a white T shirt
keeps you cool and a black T shirt makes you
hot? That’s because white reflects light, while
black absorbs it.
White ice reflect the sun’s rays back into space,
but darker water absorbs more of the sun’s
heat, so the problem just gets even worse as ice
melts.
Climate Change is Happening
Now!
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2007 was a record year for Arctic melting.
As a result of ice melting, 6,000 walruses
came on shore in Alaska in October 2007,
the first time in history.
A NASA climate scientist said, “At this rate,
the Arctic Ocean could be nearly ice free by
2012, much faster than previous
predictions.”6
Climate Change is Happening Now!
Maple sugaring season – when farmers
tap their maple trees for sap and boil it
into syrup and candy – is getting earlier.
 This year, maple tapping weekend is
March 29-30.
 It has moved up one week in the last 30
years.
 By 2080, experts think it will move up to
the end of January.
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Climate Change is Happening Now!
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Earlier springs, earlier snow-melts and
drought contributed to more and longer
burning forest fires.
In 2003, about 5 million acres burned in the
U.S.; in 2006, almost 10 million acres
burned.
Since wildfires also release carbon dioxide,
this makes the problem even worse.
What More Can We Do?
Remember that every single thing you
do and buy takes energy; think what
you can do to reduce, reuse, and
recycle to save energy.
 Talk to your neighbors, your friends,
and everyone you know about ways that
they can reduce their carbon emissions.
 Some of our ideas include…
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Don’t Idle Your Car
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When you idle your car for ten seconds or more,
it uses more gas than it takes to turn your car off
and then on again.
Tell everyone you know...
If you’re stopped for more than ten,
turn it off and on again!
Sign up for Clean Energy
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You don’t have to have a windmill by your house to
use wind energy!
Anyone who is a CL&P or UI customer can choose
to have their electricity from clean energy just by
signing up for the Connecticut Clean Energy
Option.
Once you sign up, your electricity supplier will
purchase the energy for your home from wind or
low impact hydro, which essentially wipes out your
electric bill’s carbon footprint!
Clean Energy Sources
Traditional Fossil Fuels
Wilton Wins if You Sign Up For
Clean Energy…
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For every 100 sign-ups, the Town of Wilton
will qualify for a free solar panel system
(worth $20,000) to go on a public building
(like a school, town hall, or firehouse).
Signing up only takes a few seconds! Go to
our website at
www.littlepeoplebigchanges.org
Eat Natural, Locally Grown Foods
The “carbon footprint” of food includes
the energy required to manufacture,
package and transport it. On average, food
travels 1500 miles before arriving at your
table.9
 BONUS! Eating locally grown, whole
foods is healthier for your body and
encourages organic farming practices
which is better for the land and more
“sustainable”.
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Thank you!
Our Sources
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New England Climate Coalition, 2008
Report: “Falling Behind: New England Must Act Now to Reduce Global
Warming Pollution” by Environment Connecticut and Clean Water
Action.
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, October
2007.
Alan Robock, Center for Environmental Prediction at Rutgers University,
2007
Associated Press/Federal Marine Mammal Commission, October 2007
Jay Zwally , NASA, December 2007
Cornell University Chronicle March 2008
National Interagency Fire Center
Omnivore’s Dilemma