Hello readers and budding environmentalists! Welcome to my blog. Today, I would like to take you on a journey to explore the mysteries of our incredible planet and discover the importance of preserving it. Our adventure will take us to the heart of an important topic known as “climate change”.
Imagine, a magical place filled with lush green forests, sparkling rivers, expansive oceans and majestic mountains. This enchanted land is what we call home – Earth! But, guess what, our beautiful world is facing a great challenge and it is time for us to come together to protect and preserve it for our future generations.
We will explore what climate change is, look at its impacts on nature, propose some simple solutions to do every day and delve into the tools we can use to combat climate change. Are you ready? Let’s go!
What is Climate Change?
Now, let us get to the bottom of this mystery called climate change. Just as Earth has seasons, it also has a long-term weather pattern called climate. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, Climate is defined as “the average weather conditions for a particular location over a long period of time, ranging from months to thousands or millions of years.” Climate change occurs when this pattern shifts over a prolonged period, leading to fluctuations in temperature, rainfall and other weather conditions. This transformation is mainly caused by human activities, such as burning fossils fuels (coal, gas and oil) and deforestation.
The burning of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane. When we fly in a plane or drive in a car, carbon dioxide is produced by the types fuel used in these modes of transport. Deforestation (the cutting down of trees in forests) also produces carbon dioxide. The main sectors that are responsible for releasing methane into the atmosphere, are the agriculture, oil and gas industries.
What are the Impacts on Nature?
In exploring the effects of climate change on nature, we need to look at its effects on humans, animals, birds and fishes who call Earth home. The changes range from hotter temperatures, severe storms to increased droughts. Increased droughts occur due to the scarcity of water in some regions. Over the years, the number of regions affected by water scarcity is on the rise. Droughts generate sand storms that can be deadly and damaging for humans, farmlands, birds and animals. Droughts can also lead to the migration of humans, animals and birds in the search of water for survival. 
Severe storms come about as a result of the changes in rainfall patterns. These changes in rainfall patterns could result in too much rain, thus causing floods. Another phenomenon that occurs with too much rainfall is landslides. Landslides and flooding can cause a lot of damage and loss of life. Hotter temperatures lead to heatwaves and extreme heat which badly affects the well-being of humans, animals and birds. Extreme heat also causes wildfires which are becoming a common sight especially during the warmer months. Polar bears lose their icy homes due to polar ice melting, sea turtles struggle to nest on warmer beaches and many more creatures face challenges. This can be compared to a giant puzzle where the pieces do not seem to fit together as they should. 
Adaptation and Mitigation – Our Toolkits
In an effort to preserve the environment, we discover the tools to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change. Adaptation is the process of adjusting to the changes in the climate that are already taking place, such as planting drought-resistant plants.
Mitigation involves preventing future problems from occurring by reducing our carbon footprint. Our carbon footprint relates to the amount of greenhouse gases we release into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the burning of fossil fuels. These emissions act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.
The main greenhouse gases that cause climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building, for example. Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide. Agriculture, oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions. Sectors, such as the energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main sectors generating greenhouse gases.
Call to Action
Do not despair, there is hope! We can all work together, to make a difference, as the guardians of our planet. Taking small steps today can have a big impact tomorrow. Simple gestures like walking, cycling or taking public transport, turning off the lights when not needed, planting trees and recycling and, more importantly, telling family, friends or neighbours to take action, are just a few examples of how we can preserve planet Earth.
Our Journey Continues
Dear Readers and budding environmentalists, our adventure to shed some light on climate change is just beginning. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our planet, Earth, remains a vibrant and healthy home for generations to come. So, come, let us continue this great adventure, hand-in-hand, protecting the wonders of our planet and creating a brighter future for all!
Judith A. Ewa is the debut children’s author of “Bibi Saves the Honey Bees”. This is the first book in the Preserve the Planet picture book series. She is committed, through her storytelling, to bring awareness to children about the importance of preserving the environment. She offers simple solutions in each book aimed at making a big difference tomorrow.
