Can YOU save the planet: a guide for teens passionate about climate change

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Can YOU save the planet?

What’s happening to our planet right now?

The planet is currently facing a wide range of environmental factors that have significant impacts on the health and well-being of all living creatures. The most commonly discussed challenge is climate change, but there are a large number of issues that are being neglected. Some of these include the loss of biodiversity, pollution, deforestation, and resource depletion. Most of these issues are caused by human life and the changes we have made to Earth.

Climate Change

Climate change is the shift of weather patterns and temperature caused by human activities. Biodiversity loss is the rapid decline of species and their habitats due to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Pollution, which is mostly caused by human waste, harms the air, water, and soil, affecting the planet and human health. Deforestation is the large-scale clearing of forests, which reduces biodiversity and negatively impacts the climate. Resource depletion occurs when humans use natural resources faster than the planet can replenish them, therefore putting a strain on all ecosystems. These issues require our attention and action to protect the planet for future generations.

Are You Directly Affected by Climate Change?

Not all people are equally impacted by climate change. The effects of climate change vary depending on several factors, including location, socio-economic status, and access to resources. Different regions face different degrees of climate change risks. For example, coastal areas are more susceptible to storms and sea-level rise, whereas dry regions may experience water scarcity and droughts.

Socio-economic status refers to the position of a person in society based on their income, education, occupation, and social connections. Socio-economic factors play a large role in determining the impact of climate change because people living in marginalized communities have fewer resources to fight the impacts of climate change. People in marginalized communities have less access to healthcare, infrastructure, and social services, meaning they do not have the resources to protect themselves from climate change risks.

The degree to which you are being affected by climate change is determined by each of these factors. The people who are contributing the most to climate change might be those who suffer the least from it.

What Can You Do to Help the Environment?

There are several actions you can take to help with environmental conservation and make a positive impact. Some are more challenging and require big changes, but the ones listed below are activities that can be done from the comfort of your home.

1. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Everyone has learned about the 3 R’s, but not everyone has been taught why it is so important. By reducing consumption, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials such as paper, plastic, and glass, you can minimize the amount of waste sent to landfills. By doing this, you are conserving resources that the planet is struggling to create. Resources are limited, and by continuing to use them as if they were unlimited, you are contributing to climate change and a decrease in human health.
2. Conserve Water: Take shorter showers, turn off the sink quickly, fix leaks promptly, and use water-efficient appliances, like dishwashers. Dishwashers actually use less water than hand-washing dishes, so whenever possible, it’s best to load up the dishwasher and let it do the cleaning for you. It is important to conserve the valuable resource of water because fresh water is limited, and we want future generations to have access to clean water. Also, the treatment and distribution of water require energy, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions. Water also plays a role in protecting natural ecosystems, but with less water, those ecosystems, along with all the animals that live inside, will suffer.
3. Eat Responsibly: Make informed choices about the food you eat. Livestock agriculture has a significant environmental footprint. By reducing meat consumption or adopting a plant-based diet, you could do your part to save the environment.
4. Conserve Energy: Nobody expects you to keep the lights off 24/7. That would be impractical and challenging. However, you can still reduce your energy consumption by using LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs use less energy to produce the same amount of light as regular light bulbs and last 25 times longer, meaning less frequent replacements, and less waste. Light bulbs create light by emitting greenhouse gases that negatively affect climate change, but LED bulbs produce fewer greenhouse gases. However, when you are done using the lights, it is still important to turn them off.
5. Educate and Inspire Others: Share your knowledge and enthusiasm for environmental conservation with friends and family. Encourage others to adopt sustainable practices and make more environmentally friendly choices.

Can You Volunteer to Help with Environmental Conservation?

Volunteering is a fantastic way to help with environmental conservation. There are dozens of volunteer projects happening in every community to help fight climate change, and they are always happy to have volunteers join their efforts to save the environment. Listed below are some examples of volunteer projects that you can join in any community.

1. Local Conservation Organizations: You can research local environmental organizations or non-profits in your area that focus on conservation. They often have volunteer programs for students that include tree planting, habitat restoration, beach cleanups, and wildlife monitoring.
2. Environmental Education Programs: As a teenager, you can volunteer with organizations that offer environmental education programs for children or the community. You can assist in teaching about environmental topics, leading nature walks, or organizing workshops on recycling, sustainability, or conservation.
3. Wildlife Conservation: To help reverse the loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction, you can volunteer at local wildlife rehabilitation centers or animal sanctuaries. These institutions are open to students. You can help with caring for injured or orphaned wildlife, cleaning enclosures, or assisting with educational programs focused on wildlife conservation.
4. Community Gardens: Anyone can get involved at community gardens or urban farming projects. Community gardens allow volunteers to help with planting and maintaining the garden while also learning valuable information about sustainable food production practices.
5. Citizen Science Projects: Citizen science projects can be done from anywhere because many of the programs are done virtually. You can get involved with science initiatives that involve data collection for environmental research. Students are encouraged to help with monitoring bird populations, tracking butterfly migrations, and documenting plant species.

Why Should You Help with Environmental Conservation?

The biggest issue with environmental issues is the disparity between those who create the largest planetary impacts and those who bear the brunt of the resulting effects. The disparity can be seen in several ways.

Carbon Footprint: High-income countries and wealthy individuals tend to have a larger carbon footprint due to higher levels of consumption, energy use, and industrial activities. Each of these has high levels of carbon emissions, which contribute greatly to global climate change. However, it is often the most vulnerable communities in developing countries that suffer the most from climate change, such as food insecurity and extreme weather.

Resource Extraction: Industries in developed countries rely on natural resources from developing countries to power and run their companies. This leads to environmental degradation, deforestation, and displacement of local communities in developing countries, whereas the industries in developed countries remain unharmed.

Waste Disposal: Developed countries create a significant amount of waste. Much of this waste is then exported to developing countries for disposal. When developed countries dump their trash in developing countries, it causes pollution, health risks, and environmental damage in those regions.

Environmental Justice: Communities that are marginalized or located near industrial sites often face the greatest environmental injustices. These communities, which are often low-income or house minority populations, experience higher levels of pollution, health problems, and lower quality of life.

Even if you are not being directly affected by climate change, many people are suffering from the waste you create, the energy you use, and the carbon footprint you leave behind. Our world needs you to help the environment and save the people who live inside it. Volunteering to save the planet is a great way to bring justice to our environment and marginalized communities everywhere.