Climate change?

     Recently in New York, the UN along with some other dignitaries and heads of state, met to begin discussions on a global deal to be completed in 2015, in Paris. The meeting created an onslaught of people marching for climate change initiatives to help the earth, but there were also those going against the meeting.

     According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change who will meet again in
Copenhagen, Denmark next week, there are several key predictions that will occur in years to come, towards the end of the century.
     They predict with almost "100 percent probability" that there will be 1.) "Warmer and/or fewer cold days and nights over most land masses."and 2.)" Warmer and/or more frequent hot days and nights over most land masses."
     They also predict, in "90-100 percent very likely" 1.) "Warm spells/heat waves-frequency and/or duration increase over land masses, 2."Heavy Precipitation events..." and 3.) "Increased incidence and/or magnitude of extreme high sea level."

     Living an hour away from the coast, climate change to us in Houston means that the rise in sea-levels will progress faster than it is happening now. We will also have longer heat spells and more, heavy rain spells.

     However, the longer hot days also bring with it the high possibility of drought and dry spells in our state, as well as other areas of the country and the world.
 
     I can only surmise that this type of weather will also occur in Extremadura, without fear of sea-level rise. That is not to say it won't adversely affect them in one way or another.

     
Whatever side of the debate of climate change you are in,  here are some facts that are known to be true:
   1. Humans are putting way too much carbon emissions that pollute the clean air for healthy living.
   2. We are also producing too much waste that landfills can not support it.

 Even with all the government intervention and laws, it is up to all of us to do our part to

regulate greenhouse gases by limiting harmful pollutants in the air.

So what can we do, besides staying informed to reduce our carbon footprint?

Aside from being energy efficient, we can begin to help the environment with doing a few simple things.

1. Produce less garbage: Did you know that all the garbage in landfills produce methane, which is a very harmful greenhouse gas? Let's keep items such as paper, plastic, metal and glass in recycling centers and out of landfills. Carry your families groceries in your own bags to limit the use of plastic ones.
Compost more of your meals to keep out of landfills or take your organic waste to someone who has a garden or our school's garden.

2.  Eat more plant based foods: About 18% of emissions come from diary and meat production."Meatless Monday": All of us could have one day to eat meatless meals to stop less emissions being produced. Alternatively, eat one meatless meal a day.  Grow your own or buy locally. Eat more organic meals and less processed foods.

     And speaking of plants, start a garden or help someone start a garden. Continue to plant more trees.

If we live simply, we create less things that we need to throw away. We will be taking care of ourselves and taking care of the earth at the same time.

Raquel Aguilar