A Fairer World :: Youth

Climate Change

Make A Difference - Links - Did You Know?
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"The average temperature of the earth's surface has risen by 0.6 degrees C since the late 1800s. It is expected to increase by another 1.4 to 5.8 degrees C by the year 2100 - a rapid and profound change... The principal reason for the mounting thermometer is ... the burning of ever-greater quantities of oil, gasoline, and coal, the cutting of forests, and the practice of certain farming methods."

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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New Town Primary School: students created this rap to show how they feel about global warming.

Green Facts: “How much and how fast temperatures will continue to rise remains uncertain, and the exact impacts of climate change over the 21st century, especially for local regions, remain largely unknown...
However, global warming poses real risks. Because the exact nature and amplitude of these risks remains uncertain, we have to use our best judgment - guided by the current state of science - to determine what the most appropriate response should be.”

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: “Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty - the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. Recently, a number of nations have approved an addition to the treaty: the Kyoto Protocol, which has more powerful (and legally binding) measures.”

The David Suzuki Foundation: “The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Solutions include phasing out coal plants, expanding renewable energy sources and public transit, and creating new efficiency standards for vehicles and buildings. Find out what you can do to help make a difference!”

Australian Government Department of Climate Change: “Globally, governments are pursuing a huge range of climate change activities, independently and cooperatively. The key international agreement is the Kyoto Protocol, ratified by 185 countries including Australia.”

Climate Action Network: “Climate change could have the following impacts on Australia:

  • More intense storms and tropical cyclones
  • Water resources will be further stressed with a greater likelihood of droughts
  • The Great Barrier Reef at risk due to rising sea temperatures
  • Rising sea levels threatening Kakadu National Park and parts of the east coastline

...There are more jobs in building and operating the solutions to climate change than there are in the industries and operations that are causing it... Renewable fuels for energy and transport can provide the same services as traditional fossil-fuelled power, but do not create dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.”

Oxfam Australia: “Storms, floods, droughts and wildfires are occurring more frequently. Sea levels are rising. And closer to home we’re faced with water restrictions, greater droughts and more extreme fire days. All because of climate change.
Climate change is affecting everyone but it is affecting poor people in developing countries the most.”

World Wildlife Fund (Australia): “Australians are the highest per-capita greenhouse gas polluters in the developed world. This is due to the fact that we generate electricity largely by burning high-emission coal and we use energy inefficiently.
Australia's total emissions are similar in magnitude to those of the United Kingdom and France, yet those countries have much larger populations.”

World Wildlife Fund (Australia): “WWF is calling on Australians to take action to prevent dangerous climate change and its impacts and protect our threatened plants and animals. Actions include switching to green power, becoming more energy efficient and walking, cycling or catching public transport instead of driving.”

United Nations Environment Programme: “’Climate change is the greatest threat we are facing in the 21st century, and many countries are vulnerable. If we the children and youth don't act now, we cannot be sure there will be a future for us, for future generations. We want to make sure that future generations will inherit a better place to live in.’Tunza Youth Advisory Board member, 22-year old Jessie James Marcellones from the Philippines, said.”

Nova: Science in the News: “The 20th century saw the greatest increase in temperature of any century during the last thousand years, and the last decade was the warmest since records began. As the temperature rises, so does the sea level – with profound consequences for us all.”

Greenpeace International: “With the world on the brink of runaway climate change, millions are anxious about the effects that a warmer globe will have on our everyday lives. Wanting to learn, act and agitate is a perfectly valid response.”

Australian Conservation Foundation: “Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate change – environmentally and economically. We already live on the driest inhabited continent on earth. Climate change is making most of Australia drier. We are already experiencing more severe droughts in the bush, and water shortages in our cities.”

Christian Aid: “Scientists predict that at the current rate of carbon emissions tens of millions more people will go hungry in the next couple of decades as agricultural yields diminish across the globe.”

Climate Change for Kids: “More sea and less land is fine for penguins and for fish, but it's no good at all for people and other animals that live on the land. Some of the best land for growing food is also the most low-lying.”

Climate Change in Australia: “Australian average temperatures have increased 0.9°C since 1950, with significant regional variations. The frequency of hot days and nights has increased and the frequency of cold days and nights has declined.”

Did You Know?

  • Estimates are that by 2030 Australia will face:
    • a further 1°C of warming in temperatures
    • up to 20 per cent more months of drought
    • up to 25 per cent increase in days of very high or extreme fire danger
    • increases in storm surges and severe weather events.
    • www
  • Scientists predict for Tasmania:
    • annual rainfall will decrease further in the north-east and increase in the west, with more of the rainfall occurring in winter and spring.
    • annual maximum temperatures will increase across the state.
    • annual potential evaporation will increase in all area except the West Coast.
    • wind speeds will increase, particularly in winter.
    • sea levels will rise between 20 and 60cm by 2095.
    • www

These sites have ideas on how to make a difference.

Nick Towle: is a Tasmanian who rode from Sydney to Hobart as part of Cycle for Sustainability

Climate Action Tasmania: You can join up and be empowered to adopt sustainable living practices.

Join the Australian Youth Climate Coalition

Teacher resources