Climate Change. The Essentials
What is global warming and what can you do to advocate for climate change?
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Did you know that 90% of adolescents in Armenia’s regions are interested in learning more about climate change? Children, adolescents and young people living in villages are showing more and more interest in this topic. Interestingly, according to our most recent research, they also say that they want to learn more about climate change from their schoolteachers.
Below we have collected answers and insights from UNICEF experts and young people questions about the essentials of climate change.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to variations in global temperatures and weather patterns that occur over time.
Variability in climate happens naturally, but today’s climate change comes from global warming that is primarily caused by human activities that are altering the composition of the atmosphere.
Global warming is the increase in temperatures recorded over many years.
Burning fossil fuels for energy and clearing lands for farming produces CO2 emissions, a type of greenhouse gas.
Marine and land ecosystems can store this gas, but when more CO2 is being released than stored, it leads to rising temperatures over time.
Experts foresee that climate of Armenia can be warmed up to 4.7 Celsius in this century.
How does climate change impact us?
Climate change is making a negative impact on societies, economies, and ecosystems.
It can lead to
- extreme weather events,
- biodiversity loss,
- increased health risks, and
- the displacement of people.
Climate change impacts can be tackled with mitigation and adaptation measures.
Mitigation refers to actions that reduce greenhouse gases, like switching to renewable energy such as solar and burning fewer fossil fuels.
Adaptation are actions that manage the risks of climate change impacts, like building resilient infrastructure.
Each of us can significantly reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill – learn about what can be recycled in Armenia and how to do it.
Tackling climate change is everyone’s responsibility
Mitigation and adaptation actions can be adopted at national, international level, and on an individual level. This can include using public transportation or reducing your consumption habits. But these actions cannot prevent all climate risks, which is why commitments and regulations from governments are necessary.
Here are daily activities, that will help you to live green and tackle the climate change.
Why is the participation of youth important in the process of climate management?
Young people play an important role in advocacy for climate action.
You will experience the effects of climate change and you have every right to participate in making decisions concerning your future.
Read how Alla and Ani did it in their communities
How can YOU advocate for climate change in your community?
If there are no participation processes by the local government, try to inquire and support the creation of these opportunities for young people with your head of community or governor’s office. Try to find out which environmental organizations work in your community or marz and see how you can join them. Follow environmental organizations pages or groups on Facebook and start an online conversation around what can be done in your community or at your school. Lastly, find out if your school administration has set up a Disaster Risk Mitigation team and see how you can contribute to its work with your friends.
Here is what else you can do:
- Learn more about climate change and how to live a life that is eco-friendly. Here’s one source
- Share only verified information about climate change online with your friends and followers
- Join climate-related groups and movements
- Demand that your school becomes more environmentally friendly.
- Connect with other climate activists online. Here’s Narek’s story.
