Global Climate Change

Think Globally, Act Locally

Author: Emilia Carlson, Chelsea Manzano, Ellie
Morrison & Mindy Tran

Global Climate Change

Page 2: Abstract and

Introduction
Page 3: Background and
Problem
Page 4: Solution
Page 5: Graphics
Page 6: Case Studies and
Conclusions
Page 7: Works Cited and Roles

Abstract

Image courtesy of industrytap.com

Global climate change is upon us. Every day, humans are destroying the Earth and the
atmosphere by emitting carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases. If humans dont change their
current ways, the effects will be highly dangerous. Through reforestation and alternative
energy forms, humans can take a stand against the major problem. After exploring the causes
and impacts of global climate change and observing case studies, we believe it is possible to
bring these ideas into the everyday lives of humans. Together we can change the planets
future.

Introduction
Human activities are rapidly speeding up global climate change. 36 football fields of trees are
lost every minute, and at the current rate, all the worlds forests could diminish in 100 years.
Deforestation is a major cause of global warming because trees absorb carbon dioxide so when
they are cut down, the carbon is released into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. Also, in the
United States, electric power plants use 900 million short tons of coal to produce 40 percent of
Americas electricity each year. There are, however, ways to stop this increasing problem. Of
these solutions include reforestation and the use of alternative energy. By donating to One Tree
Planted, a reforestation company, and to the Illinois Solar Energy Association, we can work
together to stop the issue of global warming.

Global Climate Change

Background
Global climate change, also known as global warming, is the recent and ongoing rise in
global average temperature near Earth's surface. Due to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,
the average temperature of the planet is increasing

Global warming is not a

conqueror to kneel before but a challenge to rise to. A
challenge we must rise to.
~Joe Lieberman

quickly. Since 1880, Earths temperature has increased

1.4F, much of this rise having occurred in the past 15
years. Global climate change is impacting the Earth
dramatically. If it continues, glaciers will melt, sea
levels will rise, surface temperatures will warm, floods

and droughts will increase, extreme weather will occur and climates will be disrupted. These
effects will worsen and the ecosystems on our Earth will change even more.
Global climate change is a difficult problem to address. From the costly fees, to the
many aspects affecting global climate change, its hard to tackle. Also, many people are
unaware or ignorant of the issue, so its important to educate humans on global warming. Two
of the biggest problems are energy consumption and deforestation. Our current energy forms
are very inefficient and dirty. Solar panels are a renewable and clean source of energy. Products
from trees are used commonly in everyday life; however the trees cut down are rarely
replanted. Trees absorb CO2 and are essential to our atmosphere and environment. By 2050,
solar panels could end United States dependence on foreign oil and slash greenhouse gas
emissions if instated nationally. Also, since 70% of the worlds documented species are found
in tropical rainforests, we cant afford to cut down trees at the current rate.

The

Problem
Global
already having

warming is
significant and harmful effects on our

In the graph above, data is displayed showing that carbon dioxide levels have never been higher.
increase since 1950 is very noticeable and dangerous.
(Graph courtesy of NASA)

The

Global Climate Change

communities, our health, and our climate. We must take immediate action to address global
warming or these consequences will continue to intensify, grow ever more costly, and
increasingly affect the entire planet. Fortunately, we have practical and important solutions to
dramatically reduce our carbon emissions, slow the pace of global warming, and pass on a
healthier, safer world to future generations.

The Solution
The overall objective of our solution is to put an end to global climate change. It wont happen
overnight, but everyone can take steps to help. We believe that reforestation and solar energy
will be highly beneficial in solving this problem. For reforestation, we will be fundraising
money to donate to One Tree Planted. This unique company plants one tree for every dollar
donated. When making a donation, there is a choice for whether the donor would like 1 tree,
12 trees, 40 trees, or 100 trees planted. For our solar energy solution, we believe that an
alternative form of energy would help lower carbon dioxide emissions, specifically, solar
energy. A statewide company, the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA), uses the funding to
provide education about solar energy and advocate for strong clean energy policies in Illinois.
We have decided to fundraise for this company as well. Both One Tree Planted and the ISEA
are non-profit organizations that are dedicated to their work. However, a few steps would need
to be taken in order to implement our solutions. In the table below, the steps for reforestation
and solar energy are displayed. Additionally, statements from the company are shown on the
following page.

Reforestation: One Tree Planted

Inform the public

Organize fundraisers/Send out emails
Donate to One Tree Planted

Solar Energy: ISEA

Inform the public

Organize fundraisers/Send out emails
Donate to the Illinois Solar Energy
Association

There is little to no cost for our solution. We will be sending out electronic flyers and emails to
tell the public about our fundraising. Within the emails, there will be links to the One Tree
Planted and ISEA websites. Global climate change is too big of a problem to conquer alone. But
with the help of environmentally aware foundations, such as One Tree Planted and the ISEA,
anyone can help fix the issue of global climate change.

Global Climate Change

Solar Energy: ISEA

Our mission is to educate and
advocate for the widespread
application of solar, wind and
other forms of renewable energy
technologies to the people of
Illinois.
-Illinois Solar Energy Association

Reforestation: One Tree Planted

Trees are interconnected to our ecosystem and they
clean the air we breathe, the water we drink, they are
the habitat to over 80% of the worlds species, they
provide the medicines we take, the provide food, they
provide livelihood to over 1 billion people on this
planet and they help sequester carbon.
-One Tree Planted

Case Studies

Global Climate Change

In some areas, our solutions have already been put into action. Brazil has reduced
deforestation in the Amazon over the past five years to lower heat trapping
emissions. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Global Forest
Watch Canada (GFWC) are groups that have already been
formed to prevent deforestation. Also, California has
required its largest utilities to get 20% of their
electricity from renewable sources by 2017.
New York has pledged to compel power
companies to provide 25% of the state's
electricity from renewable sources.

Conclusion
We need to stop global climate
change before its negative
consequences get too far out of hand.
Humans have caused this acceleration
and need to stop it. In order to do this,
we will donate to One Tree Planted, in
order to promote reforestation. Additionally,
we will donate to a large corporation that builds
solar panels in Illinois. Dirty energy sources are
and will continue to ruin our Earth. Deforestation
increases the amount of greenhouse gases and takes the
homes of many animals. We need to take a stand and fix this problem
before it is too late. The possibilities are endless if we take steps to restore our planet.
.

Earth image courtesy of Wikimedia.org

Global Climate Change

Works Cited

"Alternative Energy." - Wind, Solar, Hydro and Other Alt Energy Sources for Home Power. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
"Case Study of Brazil." Deforestation. N.p., 5 Nov. 2009. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
"Deforestation." WWF -. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Deforestation Facts, Deforestation Information, Effects of Deforestation - National

Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Global Warming." Facts, Causes and Effects of Climate Change. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Planting." Deforestation of Tropical Rainforests. N.p., 7 July 2007. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Solar Energy." SEIA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Solar Power Energy Information, Solar Power Energy Facts - National Geographic." National
Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

"Trees Improve Our Air Quality." Trees Improve Our Air Quality. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

Zweibel, Ken, James Mason, and Vasilis Fthenakis. "A Solar Grand Plan."Scientific American

Global Climate Change

298.1 (2008): 64-73. Web.