This Earth Day, take a tour of our planet with this extensive documentary that explores the impact of human existence on the Earth and what can be done to avoid ecological disaster. With footage shot around the world, Earth Day entertains and educates viewers about the latest global warming and climate change efforts to restore our Earth.
music Franklin D
Roosevelt said A nation that destroys its soils, destroys itself
Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people
Why is it important to take care of the earth? The most obvious reason is that the earth is our home
It provides shelter, food, oxygen, water and other items essential to health, quality of life and survival for humans, plants and animals alike
It is incredible that the earth is able to provide for all of our needs and yet we take its resources, beauty and life for granted
In this documentary we will discover the natural beauty and wonder of the earth
Take a look at how global climate change is forever altering the world we live in and then delve into ways we can take action to combat these changes
We take so much from the earth every day
We use the earth endlessly and need to give it a chance to rest
We are constantly using the earth's resources, from the wood we get from the forest to the water in the lakes we drink
We chop down her forests to make room for houses and shopping centers and poison her air with our smog and chemicals produced from consumption
Shouldn't we be a little more concerned with how we are treating the earth? Every action we take affects the web of life
Life on earth is a large chain of reactions all connected to one another, from the plants in the soil and the animals that soar in the sky, swim in the ocean and wander in the forest to the air that we breathe
Everything in the world affects one another and is crucial to our everyday lives
We are all interconnected and everything we do affects the earth
The earth provides many services that benefit the humans, plants and animals that live on her planet
Forests remove carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air
Earth's wetlands store stormwater as well as filter the water to get rid of pollutants, making water safer to drink
Wetlands also help recharge our aquifers, where most of the planet gets their drinking water with these filtered waters
The dune systems on earth's many beaches form natural barriers to protect against the water's currents and storms and provide important habitats for wildlife
The prairies help control erosion and help anchor the soil into the ground to prevent runoff and rainwater from flowing into other water bodies
Runoff gets into larger water bodies and affects the drinking water
Prairies also provide carbon sequestration, which aids in storing carbon or carbon dioxide underneath the ground and in the soil
This helps reduce humans' environmental impact
Our lovely earth provides so many amazing services to keep her inhabitants safe, healthy and secure that we often take for granted
Why don't we take better care of the place where we live? The earth is a place where animals, humans and plants can coexist and live together
It really is just a large home for animals to live in
The earth has many different ways of living
It has a great environment where we can enjoy the life we live
The earth is a place where animals, humans and plants can coexist and live together
It really is just a large home for animals, humans and plants to live in
and plants can coexist and live together
It really is just a large home for everyone
You wouldn't leave garbage around your house or destroy your bedroom without planning to rebuild it
So why should people treat the earth that way, especially when other animals and plants live on it too? If we live by the golden rule, treat others the way you would like to be treated, shouldn't that apply to the earth as well as humans? The answer is of course
We should not want to dirty the earth because then our home would be dirty
Another reason why taking care of the earth is important is health
A clean environment is essential for healthy living for humans, plants and animals
Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases and cancer due to the inhalation of all the harmful chemicals and smog from factories
Water pollution can lead to typhoid, diarrheal diseases and other water borne and water related diseases due to the intake of bacteria and parasites
In many parts of the world, sources of drinking water are polluted
This is a major cause of diseases and death around the world
The mining of natural resources such as coal has led to increased risk of cancer, birth defects in unborn children, respiratory tract illnesses and many other health concerns
We can mitigate these risks by deciding to take care of the earth
How can we do that? We can help combat air pollution by driving less and biking, walking, carpooling or taking public transit more often
Choose a more fuel efficient car
Recycle
Set the thermostat to a lower temperature and compost food scraps instead of placing them in the garbage
Water pollution can be improved by reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides on lawns and gardens
Use environmentally friendly cleaning products and don't throw trash in the rivers, lakes or other bodies of water
Notice what you flush down the toilet and only flush things that should be flushed
Little steps can make a big impact
We should also care about the environment so that future generations may also enjoy the same quality of life that we enjoy currently
Do you like to have picnics or ride your bike? Do you play sports outside or sunbathe in the summer? Do you enjoy the birds chirping in the spring and the smell of fresh cut grass or burning leaves in the fall? Most people love being outside, enjoying the sun and breathing fresh air
If we do not take care of the environment, the world will be a much different place for our grandchildren or even our own children
Future generations may not be able to play outside because of low air quality and smog resulting from too much CO2 in the air
They may not be able to enjoy wandering through a forest because we had all the trees cut down
Little things in life that we often take for granted may not be there for future people
Children in China are already forced to stay inside due to dangerous and toxic smog levels which affects their livelihood and their health
It is so sad to think that these children will never be able to truly experience playing outside, climbing trees or making mud pies all because of the air pollution and smog in China
In 2014, the Carteret Islanders of Papua New Guinea became the world's first community to be displaced by climate change
Sea levels had risen so much from the warming climate and the melting of ice caps that the water threatened to overtake their homes and ruin their crops
In 2015, the island they called home was completely underwater
To think that climate change has destroyed so many homes and lives is repulsive
While this may not have been entirely prevented, there were surely actions we could have taken to mitigate the risks
But still we consume
Humans are destroying habitats and decreasing biodiversity, the variety of animals, plants and the other living organisms on earth
We are getting rid of many diverse environments to make room for the ever increasing population
Tropical forests have already lost between 80 to 90% of their trees resulting from deforestation
Future generations may not get to enjoy learning about and observing nature's abundant wild animals
Wouldn't you want that for our children and grandchildren? The CO2 we are dispelling into the air is making parts of our world unlivable
Parts of the world have already become too hot for human inhabitants due to changing weather patterns and increasing heat waves from CO2 levels
A recent study conducted by the American Climate Prospectus predicted that the number of dangerous heat events experienced by Americans each year will rise from a baseline of 4, the average number during the period from 1981 to 2020 to about 10 in the year 2030 and then to 35 by the year 2090
Scientists warn that climate change will lead to longer and hotter heat waves
The world has found this to be true in many instances
It is predicted that by the end of the century the Persian Gulf will experience extreme temperatures that will make survival near impossible
In 1998, a heat wave scorched Chicago and was the main cause of death for over 700 people
In May of 2015, India suffered an extreme heat wave with temperatures reaching upwards of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which was responsible for the deaths of around 2,500 people across many regions of India
Are we going to let our carbon emissions affect the livelihood of hundreds of other people? We definitely shouldn't
We should fight for our fellow humans and take our actions and their consequences seriously
But first, let's look at how humans are harming the earth
Humans harm the earth in many ways
Deforestation or cutting down large portions of forests affect animal habitats, the air we breathe and the water we drink
Hundreds of animals rely on trees for shelter, food and other aspects of survival
Trees provide berries, leaves and bark, which can be eaten by a plethora of animals
Trees also soak up some of the CO2 in the air and dispel oxygen for humans to breathe
Without trees, there may be little oxygen and the life of humanity will be threatened
As we cannot live without oxygen, we can also say that we cannot live without trees
The roots of trees act as natural water filters as water flows through forested areas on its way to meet the stream, river or lake
Most of the water we consume comes from public lakes or rivers
And although we filter the water before it can be consumed by masses, the trees help to rid the water of some impurities
This helps keep animals and humans alive and safe
Almost everything we do produces carbon dioxide or CO2
What is CO2? CO2 is a colourless, odorless, non-toxic gas that is dispelled into the atmosphere from a variety of actions, both human and natural
From driving to the store to farming and harvesting crops emits CO2
Manufacturing food, printing paper, taking the elevator and leaving the lights and water on produces great quantities of CO2
Transportation is responsible for most of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Vehicles such as cars, trains, planes and boats release CO2, which contributes to global warming
In total, the U
S
transportation sector, which includes planes, trains, ships and freight, produces around 30% of all U
global warming emissions
That's much more than most countries
In 2011, the countries that produced the most carbon dioxide were China, the United States, the European Union, India, the Russian Federation, Japan and Canada
The CO2 came mostly from the burning of fossil fuels
According to a recent study in the academic journal Science, it was found that carbon dioxide levels are at historic heights
Hovering around 400 parts per million, a level scientists warn is radically altering the Earth's atmosphere and oceans
Some 46,000 to 58,000 square miles of forests are felled each year
Species are going extinct at a rate more than 100 times faster than has occurred historically
And fertilizer use, which has boosted agricultural yields, has also reached an all-time high
But when carried by wind or water into rivers and oceans, makes them uninhabitable for aquatic species
We need to take a hard look at our carbon emissions and come up with a plan of action to reduce our CO2
The average amount of CO2 we emit each day is called our carbon footprint
If we were to eat meat every day, drive all over town to work, the gym, the store and to town and then watch TV with all the lights on, our carbon footprint would be pretty high
However, if we rode our bike to work or carpooled, ate food that was locally grown and turned the lights and water off when we were done using them, our carbon footprint would be lower
According to Carbon Fund, 40% of the average Americans' carbon footprint is due to their direct energy use
The other 60% is indirect
It comes from everything we buy and use, goods and services
Many of us are not aware of just how many emissions we are putting into the atmosphere
It is important to remember that every little thing we can do to lower our emissions can and does make a difference
Even by walking or carpooling to locations when we can, using less hot water and considering the environmental impact when you print can all help reduce our CO2 emissions and help the environment
In lieu of buying coffee from a fancy coffee shop every morning, brew our own coffee at home in a reusable mug
Unplug our microwave, lamps and other objects when they are not in use
Read a book in the light of a lamp instead of spending every night in the white glow of the TV
Shopping local instead of at large chain stores or buying fresh fruits and vegetables from a farmer's market can also help reduce the CO2 in the air
There are many changes we can all make to mitigate the effects of climate change
All of these small changes can add up to make a larger difference
Why wouldn't people not feel the need to lessen their environmental impact? Most people take nature for granted and don't care about recycling all the carbon emissions they funnel out of their gas tanks because they don't think that it will affect them
Not doing anything is just as bad as causing the pollution in the first place
Even if it doesn't seem to make a difference, making little changes such as recycling paper instead of throwing it in the trash or deciding to carpool to work can add up in the long run
The environment is a very precious part of our lives
If we ruin it, it's not going to magically become better again
It's up to us to fix the damage we've done and people need to start doing something now
It would be easy to say, stop putting so much CO2 into the atmosphere, but the truth is that many people would not listen
CO2 is convenient and easy
Would humans want to stop driving vehicles, eating meat, and bathing with hot water altogether? Of course not
We need to figure out a way to do things in a sustainable manner
Other forms of energy, like wind energy, can generate electricity without emitting CO2
Studies by the New York Independent System Operator, Synapse Energy Economics, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory suggest that increased renewable energy generation has the potential to save the American ratepayers tens of billions of dollars a year over the current mix of electric power options
This does not mean this transition will be without costs, such as upgrading infrastructure, training people for these new jobs, and retiring existing power plants, but rather that the benefits to U
consumers potentially outweigh these costs
Studies all show that renewable energy cuts costs system-wide by replacing power plants that are expensive to operate, mainly due to fossil fuel expenses
A study by the New York Independent System Operator showed that adding 8 gigawatts of wind capacity in the state of New York by 2018 would save $1
3 billion in power plant operation costs per year, roughly $65 per person served
The trend is clear
The United States is moving towards cleaner power generation, with renewable energy at the forefront
EPA's new regulations will help accelerate this transition, continue the reduction in U
carbon emissions, and offer customers hundreds of dollars in savings annually compared to the cost of continuing to run the current power plant fleet
Hopefully this trend will continue, and the United States will continue to invest in renewable energy sources
We have developed hybrid cars to reduce our dependency on oil, and engineered solar-powered lights to power street lights, fans, and even homes to reduce our use of natural gas
Both natural gas and oil, made from coal, are non-renewable resources, which means that there is a limited supply
We acquire gas, coal, and other resources through drilling and fracking, the act of injecting water, sand, and chemicals into the shale rocks deep into the ground to crack open and release the natural gas within
But these methods of acquiring these resources are merely temporary
Sustainable energy is achievable
We just need to decide to make it a priority
So why don't humans take care of the Earth? Why aren't people more concerned? One main reason is technological utopianism, the idea that technology will solve all of our and Earth's problems
Technology is becoming more and more advanced with each passing day
Discoveries and advancements in all fields, such as health, science, media, and engineering, are being made all the time
These often help move research along, but can have negative effects on society
In a Thai mobility poll, it was found that over 84% worldwide say they couldn't go a single day without their mobile device in their hand, and that 75% of 25 to 29-year-olds took their phones to bed
It was also found that 20% of respondents check their phone every 10 minutes
We are totally, hopelessly addicted, so much so that there is now even a term for a fear of losing our phones, nomophobia, and it's on the rise
Since it's safe to be addicted to our phones, or technology in general, email, iPads, laptops, and smartphones dominate our modern world
Our uber-connected lives have made us virtually available at any time, at any place, from the movies, restaurants, during church, at traffic lights, to our kids' birthday party, and even during Christmas
This addiction to being connected and to technology is definitely not healthy, and just encourages us to go through life without actually noticing it, or caring about the world and environment around us
Some of us assume that technology can and will solve every problem we have
Technology has made strides in providing clean drinking water to needful countries
Mapping software helps detect food deserts, and providing greater access to education, along with hundreds of other improvements globally
For the most part, technology helps make our lives easier
Our calendars are on our cell phones
Our lights have the ability to automatically switch on when we want them to, and we can pay most of our bills online without any hassle
Are we that confident in technology that we believe that technology can save the human race from climate change? We cannot assume that technology can suck the CO2 out of the atmosphere or provide new homes for all of the animals displaced from globalization
Technology cannot provide the entire world with fresh water if there is none to spare
Technology cannot regrow trees as fast as we are chopping them down
It is time for us to take action
Why do we often choose not to act when we see the Earth and her inhabitants being harmed? In a recently published study, it was found that there are three social narratives that prevent people from acting on the information they have regarding the negative effects on the environment
Strategic realism, the notion that oil production is good because it supports economic security, eco-apocalypse, our incapacity to act on knowledge we have, and technological utopianism which we already discussed
We rationalize that oil and the consumption of fossil fuels is good for the economy
And who doesn't want a strong economy? Using oil is not inherently bad for the environment in and of itself
The carbon dioxide that gets dispelled is bad for the environment
Burning oil produces waste products and pollutants and promotes fossil fuel consumption, which particularly for oil is not very energy efficient
However, we have yet to find a way to make nuclear plants or solar energy technology very efficient
When trying to figure out what is environmentally friendly, there's a lot of related processes that need to be considered
We need to ask the question, what is sustainable? What can keep the future of the world going? Is there enough coal in the world to last another thousand years? Can solar power be harnessed? Can plastic be recycled and manufactured from natural resources and materials that can be replenished naturally? It is only with these questions that society may start to realize that the amount of daily consumption, especially of fossil fuels, is unsustainable and negatively affecting us and our home
And the last reason why humans don't act on the environmental injustices of the world is simply because we do not know how to act
We do not know what to do with the information we have been given, yet to not act is the same as choosing to act
If we do not act, the world will continue as it currently operates
If we act, there is a huge possibility for change
Are people scared of change? Is it inconvenient? Do we think the change is not worth it? The only way to get involved in change is to learn about it and jump right in
Join an environmental activism club, take a class, and visit a local nature center or preserve
Immerse in nature and learn about the way the world operates
The more we become involved in nature, the more we will see the reason to help save it
The good news is that environmental awareness and activism is growing
According to a 2014 report appearing in the China Daily, titled Protecting Environment Topps Public Concern in Poll, about 60 percent of Chinese want the government to give priority to environmental protection when boosting economic growth
Eighty-three percent of respondents said their cities have smog, and about one-third said that smog is serious
In seven cities, Beijing, Harbin, Hefei, Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Zhengzhou, up to 60 percent of their citizens thought the smog in their cities was serious
Regarding its impact on their lives, 63 percent said that they reduced unnecessary trips, and about 72 percent said that they reduced their outdoor activities
This level of concern matches what we see in Europe, Japan, and the U
An article written in the Huffington Post states, When people experience a damaged environment, it changes their view of the world
They understand ecological interconnectedness, or what Barry Commoner once turned, everything must go somewhere
This has nothing to do with environmentalism or ideology
People know that we are stressing the planet's finite resources
Young people know it more than old people, because they have grown up and been educated during the environmental era
The younger generation has grown up in the mess of the earth
They have seen the effects of climate change, oil spills, and severe weather patterns firsthand
They have witnessed food deserts, droughts, and smog
In the world we live in now, it is easier to see the results of climate change, not just because the results are accentuated, but because we were taught to be more aware of them
People are starting to change their behaviors based on environmental impact
In a study regarding water conservation, 60 percent of respondents declared that they turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth
Recycling efforts are up over 80 percent from the 1980s
We are starting to think about the cleanliness of our air, the impact our carbon emissions have on the environment, and which bin to place our trash or food waste into
While it is far from universal, more and more people understand that we need to sustainably manage our planet's resources and ecosystems
In the 2014 Cone Communications Food Issue Trend Tracker Survey, it was found that 77 percent of Americans consider the impact of their purchase on the environment and sustainability when purchasing food
This survey also found that on average, 9 out of 10 respondents were willing to pay more for locally sourced food
But this shift in thinking isn't just occurring in America
The results of Nielsen's 2014 Global Survey on Corporate Social Responsibility shows that 55 percent of online consumers across 60 countries are willing to pay more for items and services from businesses that are committed to positive social and environmental impact
Let's take a more in-depth look at which parts of the globe from this survey are more sustainably minded
Of the 60 countries surveyed, the Asia-Pacific region leads the way, with 64 percent of their inhabitants willing to pay more for sustainable goods and services
Latin America follows closely behind at 63 percent
The Middle East and Asian regions also came in at 63 percent
42 percent of North American respondents surveyed said that they would pay more, and Europe trails at 40 percent
Why do different parts of the world have different responses? One of the reasons countries have differing perceptions and actions in regard to environmental impact and sustainability is because of policy and how it is implemented
Let's take a look at these different perceptions and how we have measured them in the past
The first published Global Green Economy Index in 2010 was based on the belief that the environment, climate change and low carbon and green growth would rapidly become important issues for national law and policy makers, as well as the global reputation of countries
The report reads, as we went to press, 2,646 events in nearly 162 countries mobilized pressure on over 100 world leaders gathered in New York at the United Nations to take substantive and binding action on climate change
The link between these issues and the reputation of leaders and nation states is more vivid today than ever before
This report has been conducted a few times since its inception in 2010, and with it, the results become more and more pleasing
The report in 2012 assessed 27 countries
The report released in 2014 included 60 countries all around the globe
The Global Green Economy Index report assessed nations on every continent
It was found that Scandinavian countries, along with Germany, were clear leaders of sustainability
When looking at actual performance, actually implementing environmental changes instead of merely talking about them, Sweden and Norway again headed the list respectively
Costa Rica came in third inside the top 15 countries for the first time since this report has been published
Germany and Denmark came in fourth and fifth
The countries in the rear included Poland, Vietnam, Qatar, and Senegal
China came in a measly 55th place on the list, and America was listed at 28th
It is interesting to see the top 10 greenest cities too, and which countries they reside in
Four of the 10 greenest cities were in Scandinavia, but that shouldn't be too much of a shock
Copenhagen, Denmark came in first place, followed by Stockholm, Sweden in third, and Helsinki, Finland, and Oslo, Norway in ninth and tenth respectively
Amsterdam, Netherlands was hailed as the second greenest city in the world
Vancouver, Canada made the list coming in at fourth place, while London, England, and Berlin, Germany came in the fifth and sixth place
Singapore, Malaysia was last but not least on the list of greenest global cities, and New York, New York came in ninth place
Sweden is the most sustainable country in the world, at least in 2015
A ranking this Nordic country earned for its use of renewable energy sources and low carbon dioxide emissions, as well as social and governance practices such as labor participation, education, and institutional framework, according to a report by sustainability investment firm Robicosum
A report released last year in Doha by the World Energy Council urged governments to design long-term energy policies and encourage research and development in energy technology
It said developed countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, and Canada are the closest to achieving sustainable energy systems
Neither the US nor the UK made the top ten list
Sustainable energy systems include renewable sources of energy such as biomass, wind, hydro, and solar power
In Sweden, the car company Volvo unveiled a plug-in bus system, which is said to reduce fuel consumption by 75%
This means less burning of fossil fuels and less CO2
This technology will also reduce carbon dioxide by 75 to 80% when compared with the now-present diesel buses and reduce total energy consumption by around 60%
These changes are being made because the citizens of Sweden demand change and their leaders are sustainably minded when it comes to policy decisions
Think about how much we could learn from a country like that
Regardless of country, environmental awareness has been growing for about a century, but has picked up momentum in the past decade
We can only hope that this trend of environmental awareness will continue into the future
Increasing levels of environmental awareness and involvement can only be a good thing
Sustainability and renewable resources
Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations
Sustainability is made up of three parts, economic, social, and environmental
The social dimension refers to housing, education, healthcare, and other aspects that contribute to one's quality of life
While the economic dimension speaks to a viable local economy, with job creation and incoming revenue not dependent on high-consumption or population growth, the environmental dimension refers to maintaining the quality of the environment and the idea of creating a more resilient city that can withstand natural disasters
Sustainability is based on a simple principle
Everything we need for our survival and wellbeing depends on our natural environment, either directly or indirectly
In order to become more sustainable every day, we need to consider the impact everything we do has on the environment
Our natural resources, resources that can be found in the environment, such as coal, ore, and natural gas, are dwindling
Fresh water is running out and we have a limited supply of trees
We use and modify natural resources to benefit us with little regard for the future generations
A renewable resource is one that can be recycled and made again, or reused
Biomass, power from the burning of natural materials such as plants, wood, and biological waste, solar power from the sun, and water, which only has a limited supply on earth, are all examples of renewable resources
We can plant more trees and hopefully the sun will not burn out within our lifetime
By utilising renewable resources, we are taking some stress off the earth
But with the overuse of natural resources, we produce more CO2, which then results in an increase of global warming
Which would you choose? The convenient way or the sustainable way? Is it global warming or climate change? According to the EPA, global warming refers to the recent and ongoing increase in the average global temperature
This increase is mostly caused by the amassed amounts of greenhouse gases or CO2 in the atmosphere
The CO2 or greenhouse gases get trapped within the atmosphere
Some CO2 in the atmosphere isn't a bad thing
It allows for heat and sunlight to travel to earth, and helps keep earth from going into a deep freeze period
But we can have too much CO2
If there is too much CO2 in the atmosphere, earth heats up considerably over time, along with a plethora of other adverse effects
For many, a warmer temperature is welcome, but some do not realise the negative effects such warming will have on life as they know it
Is climate change the same as global warming? Global warming causes a change in climate patterns, including increasing the frequency of large weather events such as hurricanes and floods
Climate change includes extreme changes in temperature, precipitation and wind pattern
These changes may be a little more subtle, occurring slowly over decades
The answer is no
Climate change and global warming are not the same
In fact, you may even say that global warming increases or affects climate change
One cannot exist without the other
Natural and human causes
What causes global warming and climate change? Are humans all to blame? How much of these temperature shifts are natural? The Earth is warming
Earth's average temperature has risen by 1
5 degrees Fahrenheit over the past century, and is projected to rise another 0
5 to 8
6 degrees Fahrenheit over the next 100 years
Although 0
5 degrees of warming may not seem like a lot, the consequences are huge
Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can translate to large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather
The Earth goes through periods of natural cycles of warming and lowering average temperatures
Ice ages have happened as a result of these natural temperature fluctuations
Before the Industrial Revolution, the climate of Earth was unaffected by human activity
During that time, any global warming was mostly due to variations in sunlight and the solar energy that reaches Earth
Less sun equals less warmth
Volcanic eruptions also shoot particles into the atmosphere, which also had a hand in increasing greenhouse gases and altering the climate of the planet
Although these natural causes are still relevant to global warming today, they are not enough to explain the rapid warming Earth has been experiencing over the last few decades or so
NASA and its scientists have the technology and the data to create climate models and simulations based on scientific data found in rocks, lava, soils and other natural elements
These models also take into account human as well as natural activities by processing information gathered from satellites and monitoring instruments on Earth's surface
They have found that the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere prior to the 1950s were primarily caused by volcanic eruptions and changes in solar energy
After that, the warming trend can only be explained by adding in the human element
Although volcanoes remain active and changing periods of sunlight occurs around the globe, the amount of carbon dioxide they emit is relatively small compared to emissions from humans
According to NASA, volcanoes emit, on average, between 130 and 230 million tons of carbon dioxide each year
And the NASA satellites that monitor the solar output from the sun tells us that the total solar energy varies greatly over an 11-year period
This does still not explain the dramatic increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere
On average, humans release more than 100 times more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than what is generated from volcanic activity
According to the EPA, CO2 emissions in the United States and other developed nations are projected to grow by about 1
5 percent between 2005 and 2020
Thankfully, there are some ways to combat this
Because of increasing carbon footprints, humans are contributing to global climate change in an increasingly fast way
We are using more CO2 than ever before
Our human activities are altering the carbon cycle, both by adding more CO2 to the atmosphere and by influencing the ability of natural sinks, like forests, to remove CO2 from the atmosphere
By cutting down trees, we are taking away one of nature's natural abilities to fight global warming
While CO2 emissions come from a variety of natural sources, such as decomposition of decaying wood and release from the oceans, which only contribute to a relatively small amount of CO2, human-related emissions are responsible for the vast majority of the carbon dioxide increase that has occurred in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution
In 2011, fossil fuel usage, created by burning coal, oil and natural gas, created 33
2 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide
According to the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, 2011 global fossil fuel carbon emissions reached an estimated 9,449 million metric tons of carbon, which represents an all-time high and a 3
4% increase over 2010 emissions
Since 1751, approximately 374 billion metric tons of carbon have been released into the atmosphere from the consumption of fossil fuels and cement production
It is quite shocking to find out that half of these fossil fuel CO2 emissions have occurred since the mid-1980s
Each and every year, we are increasing our carbon emissions and releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere
Data shows that between 2000 and 2010, carbon emissions have steadily increased on average of 3
2% each year
This may not seem like a lot, but each year they compound on one another
Maybe being more sustainably minded has paid off
However, scientists predict that for the first time since the early 2000s, carbon emissions may drop around 0
6%
The main human activity that emits CO2 is the burning of fossil fuels – coal, natural gas and oil – for energy and transportation
Many other processes also emit CO2, such as certain industrial processes and land use changes
However, fossil fuels are responsible for most CO2 in the atmosphere
Coal is responsible for 43% of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, 36% is produced by oil and 20% from natural gas
What do we use these fuels for? Natural gas is used to generate electricity, which is a significant source of energy all over the globe
Electricity is used to light homes, charge laptops and cell phones and heating water
Burning fossil fuels for electricity usage accounted for about 37% of total US CO2 emissions and 31% of total US greenhouse gas emissions in 2013
The combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel, to transport people and goods around the globe is the second largest source of CO2 emissions, accounting for about 31% of total US CO2 emissions and 26% of total US greenhouse gas emissions in 2013
This category includes transportation sources such as vehicles, air travel, marine transportation and rail
Fossil fuels are also used to produce and transport our food
Food miles are referred to the amount of resources it takes to get the food item from the producer to the consumer
Local food, often defined as food that travels less than 100 miles to get to the consumer, has less food miles associated with them
Buying produce, honey and other fresh food from a farmers market or farm stand has less of an environmental impact than buying lettuce and other vegetables at the grocery store
In order to calculate food miles, take into consideration the energy it took to produce the food, prepare and ship it and package it in stores
How our food is grown, stored, transported, processed and cooked can all influence how it impacts climate change and the environment
Why does our food travel so far to get to our plates? For a few reasons
We like to buy seasonally fresh food all year round
Strawberries growing season is traditionally in early summer, yet we see them in the store even through the winter
To get strawberries in the winter, they are imported and shipped from thousands of miles away and grown in greenhouses
This all takes more energy, gas and natural resources
Another reason why food travels so far to get to the consumer is because we are willing to travel farther for our food
People are willing to travel out of their way to shop at a certain store, maybe because it has a certain product they like or because it is organic
If you enjoy ready-made foods such as frozen pizzas, pre-made salads and canned soups, those have more food miles associated with them as well
The ingredients travel all over the country from factory to factory to come together and make the pre-packaged food
Then it gets shipped to the stores
We enjoy the convenience of our food, but at what cost? Buying local foods is better for our health
The shorter the time between the farm and our table, the less likely it is that nutrients will be lost
Food imported from far away is older and has travelled on trucks or planes and sat in warehouses before it gets to you
Supporting local food is also good for the environment
Well-managed farms provide habitats for wildlife, conserve soil, sequester carbon and help clean our waters
So next time you're at the grocery store, will you stop and think about where our food comes from? We create carbon emissions from almost anything we do
The use of fossil fuels is one of the leading causes of human emissions
From driving a car and buying and eating meat, to turning lights in our home on and off, and even printing paper creates CO2
The good news is that there is a way to slow down our carbon emissions, which we will cover later in this documentary
But first, let's explore what will happen if we do not take action to combat climate change
What has already happened as a result of climate change? We've talked about how humans harm the environment and contribute to CO2 in the atmosphere
By now you realize, hopefully, that something must be done
But what will happen if we do not take action? If society continues to emit these levels of carbon dioxide with little regard for their consequences, Earth will be in for a big shock
Effects have already started to take place
The consequences of changing the natural atmospheric greenhouse are sometimes difficult to predict, but we believe these effects will happen in one form or another
The Earth will warm
Some parts of the globe will have more increased temperatures than others, but as a whole, the Earth will warm
Maybe you find this desirable
Who doesn't enjoy warmer weather? Well, this warmer weather comes with many big consequences
The warmer weather may lead to increased rainfall and more evaporation of condensation
This will cause some areas to become wetter, while others become drier
This adversely affects the way of life people are accustomed to
Wetter or drier climates alike will affect the crop production and its harvest, which in turn affects the ability to feed the people of that region
Dryer weather may bring sandstorms, and wetter weather may bring floods
Homes may be destroyed, and people may have to relocate to find a more livable environment
An increase in temperature by just a few degrees will definitely affect the oceans
Glaciers will melt, causing thousands of animals to lose their habitats
Sea levels will also rise, affecting hundreds of thousands of homes, fields, and habitats
Major flooding will occur, and crops will drown due to the rise in sea level everywhere
Oceanic water will become more acidic, causing the habitat for thousands of sea creatures to become unlivable
Weather patterns will be severely altered as a result of warming core temperatures
Storms will become stronger and more frequent
Hurricanes will demolish hundreds of homes and lives
One hundred million people risk coastal flooding
Wildfires will spread through the dry grass under the scorching sun
Many humans and animals will die from unexpected heat waves and droughts
Your supply of potable water may decrease, causing millions of people to be without clean drinking water
Global warming and climate change will also adversely affect human health
In a recent study by Lancet and University College London Institute for Global Health Commission, climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century
Although vector-borne diseases, infections transferred through an insect or arthropod bite, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and spiders will continue to cause death, it is expected that death, especially among elderly people, will increase because of heat waves, which are the indirect effects of climate change on water, food security, and extreme climatic events
All of these are consequences of global warming and climate change
For some effects, it may be too late to stop the chain of motion, but for others, the damage has already been done
The sooner we change our behaviour and our thinking, the better
In this day and age, it is extremely important to get the future generation involved in nature and expose them to environmental education
Quite simply, environmental education is the study of nature and environmental issues, both global and local
From nature walks to science experiments, environmental education can be fun and engaging for children and adults
In a survey conducted in 2000, it was found that two-thirds of the public failed a basic environmental quiz, and 88% failed a basic energy quiz
Studies consistently show that the United States public suffers from a tremendous environmental literacy gap, and it is increasing
In one study, it was found that 45 million Americans believe the ocean is a form of freshwater, and 130 million Americans think that hydropower is America's top energy source
Given the state of our planet, this lack of awareness and general knowledge is appalling and unacceptable
One way that we can combat this is through environmental education
More and more children are spending most of their time indoors, in front of a screen
This movement indoors is not benign
There are health costs associated with this shift, attention difficulties, hyperactivity, childhood obesity and diminished use of senses
Additionally, if children are detached from nature, how will they learn about, understand and value nature? How will the next generation care about the land and be stewards of its resources? Raising an environmentally literate generation of problem solvers will help ensure that tomorrow's decision makers are prepared for the challenges they will likely face
Studies have shown environmental education engages students in learning, raising test scores and encouraging youth to pursue careers in environmental and natural resources
Hopefully we will see a shift in environmental awareness soon
Another way we can attempt to offset carbon emissions is by planting trees
Forests act as a natural carbon sink, absorbing more CO2 than they expel
A tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and sequester or store one tonne of carbon dioxide by the time it reaches 40 years old
Isn't that amazing? The Arbor Day Alliance found that 100 metric tonnes of CO2 can accumulate in one acre of forest over a period of time
While each person on earth generates around 2
3 tonnes of CO2 per year, the carbon footprint of 18 average Americans can be neutralised by one acre of hardwood trees
A simple solution to combat our CO2 emissions is just to plant more trees
You probably already know that there are other forms of energy such as wind power, hydropower, geothermal, biomass or solar power
These forms of energy are more sustainable because they do not require fossil fuels
Wind, sun and wave power are in great supply and are replenishable
Most renewable sources of energy have little to no impact on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
According to data aggregated by the International Panel on Climate Change, global warming emissions associated with renewable energy, including manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance, are minimal
Wind, solar and hydropower systems generate electricity with no linked air pollution or CO2 emissions
While geothermal and biomass energy systems emit some air pollutants, total air emissions are limited to a few
While geothermal and biomass energy systems emit some air pollutants, total air emissions are generally much lower than those of non-renewable resources such as those of gas and coal
In 2012, NREL found that together, renewable energy sources have the possibility and potential to supply over 482,000 billion kilowatt hours of electricity every year
This amount is 118 times the amount of electricity the United States currently consumes
However it is important to note that not all of this potential can be tapped due to conflicting land use needs, the higher short-term costs of those resources, constraints on ramping up their use such as limits on transmission capacity, barriers to public acceptance and other hurdles
Hopefully we will see an increase of renewable and sustainable energy sources in our lifetime
One of the most promising ways to combat the effects of global warming is through sustainable development, the ongoing development that meets future needs of people without compromising future generations ability to meet their needs
Building skyscrapers, highways and towering McMansions left and right emit 39 percent of the CO2 emissions in the United States
Shipping materials to the worksite, fueling trucks and other machines and producing the materials all take a toll on the environment by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Tiny houses are a wonderful way to get involved in the sustainability movement
The tiny house movement can be traced back as far as Henry David Thoreau and the publication of his book Walden
In Walden, Thoreau writes, I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, to see if I could not learn what it had to teach and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived
The Rose desire to live simply has continued into today's society, with more and more Americans downsizing their homes and living more minimally
In today's terms, it is a social movement where people are consciously choosing to downsize their living space
The typical American home is around 2,600 square feet, whereas the typical tiny house is between 100 and 400 square feet
They tend to be this small so they can be hauled with a truck
Tiny houses come in all shapes and sizes, but they all enable simpler living in a smaller, more efficient space
Less house means less building materials, less transportation and less carbon dioxide
Could you live in a tiny house? What will happen to all of your stuff? It is important to think about the implications downsizing will have
Becoming attached to your things can make it a difficult transition and tiny houses are not for everyone
If you can't picture yourself in a tiny house, what about just downsizing your home and your belongings? Having less things can be very freeing
A lot of this comes down to consumption
If we consume less, we have less
Less things, less attachments and less carbon dioxide emissions
Consuming less meat and more plant-based foods will help offset some CO2 emissions produced by cutting down transportation and importation of meat
Ride your bike to work or start carpooling
Buy things second-hand and make homemade gifts instead of being part of the crazy Christmas shopping in the winter months
Use less electricity in the summer and enjoy natural sunlight
Taking a good look at your life, your surroundings, your things and your behaviours is a great way to starting your journey to a more sustainable life and mitigating CO2 emissions
The more you educate yourself, the more aware you will become
This can only help you guide more people toward becoming more sustainable and living a less wasteful life
The important thing is not to be discouraged
It is easy to look at the facts and become downhearted
It would be simple to give up and continue to use non-sustainable energy forms, continuing our life as we currently are
Take some time to think about where your food comes from and how your carbon consumption affects others and the world around you
We must take care of the earth so it can continue to be a home for us and its many animals, plants and insects
Without earth we cannot exist
It can all be summed up in a quote by author Margaret Mead
We won't have a society if we destroy the environment
So what are you waiting for? Will you be part of the change? We are all part of it
Thank you very much
Audio:
Subtitles:
Fast Wisdom with Bliss: The Story of Yoga
Quick Wisdom with Bliss: Sacred Geometry
Wilbur's conspiracy theories: Ufos
Quick Wisdom With Bliss: Buddhism In 30 Minutes
Quick Wisdom with Bliss: Unconditional Love
Lil' Yogis Yoga Class: Just Like You
Hanuman Mantras
Earth Day
Wilbur's Conspiracy Theories: Ancient Technology
Lil' Yogis: Learning to Meditate