Addressing
the
Climate Change Problem
Introduction
Climate Change is inevitable but it does not mean
that we cannot do anything about it. You, as a
student, can do something to help address
climate change. Our lesson will provide tips and
suggestions on how to help reduce greenhouse
emissions and to help save the environment from
climate change.
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Explain how climate change can be
address;
2. Examine practical ways on how to help
address the climate change problem.
MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION APPROACHES
Climate change is a very complicated environmental problem
and so it requires a multidimensional approach to address it.
Solving the problem requires scientific, economic, social,
political, moral, and even ethical perspectives. Its scope and
nature affects not only one country but the entire world. It is
necessary for all of humanity to be onboard if we are really
determined to minimize the severe and catastrophic effects of
global warming and climate change. Response to climate
change requires two-pronged approach. These includes, first,
Mitigation Approach. It refers to the reduction of emission of
greenhouse gases and the stabilization of the levels of heat-
trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Secondly, the
Adaptation Approach, which refers to the ability of humans to
adapt to the effects of climate change that we are now
experiencing.
“MITIGATION
APPROACH”
Mitigating climate change means reducing the impacts of climate
change. To do this, it is necessary to reduce the flow of heat-
trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It can be done by
either lessening the sources of greenhouse gases by reducing fossil
fuels burning for electricity, heat or transport production, or by
enhancing the “sinks” that accumulate and store greenhouse gases
like oceans, forests, and soil.
To mitigate climate change, the United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2014)
requires:
1. The prevention of hazardous human intervention
with the climate system;
2. The stabilization of greenhouse gas levels based on
a time frame that would allow ecosystems to adapt
the climate change.
“ADAPTATION
APPROACH”
Adapting climate change is inevitable. We
have to adjust to the actual and projected
effects of climate change. The adaptation
approach to climate change aims to reduce
people’s vulnerability to the negative and
severe effects of climate change. It requires the
use of the positive effects and benefits of
climate change into our own advantage. The
idea is based on the belief that throughout
history, humanity have been able to adjust and
cope with the changes in the environment.
What can we do to help
address climate change?
We can all help minimize climate
change. You, as a student, can also
help in reducing the causes and
mitigate the effects of climate
change. Here are some simple ways
that you can do at home, in the
school, and even on the road to
help this selfless task to save
environment.
• Use water efficiently –
heating, pumping, and • Reduce, reuse, and recycle –
treating water use a lot through this simple action you can
of energy and because help conserve energy and reduce
of this, saving water pollution and greenhouse gas
consumption can also emission.
help reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
• Change lightbulbs –
replace most frequently
AT HOME used light fixtures or
lightbulbs in your houses
with qualified products
that can help the
environment. Choose
• Practice composting – converting food lightbulbs that generate
and yard waste into natural fertilizers to less heat and use less
help reduce the amount of garbage energy than standard
sent to landfills. lightning.
• Manage your school
equipment wisely – Learn
to save energy in your
school by turning off the
equipment when not in
use.
AT SCHOOL
• Why not set up a Climate Crisis
Committee (consisting of students,
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle –
staff, parents and members of the
doing this at school can help
local community) to explore what
save energy and reduce
your school can do to make a
pollution and greenhouse
difference?
gas emission.
