Tatem Elementary School’s fifth grade student Evie York discusses what she’s learned about global warming in her letter to the editor.
I feel really strongly about this topic. I believe people should help stop global warming. People have gone way too long without helping to stop global warming, and I’m worried about the Earth. I know people might not believe we can save the earth, but they might be wrong, you never know! Are you going to be one of the people who helps it or hurts it?
One reason we should help stop global warming is that according to the Union of Concerned Sientists, if we don’t stop it soon, it will really impact the Earth in a deadly way. For example, most of the world’s rarest places and animal species could face extinction by the turn of the century due to global warming’s carbon dioxide. Another reason is because of global warming, the ice in the world is melting more quickly, especially in the world’s poles, which causes higher sea levels. We have had 70 percent heavier precipitation between 1958 and 2012. Global warming is destroying the earth, one step at a time!
Another reason we need to stop global warming is it will impact people and animals. The number of Adelie penguins in Antarctica has dropped from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000. Some butterflies, foxes and alpine plants have moved north for higher altitudes. Also, risk of death or injury for people and wild life in coastal zones or islands is greater due to storm surges, coastal flooding, and sea level rise. Those are some things that we may not be able to repair, but we can at least try. If I were you, that would make me feel devastated if I couldn’t help them!
Another reason to help stop global warming is because it will hurt the future for many years to come. NASA reports that 1,300 scientists forecast a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over the next century. Since the Canadian lynx and wolverine rely on the cold for their survival, their species are at risk of dying out in the northern states. According to NASA, “Areas unaffected by diseases because of colder water temperatures may have hazards in the future because the organisms in the water cause disease when overheated.” You know, it’s not all about the past and the present, the future has to be involved too!
We have spent way too long ignoring global warming, but it’s not to late. Now here are some things we can do to help. Kids can help stop global warming by planting trees in a school garden or at home. Adults can help by switching out old light bulbs to LED light bulbs, they only use 25 percent as much electricity as the same traditional light bulb. Adults can also add solar panels to their houses, if they have lots of sun at their house and not too many trees. Kids can help by unplugging games when they are not using them (the games still use electricity even when you are not using them). If you are someone who steps in and helps, you might be someone who can save the Earth!
Even if you don’t believe that global warming is happening, you can still try and pitch in and help. The ideas I’m suggesting are easy to do, and they can make a world of difference. With everyone helps,, we can save the earth one tree, one plug, and one bulb at a time at a time.
Sincerely,
Evie
5th Grade Student
Mrs. Bushey’s Class
Tatem Elementary
