Climate Change Delay, We Must! (Part 2 of 2)

Results and effects. The Paris Agreement which tackled what the nations could do to slowdown rising temperature stated that the temperature should not go beyond a 2-degree Celsius increase compared to pre-industrial level in fact it sets its goal to a 1.5 degree Celsius. Listening to the news daily, the rise in temperature seems faster than what was agreed upon. This means the danger to our health is already now. These are the effects:

1. Heat waves. We experience stinging heat when under the scorching heat of the sun without any cover and water. Days of heat are followed by rain and usually accompanied by flood.
2. Drought and famine. Long dry season could kill crops. When food is lacking, we will starve. Presently, the government solves the problem of lack of primary food by importing in billions, what is lacking. Meanwhile the farmers become poorer.
3. Rising sea level This is due to the melting of ice sheets and glaciers and also to the expansion of sea water due to thermal increase.
4. Flood. This has become a regular occurrence. Presently BARMM and other parts of the country have flood. Hundreds of thousands are affected, have evacuated, have their houses destroyed, some die. Many bridges are cut affecting daily activities. Billions of resources are destroyed during flood. It makes the country poorer, unsafe and less secure. Physical and mental health are affected.
5. Landslide. Whenever it rains or there is flood, landslide usually follows. For several justifications, people stay in their homes even when they are already warned to leave their homes. landslide is worse because usually those buried cannot be saved anymore.
6. Ocean acidification. Due to the action of carbon dioxide on what is brought to the sea and ocean, acidification is taking place which could destroy sea life.
7. Plastic products since they do not decay and so voluminous, prevent heat to escape from the surface of the land and the ocean.

At this point, it is good to pause for a while and ponder on the causes. What have we done to hasten climate change? What harm have we done to Mother Earth? What shall we do?

What shall we do?

God is not asking us to save the world. He simply wants us to do what we can, no funfair, not for glory, nothing to boost but what is godly, what will make us closer to him. We do what is practical and add to it later. Let us start.

1. Plant some trees around your house if you have space. Of course, you should also think of the danger of the tree falling on your house in case of typhoon. Plant vegetables more than you plant flowers. The more self-sufficient you are, the better.
2. Protect our forests, protect our rivers, seas and oceans. This could include not to throw our waste in the river, the sea or ocean.
3. Our home trash is picked up only for the non-biodegradable and the recyclable. Basically, you can decompose the garden trash to fertilize the garden and the flower pots.
4. Prepare only what you could finish, particularly the food. It is not an exaggeration that we can eat our rice that no grain remains on our plate after eating.
5. Use the minimum of electricity. You save and at the same time you are helping Mother Earth.
6. Save water. Use the amount as if every drop counts. If you have a water tank, imagine the water you save by using rain water. Imagine also the reduced water resulting to flood by your keeping the water in your tank.

I have a rough estimate of my buying a tank when I retired. My water bill has not increased for 15 years and after 10 years, I have already depreciated the amount for the expense and my water tank is still useful, no leaking.

I am certain you are already using good practices to delay climate change. If you have learned a tiny lesson form this column, I thank the Lord for it. DELAY THE CLIMATE CHANGE, WE MUST!