The document discusses the causes and impacts of climate change. It explains that climate change is happening faster than ever before due to human emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane from activities like energy use, transportation, and agriculture. This is trapping extra heat in the atmosphere and causing the planet to warm up, altering weather patterns and threatening ecosystems. While some areas may experience benefits from a changing climate, others are likely to face challenges in adapting. The document encourages individual actions to reduce emissions through choices like using less meat and driving less to help address this global problem.

2. • Everybody’s talking about global warming, the
greenhouse effect and climate change, and for good
reason: it’s one of the biggest threats we have ever
faced.
• Some of the stories we hear about these issues can
sound like the stuff of nightmares. But what does it
really all mean and why is it happening?

3. • Changes to our climate
are natural and have
been happening for as
long as the Earth has
been around.
• This means that some
places that are now
deserts might once
have been covered in
ice or by rainforests.

4. • Australia was once a part of Antarctica. It was a
pretty cold place back then. But since it broke away
from Antarctica millions of years ago and started
moving north the weather has been getting warmer
(thankfully).

5. • But now scientists have
discovered that the
climate is changing
again and that it is
happening much faster
than it has ever
happened before: it is
this recent and rapid
change that scientists
are referring to when
they talk about Climate
Change.

6. • So why is this change happening to our climate?
• Scientists have discovered that the Earth’s
temperature is rapidly increasing and they believe
that this is because of the amount of greenhouse
gases being released into the atmosphere.
• There are a many types of greenhouse gases, but
the main ones that are causing problems for the
climate are Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous
Oxide.

7. The main human causes for these gases are the energy
that we use for electricity, the transport that we use, and
the ways that we grow animals for food.

8. • Most of these problem greenhouse gases are
produced in naturally in low amounts.
• At their natural low levels greenhouse gases act like
a gassy blanket, trapping the heat of the sun around
the Earth. This heat is the perfect temperature for
Earth as we know it. Without this heat the Earth
would get very, very cold: this warming blanket is
known as the Greenhouse Effect.

10. • So what is the problem?
• The Earth’s not the only one making greenhouse
gases anymore: people are also making them too,
and we are making so many of them that the planet
can’t take care of them naturally anymore.
• These extra gases are making the Earths gassy
blanket thicker and thicker. And because this blanket
is getting so thick it’s not letting out any of the heat.

11. • This means that the
Earth is starting to get
warmer and warmer.
This is called Global
Warming.
• Global warming is
affecting the way the
Earths’ climate and
weather systems work,
sending them a bit
topsy-turvy. Global
warming is what is
causing Climate
Change.

12. • A change in weather
patterns and climate will
have an affect on all
living things, including
us.
• If there is a big change
in the climate this might
mean that some places
will be better off, and
some will have a much
harder time.

13. • This means that some plants might grow better, but
others might not grow at all. Some animals might
have more to eat, while others might have less. And
some humans might find that where they live will be
changed so much that it will be too difficult to live
there anymore.
• In Victoria we may get even less rain than we have
now. This means that Victoria will get drier and it will
be harder for people, plants and animals to live here.

14. Map of the possible climate change impacts
for Victoria

15. • No one really knows what exactly will happen and
how it will happen. It all depends on what we humans
do now to stop the climate changing too much.
• There are lots and lots of people all around the world
working hard to stop this problem getting any worse.
• The only thing is, they can’t do it alone. They need
the help of as many people as possible: they need
your help!

16. • So what can you do to
help them and help your
planet?
• Start by thinking about
what you would most
like to see happen or
change: what would
that be? How do you
think you go about
making that happen?
What little things could
you do in a little way
everyday to help you
reach that goal?

17. • Using the Cool Green Hero Checklist that we have
provided, or using one that you have created yourself,
think up at least two actions to help stop climate change
that you think you can
achieve within the next
six months.
• Write down a few
sentences for each cool
green action that
describes what you
hope to do. If you need
some more tips, have a
look at the ones that
we’ve thought up and
are trying out.

18. Tips for helping stop climate change - Transport
• When you can, leave the car
behind and put your legs to work
on the bike or by walking.
• Catch public transport if it’s too
far to walk or ride.
• If you do need to drive,
try carpooling and take
as many people in the
car as you can.
• Make sure mum and dad
drive efficiently: driving
efficiently saves heaps of
greenhouse gases entering the
atmosphere.

19. Tips for helping stop climate change - Food
• Eat less meat.
• Buy local food where you can – the closer it is, the
less it has had to travel to get to you.
• Don’t waste food - use your imagination to turn you
leftovers into a delicious taste sensation!
• Grow your own veggies and feed the whole family
with fresh, healthy and tasty food!

20. Tips for helping stop climate change - Energy
• Turn off your lights!
• Open the curtains instead of
turning the lights on.
• Turn off the standby – that little
red light on your
stereo/tv/computer uses nearly
10% of household energy.
• Be smart with your heating
and cooling. Take your jumper
off before switching on the air-
conditioner, or put on a jumper
to get warm.
• Dry your clothes on the line
and not in the dryer.

21. • For more tips, visit the
Our Cool School
website!
• Did we forget any tips?
Send your tips to us
and we’ll post them on
the Our Cool School
site!