WOES OF MOTHER NATURE

According to the United Nations reports, fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas are by far the largest contributors to the global climate change, accounting for over 75% of the global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions.

As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the earth, they trap the sun's heat. This leads to global warming and climate change. Other causes include; deforestation which reduces the planet's ability to absorb CO2 increasing global temperatures, decomposing organic waste in landfills which generates methane emissions.

Bound to the echoes of the choices we made, chained to the paths our own hands have laid. No fate to blame, no winds that conspire - only the sparks that we struck into fire and therefore we must suffer the consequences of our actions.

Some of the impacts of climate change include warming temperatures, changes in precipitation, increases in the frequency and intensity of some extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

These impacts threaten our health by affecting the food that we eat, the water that we drink, the air that we breath and the weather that we experience.

Moving forward we must tread with care and thought each day to avoid our own hands from leading us astray. Climate change if created can also be controlled but we can only do so by taking action into our hands.

We can first at our homes by saving energy. This is because much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil and gas which contribute to CO² emissions. Changing your home's source of energy would also contribute greatly, renewable sources such as wind and solar are much environmental friendly.

Throw away less food, purchase only what you need, use what you buy and compost any leftovers. This is because when food rots in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Promote sustainable agriculture and land use. This can be done by reducing deforestation, by protecting and restoring forests, using regenerative agriculture, reducing fertiliser overuse and minimizing food waste.

Avoiding climate change entirely is no longer possible, but we can slow its progress and mitigate its effects by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changes that are environmental friendly.