Script:
Ignorance Isn't Bliss: Climate Change
What is Climate Change? Seriously, what is climate? Is it the same as global warming? If the globe is warming, why is it cold outside? Can electric cars solve carbon emissions? What is a carbon footprint? What does the term net-zero emissions mean? Will humanity end from the effects of climate change?
Some of those questions are silly. But do you know the actual answer to those questions?
For a couple years now, I have considered Climate Change to be a major problem we (we being humans) have to solve. But until a couple months ago, I never fully understood what the term' climate change' truly meant. Nor did I know the answers to the questions above.
I grew up in a household supported by fossil fuels. It kept the lights on figuratively and literally. I needed to know the current and potential consequences of Climate Change to be incentivized to learn more about the topic.
This year, I had an incentive—My Senior English Class.
In 2015, all UN member nations adopted an agenda to "achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." (UN.org). The main idea of this agenda was to provide a roadmap that countries could follow to meet 17 goals by 2030. Each goal has 'targets' that hone in on specific areas of the goal.
That roadmap incorporates key concrete concepts countries can copy: increasing financial aid, strengthening institutions, and creating partnerships between countries (are a few examples).
These concepts leave little room for individuals to contribute significantly, but in my 12th Grade English Class, I was tasked with trying to find a way.
Each class member was assigned to create a project around one of these goals. The class final included all steps of the process: finding a goal ( that we feel passionate about, researching the topic, and creating a project revolving around those goals.
A goal didn't really stick out to me, even after reading the list multiple times. Regardless, I ended up picking the 13th one—" Climate Action" The target I focused on contributing to solving was 13.3 (show true definition on-screen). Basically, improving education on climate change's causes and effects and how to address these challenges.
I needed to improve my education on the topic. The best way to make that happen was to focus on the Climate Action goal using Quality Education.
Earlier in the semester, we read a book titled "A More Beautiful Question." The main point behind the book is that asking the right questions is essential for innovation, problem-solving, and industry growth. Asking better questions can lead to better solutions. A better question can lead to new possibilities, inventions, or ideas. Additionally, it can lead to assumptions being challenged.
Before I could take action in solving the problem, a research paper had to be written on the subject—detailing the history of the problem, the causes, the effects, the current solutions put in place, and a solution the student recommends.
While researching this project, I discovered that more sources provide information on climate change than I could look through in my lifetime—which sounds great. The only issue is that some of those resources were being economical with the truth. Take the book 'Unsettled' for example. At first glance, this book seems to be an incredible and credible find. It checks all three boxes.
I read the entire book, and it seemed solid as a standalone piece. But if I used that book as my only source of information for my presentation and research paper, the result would be a project created off the back of misleading information.
(slide presentation)
"Climate Change is real but overstated. The science is still uncertain. It won't be that bad, be for guys like c'mon. Also, humans can just adapt and move away from the coast if sea levels rise."
After looking at dozens of other studies, scientific articles and webpages, and other published print on the subject, I have come to two conclusions:
At this point in the fight against climate change, we need to think outside of the box for solutions if we are going to come up with new ones. All solutions up until now have two things in common
Remember this book from earlier? Well, it didn't only discuss questions. It also talked about how kids naturally think in innovative and curious ways. Younger learners have been proven to be better than older ones when learning abstract concepts from evidence. Utilizing the natural creativity within kids would greatly increase the volume of solid solutions for climate change.
My project addresses both solutions. I created an organization called KICCS (Kids Innovative Climate Change Solutions) to "give the next generations the opportunity to help combat the problem of unaccounted-for GHG Emissions." (KICCS Mission Statement). I created a website at the domain (kiccsolutions.org). In short, the website supplies education for kids to understand climate change. Then it provides a platform for them to submit solutions to climate change.
The website lists projects and plans page listing plans regarding KICCS up until this September. These plans include creating a video series covering all topics climate change, setting up communication and submission of solutions generated with institutions within the field of climate change, and more.
It is demoralizing when most people talk or hear new information on climate change. With a constant stream of negative media regarding the outcomes of climate change, staying positive and hopeful in this field is difficult. Although creating and implementing major solutions to help fight climate change is an arduous task, giving up hope is not an option.
If kids come up with excellent solutions to help solve climate change, there will be a need to push that solution into the public eye—and that is where the reader should come in. Whether through grassroots lobbying, protest marches, fundraising, or volunteering, joining an organization against climate change is the best way to help. Everyone should care about climate change, and contribute to the cause.
I have much more to say on climate change, current solutions, and future plans with KICCS, but I want to leave time for questions if anyone has any.
Thank you guys again. Real quick I wanted to say that questions you have can also be submitted on our website's contact form.
What is Climate Change? Seriously, what is climate? Is it the same as global warming? If the globe is warming, why is it cold outside? Can electric cars solve carbon emissions? What is a carbon footprint? What does the term net-zero emissions mean? Will humanity end from the effects of climate change?
Some of those questions are silly. But do you know the actual answer to those questions?
For a couple years now, I have considered Climate Change to be a major problem we (we being humans) have to solve. But until a couple months ago, I never fully understood what the term' climate change' truly meant. Nor did I know the answers to the questions above.
I grew up in a household supported by fossil fuels. It kept the lights on figuratively and literally. I needed to know the current and potential consequences of Climate Change to be incentivized to learn more about the topic.
This year, I had an incentive—My Senior English Class.
In 2015, all UN member nations adopted an agenda to "achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." (UN.org). The main idea of this agenda was to provide a roadmap that countries could follow to meet 17 goals by 2030. Each goal has 'targets' that hone in on specific areas of the goal.
That roadmap incorporates key concrete concepts countries can copy: increasing financial aid, strengthening institutions, and creating partnerships between countries (are a few examples).
These concepts leave little room for individuals to contribute significantly, but in my 12th Grade English Class, I was tasked with trying to find a way.
Each class member was assigned to create a project around one of these goals. The class final included all steps of the process: finding a goal ( that we feel passionate about, researching the topic, and creating a project revolving around those goals.
A goal didn't really stick out to me, even after reading the list multiple times. Regardless, I ended up picking the 13th one—" Climate Action" The target I focused on contributing to solving was 13.3 (show true definition on-screen). Basically, improving education on climate change's causes and effects and how to address these challenges.
I needed to improve my education on the topic. The best way to make that happen was to focus on the Climate Action goal using Quality Education.
Earlier in the semester, we read a book titled "A More Beautiful Question." The main point behind the book is that asking the right questions is essential for innovation, problem-solving, and industry growth. Asking better questions can lead to better solutions. A better question can lead to new possibilities, inventions, or ideas. Additionally, it can lead to assumptions being challenged.
Before I could take action in solving the problem, a research paper had to be written on the subject—detailing the history of the problem, the causes, the effects, the current solutions put in place, and a solution the student recommends.
While researching this project, I discovered that more sources provide information on climate change than I could look through in my lifetime—which sounds great. The only issue is that some of those resources were being economical with the truth. Take the book 'Unsettled' for example. At first glance, this book seems to be an incredible and credible find. It checks all three boxes.
- The author has solid credentials. Steven Koonin earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from MIT. He also has served as the Under Secretary for Science at the U.S. Department of Energy.
- The information seems important and intriguing, Almost whistleblower-like, meaning it provides information that could be deemed scandalous. The sources have all been provided throughout the book and at the end.
- And the cover looks kind of cool. All three boxes were checked.
I read the entire book, and it seemed solid as a standalone piece. But if I used that book as my only source of information for my presentation and research paper, the result would be a project created off the back of misleading information.
(slide presentation)
"Climate Change is real but overstated. The science is still uncertain. It won't be that bad, be for guys like c'mon. Also, humans can just adapt and move away from the coast if sea levels rise."
After looking at dozens of other studies, scientific articles and webpages, and other published print on the subject, I have come to two conclusions:
- Kids could use more straightforward ways to learn about climate.
- We can end the climate change crisis with solutions we currently have but aren't. More work is needed to create more straightforward solutions or push out current solutions.
At this point in the fight against climate change, we need to think outside of the box for solutions if we are going to come up with new ones. All solutions up until now have two things in common
- They didn't work
- They were drawn up by adults.
Remember this book from earlier? Well, it didn't only discuss questions. It also talked about how kids naturally think in innovative and curious ways. Younger learners have been proven to be better than older ones when learning abstract concepts from evidence. Utilizing the natural creativity within kids would greatly increase the volume of solid solutions for climate change.
My project addresses both solutions. I created an organization called KICCS (Kids Innovative Climate Change Solutions) to "give the next generations the opportunity to help combat the problem of unaccounted-for GHG Emissions." (KICCS Mission Statement). I created a website at the domain (kiccsolutions.org). In short, the website supplies education for kids to understand climate change. Then it provides a platform for them to submit solutions to climate change.
The website lists projects and plans page listing plans regarding KICCS up until this September. These plans include creating a video series covering all topics climate change, setting up communication and submission of solutions generated with institutions within the field of climate change, and more.
It is demoralizing when most people talk or hear new information on climate change. With a constant stream of negative media regarding the outcomes of climate change, staying positive and hopeful in this field is difficult. Although creating and implementing major solutions to help fight climate change is an arduous task, giving up hope is not an option.
If kids come up with excellent solutions to help solve climate change, there will be a need to push that solution into the public eye—and that is where the reader should come in. Whether through grassroots lobbying, protest marches, fundraising, or volunteering, joining an organization against climate change is the best way to help. Everyone should care about climate change, and contribute to the cause.
I have much more to say on climate change, current solutions, and future plans with KICCS, but I want to leave time for questions if anyone has any.
Thank you guys again. Real quick I wanted to say that questions you have can also be submitted on our website's contact form.