A NEW WAY TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
In 2015, an important document was signed in Paris by almost all countries of the world. Known as the Paris Agreement (PA), it includes details of actions that governments must take to deal with the problem of climate change. And indeed, many of the goals of the PA have been achieved. For example, wealthy countries pay 100 billion dollars annually to help poorer ones cope with the terrible effects of climate change.(lines 1–5)
Many countries have introduced their own policies to help stop climate change from getting worse. Most importantly, energy sources that damage the environment have been replaced with green energy, such as wind power and solar1 power. Major industrial nations, such as China and Germany, are investing billions of dollars in green energy. Even tiny island nations in the Pacific Ocean are switching to solar power. But according to climate scientist Donna Parker, more needs to be done. "We must also get as many people involved as possible," she says. "Every person and every family should be made aware of the dangers, and do what they can to help."(lines 6–12)
There have been many attempts to encourage people to adopt a way of life that is more environmentally friendly – for example, to use less electricity. However, these attempts have often failed. "Unfortunately, most people still ignore the problem of climate change," says Parker. "They see the news of huge storms and terrible forest fires, but still think of climate change as a distant threat. They just don't believe it could directly affect them and their families."(lines 13–17)
So how can this attitude be changed? Studies done in the USA in the last few years point to a surprising answer: Parents can be educated by their children. In one study, for example, the scientists designed a school program for 11- to 14-year-old children. The kids learned about the effects of climate change on local wildlife, and were encouraged to discuss the subject with their parents. Before the program, the scientists gave the parents a survey2 to find out how concerned they were about climate change. After the program, parents were surveyed again to see if their attitudes changed following conversations with their kids.(lines 18–24)
The surveys showed that the school program was a great success. "Parents whose kids participated in the program became more concerned about climate change because they understood that it was causing local damage too," says Parker. "This understanding is very important because it can make people more willing to behave responsibly3. I would love to see programs like this in every school. They could make a big difference."(lines 25–29)