Tik Tok Pilipinas

 

Everyday, people perform a number of things that contribute directly to climate change. This could be any of the following:

1. Driving a car

2. Operating a factory

3. Taking a plane

4. Leaving the lights on

The list can go on, but how do these actions contribute to climate change?

These activities “use up energy fossil fuels that emit gases responsible for climate change,” according to the Philippine Network for Climate Change (PNCC). What are these gases? And what happens when they are emitted?

The PNCC says:

These gases are called greenhouse gases or GHGs, so called because they trap the heat within the earth’s atmosphere in the same way that a greenhouse maintains constant heat for the plants it shelters.

Normally, there is nothing wrong with the production of GHGs. As part of a natural process, GHGs keep the earth warm enough for plants and animals to flourish. However, in the last two centuries, human activity has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing the earth to be hotter – this is the phenomenon of global warming. As the earth gets hotter, the earth’s natural climate balance is disturbed, causing the weather to behave erratically.

One of the GHGs released into the earth’s atmosphere because of what people do is carbon dioxide. We emit carbon dioxide when we burn oil, coal and natural gas to run factories. We also emit carbon when we burn fuel to drive a car and when we cut trees. Simply put, by emitting large quantities of GHGs, especially carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere, people are triggering climate change.

The richest countries in the world are the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide. In fact, rich countries have become rich because they have developed industries that used coal and oil. Think of their factories making cars, clothes, appliances, clothes, name it!

Climate change is the biggest crisis the world has ever faced. Climate change will affect everyone. But the world’s poorest people – who are the least to blame for the crisis – have been hit first and will suffer the most. So when it comes to fighting climate change, we must put these people first.

For poor people, climate change means losing their jobs, their homes, and their loved ones. Climate change or what we think is simply weird weather is making life harder for everyone, especially poor people.

87 artists and celebrities know this to be true. They’ve joined the campaign Tik Tok Pilipinas of Oxfam and artists’ collective Dakila as climate advocates, convinced that this crisis has to end and convinced that something can be done.

Tik Tok Pilipinas believes that everyonce can make a difference, especially young people. 

Five Things You Can Do to Stop the Effects of Climate Change 

1. Walk more or take public transportation instead of driving a car. Cars emit carbon, which is the number one cause of climate change.

2. Unplug electrical appliances, turn off lights – save on electricity whenever you can. Electricity is produced by coal-powered plants, again huge carbon emitters.

3. Stop buying too much stuff. Your clothes, shoes or bags come from factories run by coal. By consuming less, you lower the demand and thus the production of products dependent on carbon.

4. Buy local. Meat, vegetables produced locally do not need to be transported over long distances and thus save on gas. By patronizing locally-produced goods, you also support small farmers.

5. Be a fan of Tik Tok Pilipinas on Facebook and receive daily updates on what else you can do for the Earth and the poor people who are suffering the most from climate change.  

Want to know more? Visit www.tiktokpilipinas.com.