Ecubed | brochure

Introduction
Close your eyes, imagine the earth as it is now, green, blooming with life and culture. Now imagine it a few decades from now naked, with polluted air, a shortage of food and water, mass poverty and overpopulation due to some flooded countries. Higher temperatures on our beloved planet threaten us with dangerous consequences; drought, disease, floods, lost ecosystems and more. The effects of global warming are already being shown. Evidence of global warming is growing more apparent everyday, ranging from the polar ice caps melting to the temperatures of warmer areas such as deserts rising. Whether you believe global warming is happening or not, something is happening to our planet Earth. The issue isn’t proving that global warming is real, the issue is, how can we convince our governments to do something about it? How can we convince communities and fellow neighbours?
What is GBW?
Scientifically speaking, global warming is the observed rise of the average temperatures of the earth’s surface and its oceans. The main causes of the rising temperatures of global warming can be blamed on human activities. Our cars, burning of fossil fuels, excessive hosting of barbeques and meat consumption—(yes we know parties are important, but can’t you just eat vegetables?) and the burning of paper and leaves in the winter. The reasons are many and varied yet the impacts are infinite and quite unpleasant; rising temperatures are the most visible and immediate effects. If we continue our daily activities without changing them, the future does not look bright for our children. Of course some may believe it is alright because they won’t be here when it happens, but think of your children and grandchildren who will have to live with the consequences of our mistakes.
The Green house Effect
The natural greenhouse effect. You’ve heard about it, read about it, but exactly WHAT is it? Well, in simple words, the greenhouse effect is the process when atmospheric greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane etc.) trap some of the outgoing infrared rays reflected off the earth from the sun, as heat, which makes our atmosphere hotter-similar to the glass panels of a greenhouse. This process makes life on earth possible. This process alone is not contributing to GBW, the excess of gases emitted from human activities are as well.You might ask, “If gases are making the Earth hotter, then doesn’t there have to be something that makes Earth cooler also?” Our enormous yet greatly diminishing tropical forests absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, balancing emitted and absorbed CO2.
Causes
Causes of GBW are numerous and varied. They range from pollution by cars, to various harmful industrial processes to the excess burning of fossil fuels. Most are due to harmful human activities. Deforestation of trees by processes of burning or decomposition cuts down the amount of absorbed CO2 thus leaving surplus in the air. You may ask: if the trees are absorbing gases to balance out the atmosphere, then how come we are experiencing global warming? Consider this: these days, we are cutting down our trees, constructing more factories, using more cars, burning larger quantities of fossil fuels, coal, using more oil, and natural gases. The releases of greenhouse gases are increasing, while the absorptions by plants are decreasing. Pollution of oceans: which absorb large amounts of the sun’s radiation as well as of the atmosphere containing numerous heat-trapping gases. Animal farming is also a major contributor as cows that eat unhealthy nutrients pass excessive methane (natural) gas.
Effects
While causes are many, the effects are infinite as well as unpredictable. They vary from drought in some areas, to flooding of others, increasing temperatures (which is just a given), to famine, to melting ice caps to drastic loss of ecosystems and wildlife. The increasing temperatures will melt the polar ice caps, permafrost and glaciers which would raise the overall ocean level: thus drowning many below sea-level or lower countries. Natural disasters would increase and already have; i.e. hurricane katrina and Thailand’s tsunami.
Making a difference
Whether you are big or small, old or young, you yourself alone can make a difference. By changing the smallest day-to-day activities, we can all pitch in to help stop global warming. Learn about what is happening and try to increase your understanding about it. Always turn off all unnecessary electricity, such as lights, computers, televisions etc. Try to walk or bike to places that are not too far away, rather than driving and using gas. Get with your friends and/or school and organise activities at school to plant trees, which is a great way to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Recycle! Try to recycle as much as you can, and try to buy recyclable products. This way, there is less waste and burning at waste plants which release monstrous proportions of gases. There are also many special products made that use less energy, and conserve electricity. No matter how small or grand the contribution, you can make a difference. We cannot deny what is happening, global warming is at hand, and instead of fighting it, we can only embrace it and help to save our beloved earth.