Amersham and Chalfont's Together September October 2022

JOURNALIST
Back to Earth School
We are constantly learning about the
world and its complexities. The younger
generation at school have the opportunity
to expand their knowledge. This year I
shall educate myself on what matters most:
our planet. The climate crisis is increasingly
self-evident from the extreme weather, to
loss of biodiversity. We are all taking small
steps towards a healthier planet, the most
important thing is to learn about Earth’s
emergency.
Climate misinformation spreads like wildfire.
99.9% of scientists (says the Guardian)
agree that humans have caused the climate
emergency, Sceptics still circulate excuses
such as ‘A changing climate is normal -
it’s happened before in history’. Even
the historic changes in climate led to
environmental distress and mass extinctions.
Alarmism is caused by the exaggeration of
climate facts, presenting the situation as
‘apocalyptic’ hinders progress in finding
solutions and creates mental health issues.
Climate anxiety can be caused by feeling
helpless in the face of immense issues. Being
able to recognise climate fact from fiction and
being better informed, can result in feeling
hopeful again.
Learning about the planet’s changing
systems from the IPCC website or any other
reliable scientific source can reduce the stress
associated with reading climate news. I receive
an online newsletter from The Guardian called
‘Down to Earth’ to which you can subscribe
for insightful research on climate issues and
strategies.
Researching anything to do with the planet
is a good place to start. Are you interested
in volcanic eruptions, weather cycles or
the animal kingdom? I read recently an
hilarious book called ‘The Unexpected Truth
About Animals’ by Lucy Cooke. This opened
my eyes to the plethora of adaptations that
different forms of life have gained through
evolution. By appreciating the wonders of
nature, climate consciousness in our lifestyles
can be increased. Another book I recommend
is ‘Save Pounds and the Planet’ by Jeannette
Buckle - a practical and well-organised guide
to environmentally friendly living.
The BBC series called Earthshot is where
the most innovative climate solutions are
supported. Whether you choose to learn
about the latest climate technology or the
importance of rainforests, all knowledge
gained is valuable as we improve our
climate together.
Taking action is the next step. Whatsapp and
the UN provide a chat service that informs you
on the small everyday changes that everyone
can make to preserve the planet. Click on this
link: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/
messaging-service-whatsapp to learn more.
1 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/19/caseclosed-999-of-scientists-agree-climate-emergency-caused-by-humans
Sanchi is a student in Little Chalfont.
The three things she loves most are
nature, people and writing. Uniting
these, she aims to create a brighter,
greener world!
Sanchi
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk 17