ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — By Malachy Stapleton (age 10)
Special to The Telegram
When people talk about climate change, they are talking about long-term changes in the weather conditions of the Earth. There are lots of reasons why these changes are happening, but most scientists agree the main sources of the problem are human actions.
It might seem like a grown-up topic, but as environmental activist Greta Thunberg has shown the world, kids are interested in talking about the climate crisis, too. Even kids younger than Greta want to talk about what’s happening to our planet and what we can do to make a difference.
I spoke with Mrs. Melissa Kennedy, who teaches a class of grade 4s and 5s at St. Mary’s Elementary in St. John’s. I asked her if her students are interested in the climate crisis. She said yes.
“It surprised me. When I started talking to my students about climate change I didn’t think they would know as much as they did,” she told me.
"When I started talking to my students about climate change I didn’t think they would know as much as they did." — Melissa Kennedy
She said her students seem really interested to learn more.
I asked her if her students understand what the climate crisis means.
“I think it needs to be talked about more in the elementary grades, but I think as we go through this year, they will learn more,” Mrs. Kennedy said.
Then I spoke with some of Mrs. Kennedy’s students. I asked them if they think the climate crisis is a real thing, because not everyone believes it is actually happening. All the kids I talked to said they think it is. They told me they are concerned about things like melting polar ice, polar bears’ habitats, flooding and carbon dioxide from cars.
“Climate change is what’s happening right now. It means the Earth is warming up, sea ice is melting, which causes polar bears not to have habitats anymore,” said Fiona McNabb, age 10. “I believe climate change is very real and needs to be stopped.”
Most of the students believe we can do things at home to help put less carbon dioxide into the air. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, and greenhouse gases are believed to be a big cause of climate change.
Here’s an interesting fact: methane is also a greenhouse gas. Do you know what one of the sources of methane is? Cow farts.
“I think we should start recycling and taking the bus instead of everyone using their own car,” said Isaac King, age 9.
“I believe people need to take action and help save our planet by not cutting or burning down as many trees and making sure that our animals are safe,” said Ella Drodge, age 10
