It's Claire. Guess my topic.

We have all heard about Global Warming. The many theories, the bickering of weather it’s real or not but what hasn't been one of the big talks about it is weather we can help at least slow it down.

Montana’s Glacier National Park used to have 150 glaciers. Since 1966, 11 of them have completely melted and 25 remain today.  Scientist believe that in the next 15 years all of the glaciers could be gone. Since 1850 the park has risen two degrees and spring arrives three weeks earlier because of the snow packs declining. The Earth heating up not only affects glaciers but it causes drier summers in GNP. Wild flowers are disappearing and because of the dry vegetation wildfires are extremely worse. In 2003 10% of the park got destroyed by a wild fire. Dan Farge, a United States Geological Survey scientist who has been studying the glaciers for 20 years, says the park will be entirely different in 20 to 30 years and "It'll still be you know a terrific landscape to come and enjoy, but it will have been changed by climate change."

Of the coast of Fiji and Papua New Guinea is a set of nine islands called Tuvalu. At no point are any of the islands more than 13 feet above sea level. Tuvalu is one of the most remote countries on Earth and one of the smallest. Tuvalu could become one of the first casualties caused by global warming because of the constant rising sea levels. Scientists have predicted that within 50 years Tuvalu could be completely submerged. A Retired sea captain Lotu Pasefika will stay on Tuvalu, he says “My home is here, but my family, they have to go, people have to stop doing things to damage our environment, People must look at us as people who want to lead a normal life, but we cannot lead a normal life because other people are doing what they want for their own development. What about us?”

How can we as single individuals help prevent disasters like these? It’s simpler than you think. Trees are an extremely vital thing to the Earth and life. Trees help keep the plant cooler, provide homes to many different species and give us oxygen. One of the first things you can do is plant trees. Everywhere, anywhere. Simple things you can do around the house are unplug devices not in use. Only plug in a charger when it is charging something. Only plug in a hair device when you plan on using it. Those items do still suck up energy- even when not turned on. That’s called phantom load.

Don’t leave water running when you aren't using the water.

Turn off lights when you aren't in the room.

In the summer close the blinds so you don’t let the sun heat your house and open up windows when a breeze will be around. It reduces your air conditioning. Same with the winter, keep the blinds always open so the sun naturally heats your house and make sure all outside entrances are sealed so you don’t use so much heat.

Look into carpooling. If it’s possible for you, do it. Look into biking or walking places that are within a decent distance.

All of these ideas lead into reducing your carbon footprint. You can find multiple “carbon footprint calculators” on the internet. Almost all of them include ways for you personally reduce your carbon footprint. If everyone took some time out of their day and looked up how they can reduce their footprint you might be able to help the kind people of Tuvalu or save endangered lives in the GNP.