05 Temperature Changes and the Future of the Earth
/05 Temperature Changes and the Future of the Earth
*Maria was a kind girl who loved people and nature, and lived in a beautiful town surrounded by mountains and the sea.
/*Maria was a kind girl who loved people and nature, and lived in a beautiful town surrounded by mountains and the sea.
One summer day, *Maria went swimming at the beach with her family.
/One summer day, *Maria went swimming at the beach with her family.
But she noticed that the wide sandy beach she always saw was getting smaller year by year.
/But she noticed that the wide sandy beach she always saw was getting smaller year by year.
“Why is the beach disappearing?” *Maria asked her mother.
/“Why is the beach disappearing?” *Maria asked her mother.
Her mother sighed and said,
/Her mother sighed and said,
“That’s because the temperature is rising, glaciers are melting, and the sea level is increasing.”
/“That’s because the temperature is rising, glaciers are melting, and the sea level is increasing.”
“It’s said that the Earth’s average temperature has risen by about 1°C over the past 100 years.”
/“It’s said that the Earth’s average temperature has risen by about 1°C over the past 100 years.”
“So the sea level is gradually rising.”
/“So the sea level is gradually rising.”
The next day, in class, the teacher talked about the theme “Temperature Changes and the Future of the Earth.”
/The next day, in class, the teacher talked about the theme “Temperature Changes and the Future of the Earth.”
Showing data from 2023, the teacher explained,
/Showing data from 2023, the teacher explained,
“When the Earth’s temperature rises, it affects not only animals and plants but also humans.”
/“When the Earth’s temperature rises, it affects not only animals and plants but also humans.”
“For example, the ice in the Arctic and Antarctic melts, reducing the habitat of polar bears.”
/“For example, the ice in the Arctic and Antarctic melts, reducing the habitat of polar bears.”
“And extreme weather causes more droughts and floods.”
/“And extreme weather causes more droughts and floods.”
*Maria asked, “But why is the temperature rising?”
/*Maria asked, “But why is the temperature rising?”
The teacher replied,
/The teacher replied,
“When we use a lot of energy in cars and factories, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are released.”
/“When we use a lot of energy in cars and factories, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are released.”
“And those gases warm the entire Earth.”
/“And those gases warm the entire Earth.”
Hearing this, *Maria thought, “Isn’t there something I can do?”
/Hearing this, *Maria thought, “Isn’t there something I can do?”
The teacher asked everyone,
/The teacher asked everyone,
“If each person saves energy, recycles, and takes small actions, it helps protect the Earth.”
/“If each person saves energy, recycles, and takes small actions, it helps protect the Earth.”
“In addition, countries around the world need to cooperate to reduce greenhouse gases.”
/“In addition, countries around the world need to cooperate to reduce greenhouse gases.”
That afternoon, *Maria joined a local cleanup activity with her family.
/That afternoon, *Maria joined a local cleanup activity with her family.
She noticed a lot of disposable plastic waste.
/She noticed a lot of disposable plastic waste.
“If this trash flows into the sea, fish and turtles could be in danger,” *Maria murmured.
/“If this trash flows into the sea, fish and turtles could be in danger,” *Maria murmured.
Then, *Maria’s family held a meeting at home and started an initiative themed “Saving Energy.”
/Then, *Maria’s family held a meeting at home and started an initiative themed “Saving Energy.”
They came up with small ideas like turning off lights when leaving a room, taking shorter showers, and walking or biking instead of driving.
/They came up with small ideas like turning off lights when leaving a room, taking shorter showers, and walking or biking instead of driving.
A few weeks later, *Maria said to her teacher,
/A few weeks later, *Maria said to her teacher,
“If each of us does what we can, it leads to cooperation, and maybe we can stop the temperature from rising.”
/“If each of us does what we can, it leads to cooperation, and maybe we can stop the temperature from rising.”
The teacher smiled and replied,
/The teacher smiled and replied,
“Don’t forget that feeling. That’s the key to protecting the future of the Earth.”
/“Don’t forget that feeling. That’s the key to protecting the future of the Earth.”
*Maria engraved in her heart,
/*Maria engraved in her heart,
She continued to find ways to help the environment and expanded her activities with her friends.
/She continued to find ways to help the environment and expanded her activities with her friends.
Review Questions
/Review Questions
Why did *Maria notice that the beach was disappearing?
/Why did *Maria notice that the beach was disappearing?
a. Because the temperature rose, glaciers melted, and the sea level increased
/a. Because the temperature rose, glaciers melted, and the sea level increased
b. Because it rained heavily
/b. Because it rained heavily
c. Because the beach wasn’t cleaned
/c. Because the beach wasn’t cleaned
What was one of the actions *Maria’s family started?
/What was one of the actions *Maria’s family started?
a. Turning off lights when leaving a room
/a. Turning off lights when leaving a room
b. Catching fish at the sea
/b. Catching fish at the sea
c. Buying a new car
/c. Buying a new car
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
How do you think *Maria felt when she realized that “each person’s actions are the key to protecting the Earth”?
/How do you think *Maria felt when she realized that “each person’s actions are the key to protecting the Earth”?
Also, what small actions can you take?
/Also, what small actions can you take?
Why is it important to cooperate with other countries and regions to solve global issues?
/Why is it important to cooperate with other countries and regions to solve global issues?
Talk about what you can do to help.
/Talk about what you can do to help.
