The GREENS: What's Your Footprint? Do I smell burning? Are your pants on fire? Home | Episodes | Games | Blog | Special Features | Downloads | Site Map Who Are The GREENS? | Share The GREENS | Contact The GREENS ©2014 WGBH | Project Info | Privacy Policy Sea level rise in Kowanyama Qld “When that whole ocean comes and rises up, where are we going to go?” ponders Inherkowinginambana, a Kunjen elder from Kowanyama, a coastal Aboriginal community in tropical Queensland, Australia. “Every year it (the tide) comes in, it goes a bit further up….once it hits the swamps, that will kill all the plant life, and the waterways,” adds an Aboriginal ranger who works with local elders to protect Aboriginal country and culture. These tidal changes are not unique to Australia. Global climate change is increasing sea level worldwide. Historically, scientists have documented a wide fluctuation in sea level rise. So how does climatic warming lead to sea level change? Research has shown that thermal expansion of sea water is the leading contributor to sea level change. As the temperature increases, the ocean warms, causing water to expand and the sea level to rise; similar to what happens when bottled water is left out in the heat. The Kowanyama people Dreaming stories Links Kowanyama community
What is our carbon footprint? How do we know the amount of CO2 that we are responsible for so that we can take steps to reduce it? Our individual carbon footprint measures the amount of carbon dioxide produced as we go about our everyday lives. It is measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. How does the way you live your life contribute to CO2 emissions? Before you start exploring any of the other sections of this site, fill in this online questionnaire: Carbon footprint questionnaire After completing any of the units of work, fill in this form. Can I cut my carbon? Are there things you can change to reduce your carbon footprint? Alternatively, you can download both forms as Word documents. Calculate your own carbon footprint Are we able to adapt? Even if we stop burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests today, the world's climate will still warm in years to come. Discover more about how the climate affects our lives in the following sections… Next: Green Designs
Walking on Country With Spirits Located on the eastern shore of Australia’s tropical north, Shipton’s Flat is home to Marilyn, a Kuku Nyungkal Aboriginal woman, and her family. She has been living here the ancestral way — far removed from the services and conveniences of modern life. Like her ancestors before her, Marilyn walks through the Nyungkal bubu, the Nyungkal’s country, acknowledging and conversing with the spirit beings around her. She greets the spirit of the flowing stream that provides her family with freshwater, the spirits of her mother, father and grandparents that cared for the country before her, the spirits of her ancestors that have been formed into rocks, and the spirits of the trees and animal life around her that lend shade and sustenance. A change in the weather Marilyn has observed that the seasons are getting hotter. Marilyn feels that the “country is transforming, food is disappearing. What does it mean? “There will be nothing left because it is getting hotter,” Marilyn worries. What should we do?
Young Voices for the Planet | Dreaming In Green | Video When four Florida middle school students learn about the potential effect of sea level rise on Miami's economy, they conduct a school energy audit with the help of non-profit, Dream in Green. Through their actions, their school saves thousands of dollars in energy costs by doing simple things that add up. Use the link below to view the complete curriculum for this film. Here are some groups to help you with YOUR school energy audit: “DREAM IN GREEN” HOME OF THE GREEN SCHOOLS CHALLENGE Alliance to Save Energy’s PowerSave Schools Program Mapping - Contour Education