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Each year, we desire for change, desire for something that even we, ourselves couldn't even achieve because of our ignorance. Each year, the environment's situation does not get any better, but rather gets even worse. Issues regarding the environment are taken action once it's too late which leads us to these 2 simulations which I believe is of help towards change. Both simulations have the same goal. For us to become aware of the happenings around regarding the environment specifically on Water and Climate Change. These 2 main topics are the ones that need the most attention and right now, this affects not only our community, but the whole world as well.
These simulations not only made me aware but rather deepened my knowledge about the many ways to combat climate change. I have come to learn that the things I know for the past years regarding climate change was only half of what needs to be learned. Through the different policies in the Climate Change Game, my knowledge widened and my perspectives changed. Climate change may just be simply saving energy for some but climate change is comparatively a complex topic. Many factors are to be considered such as the money, energy, food, water, and even the CO2 emission.
Water is essential for life as we all know. It comes from the natural process of the Earth which is the water cycle and goes back after being processed. The earth is composed of 70% water but little do people know that we can only consume less than 1% of that 70%. Water is one source that we humans often take for granted. Based on the Water Footprint results, it was seen that most respondents consume a lot of water themselves and in their household as well. This simply shows that we use more water than what the earth can supply us with.
Science has shown that climate change touches every corner of our planet’s ecosystem, and the water cycle is no exception. Due to the processes involved that are highly dependent on temperature, changes in one have consequences on the other. So how does climate change exactly impact the water cycle? Water evaporates from the land and sea, which eventually returns to Earth as rain and snow. Climate change intensifies this cycle because as air temperatures increase, more water evaporates into the air. Warmer air can hold more water vapor, which can lead to more intense rainstorms, causing major problems like extreme flooding in coastal communities around the world.
Water is more that just for the water cycle, but it also affects the physical and cultural environment namely the land formation, soil, and climate. Water was affected by the moving of the plate tectonics and caused disruption on rivers and affected the availability of water. For the soil, water is a must, for it functions for so many ways such as transporting nutrients and sediments to other places. Lastly is the climate, because we all know that the water cycle regulates climate through its different processes.
With all these, I get wise to the fact that water and climate change needs more attention than what we are giving now. We may be helping through our simple actions such as saving energy, but we need to take serious action now. Knowing that we are all thirsty for change and thus, we must quench our thirst for it.
