Aside from the financial crisis we are facing today, one of the biggest problems we have to address is global warming. Since our environment has taken a turn for the worse, many concerned groups are promoting awareness, so that everyone will take it upon themselves to do their part in saving our planet.

If you regularly read the papers or watch television, you will definitely come across columns or updates about global warming. But do you actually read on more about it, or do you choose to flip the page or change the channel? The truth of the matter is that, we have neglected this issue for far too long that we have sadly allowed such damage to occur.

We build dreams and hopes for our family, and yet we are still not doing much to ensure, that our children will have the opportunity to enjoy the same things we took pleasure in, especially with the issue of global warming looming behind our plans. Thus, it is high time that we take matters seriously, so that we can still look on to the future with high hopes.

In tackling this issue, it is best to begin by promoting awareness in our very own homes. When explaining to your kids about global warming, you don’t really have to be too technical. You may instead explain to them in terms that they can understand. You also don’t really have to raise unnecessary fears in your child. You can try to be creative by making a story out of the situation. You may then include some examples on the effects of global warming on our environment, and our lives in particular. Here are some key points you need to consider when talking to your kids about global warming:

- Our atmosphere plays a key role in regulating the earth’s temperature.
- The atmosphere is made up of greenhouse gases that are mostly natural gases, which acts like a “thermal blanket” covering the earth
- In keeping the right temperature, this thermal blanket release the sun’s rays back out of the atmosphere, which is essential for living organisms to survive
- Pollution, certain activities like burning coal and petrol, as well as cutting down of forests release “extra” greenhouse gases.
- The extra greenhouse gases make the atmosphere thicker, thereby trapping the heat in the earth’s atmosphere.

If the earth’s temperature would go up a few notches, and would continue to do so in the future, it will not only result to warmer temperatures everywhere, but it can also be dangerous. It can lead to very alarming changes like the rise of sea levels, and the melting of glaciers or sea ice. It can also lead to flooding in the cities, or drying of lakes and rivers. In places where they get lots of rain or snowfall, it is very possible for these places to get hotter or even drier.

Help your kids understand that with these great changes, less water would be available for human consumption. It would be harder to grow crops, and some plant and animal species would face the possibility of extinction. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and storms can also become more frequent.

In our own ways, we can try to increase the awareness on global warming. Teaching our kids about the problem, and encouraging them to contribute in their own way is a good start. Teach them about recycling and about conserving resources like power and water. Encourage them to be aware of how we can make good use, of the clutter that we have at home. Teach them how their useless things can be useful to others through donation or swaps.

Teaching your kids awareness is like teaching them about responsibility. We all have to be responsible citizens of this planet, so that we can address this global concern. With an issue of such magnitude, there is no doubt that we need to tackle this hand in hand. In saving our planet, there are no age restrictions as to who can help because every bit of help will surely count.