Pair Up

Pair Up is a pairing game that explains climate change causes, solutions and best practice an individual can do to contribute to climate action.

Climate change causes:

1 Fossil fuels: The use of fossil fuels is also a threat to wildlife and the surrounding environments, because of the toxicity it kills off plant life and leaves areas uninhabitable.

2 Deforestation: Trees and forests turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, so when they are cleared, the stored carbon is then released into the environment.

3 Waste: When the waste in landfills begins to decompose/break down it releases harmful gases into the atmosphere which contribute to global warming.

4 Transport and Vehicles: The large amount of transportation is done through cars, planes, boats and trains, almost all of which rely on fossil fuels to run. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon and other types of pollutants into the atmosphere.

5 Traditional farming: Traditional farming takes up a lot of green space meaning local environments can be destroyed to create space for farming.

6 Over fishing: Due to the amount of people buying and consuming fish, there is now a reduced amount of marine life. Overfishing is destroying the ocean.

7 Industrialization: The chemicals and materials used within industrialization can not only pollute the atmosphere but also the soil underneath it.

Solutions:

1 Keep fossil fuels in the ground: The more fossil fuels include coal, oil and gas are extracted and burnt, the worse climate change will get.

2 Invest in renewable energy: Changing our main energy sources to clean and renewable energy is the best way to stop using fossil fuels. These include technologies like solar, wind, wave, tidal and geothermal power.

3 Switch to sustainable transport: Reducing car use, switching to electric vehicles and minimizing plane travel will not only help stop climate change, it will reduce air pollution too.

4 Improve farming: Farmers should practice efficient irrigation management, using renewable energy, increasing soil health, reducing livestock methane emissions and so on.

5 Plant trees and protect forest: Trees and forests are crucial in the fight against climate change - they absorb CO2, and protecting them is an important climate solution.

6 Protect the oceans: Oceans also absorb large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, which helps to keep our climate stable.

7 Reduce plastic: Plastic doesn’t break down quickly in nature so a lot of plastic is burnt, which contributes to emissions.

Best Practice:

1 Spread the word: Make your voice heard by those in power, spread the awareness – many people do not know about climate change, educate people around you in your own best way.

2 Eat less meat and dairy: Reducing the consumption of meat and dairy products is one of the biggest ways to reduce your environmental impact on the planet.

3 Cut back on transportation: Leave your car at home and walk or cycle whenever possible. If the distances are too great, choose public transport, take the train. If you need to fly for work, consider using video-conferencing instead.

4 Reduce your energy use: Use less heating or cooling appliances by either putting on extra layer of clothing or going outside for fresh air respectively, turn off lights and appliances when you don’t need them and replace light bulbs with LEDs or other low-energy lights.

5 Respect and protect green spaces: Plant trees or nurture planted trees, create your own green space - add pot plants to your window sill or balcony, and if you have your own outdoor space, don't replace the grass with paving or artificial turf.

6 Cut down waste: Try not to buy more than you need. Minimize waste by repairing and reusing items, donate unwanted items to charity or selling them on, avoid wasting food.

7 Focus on planet-friendly investments: You can also spur change through your savings and investments by choosing financial institutions that do not invest in carbon-polluting industries.