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Recycling your drinks cans, and in fact any aluminium, enables it to be quickly reused as aluminium can be easily recycled again and again.

Bring your aluminium to the recycling area in the car park at Jersey Zoo and it can also plant trees to help to save rare monkeys in Brazil!

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Durrell uses money raised through recycling aluminium cans to help create tree corridors, restoring links between fragments of degraded Brazilian rainforest. This forest is home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world, including the black lion tamarin.

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Recycling your drinks cans, and in fact any aluminium, enables it to be quickly reused as aluminium can be easily recycled again and again.

Bring your aluminium to the recycling area in the car park at Jersey Zoo and it can also plant trees to help to save rare monkeys in Brazil!

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Durrell uses money raised through recycling aluminium cans to help create tree corridors, restoring links between fragments of degraded Brazilian rainforest. This forest is home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world, including the black lion tamarin.

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Generally, the less we buy, by using, swapping or repurposing what we already have, the less energy and resources are needed. This, in turn limits the effects of climate change.

It can be fun too and a great way to make your money go further. Secondhand shops are usually run by charities so giving to and buying from them helps good causes as well as the planet and your pocket - it's a win, win!

Why not start a challenge to see who can get themselves the best bargain or create the most imaginative reuse of something. A 'toy/book swap' event could work well too.

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Reuse, Recycle, Rewild! This popular Jersey charity shop is full of trinkets and treasures waiting to be discovered. And all donations help to save endangered species.

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The Climate Stripes for Jersey – visual representation of climate change - thediplomaticaffairs.com

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A mural visualises annual average air temperatures in Jersey with 126 stripes representing one year from 1894 through to 2019.

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What is Climate Change and what effects might it have?

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What is Climate Change and what effects might it have?

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Climate change is sometimes called ‘global warming’. Although the overall temperature of the earth is rising, not all changes mean increased temperatures.

The term ‘climate change’ recognizes that weather patterns are changing, food and water supplies are likely to become more and more unpredictable, storms and fires more common and habitats changing as a result.

Animals that can find ways to adapt to the quite rapid changes in their habitat will cope better than those that are not able to change quickly enough. Those that are unable to cope may become extinct.

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We've all heard of it, but what is climate change and what is it doing to our planet?

So, what is climate change?

Climate change (or global warming), is the process of our planet heating up.

Scientists estimate that since the Industrial Revolution, human activity has caused the Earth to warm by approximately 1°C. While that might not sound like much, it means big things for people and wildlife around the globe.

Unfortunately, rising temperatures don't just mean that we'll get nicer weather - if only! The changing climate will actually make our weather more extreme and unpredictable.

As temperatures rise, some areas will get wetter and lots of animals (and humans!) could find they're not able to adapt to their changing climate.

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What causes climate change?

1. Burning fossil fuels

Over the past 150 years, industrialised countries have been burning large amounts of fossil fuels such as oil and gas. The gases released into the atmosphere during this process act like an invisible 'blanket', trapping heat from the sun and warming the Earth. This is known as the " Greenhouse Effect ".

2. Farming

Believe it or not, cows' eating habits contribute towards climate change. Just like us, when cows eat, methane - a type of greenhouse gas - builds up in their digestive system and is released in the form of... a burp! This might sound funny, but when you imagine that there are almost 1.5 billion cows releasing all that gas into the atmosphere, it sure adds up!

3. Deforestation

Forests absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide - another greenhouse gas - from the air, and release oxygen back into it. The Amazon rainforest is so large and efficient at doing this that it acts like our planet's air conditioner - limiting climate change. Sadly, many rainforests are being cut down to make wood, palm oil and to clear the way for farmland, roads, oil mines, and dams.

How will climate change affect the planet?

The Earth has had many tropical climates and ice ages over the billions of years that it's been in existence, so why is now so different? Well, this is because for the last 150 years human activity has meant we're releasing a huge amount of harmful gases into the Earth's atmosphere, and records show that the global temperatures are rising more rapidly since this time.

A warmer climate could affect our planet in a number of ways:
- Shrinking sea ice
How will climate change affect wildlife?

Climate change is already affecting wildlife all over the world, but certain species are suffering more than others. Polar animals - whose icy natural habitat is melting in the warmer temperatures - are particularly at risk. In fact, experts believe that the Arctic sea ice is melting at a shocking rate - 9% per decade! Polar bears need sea ice to be able to hunt, raise their young and as places to rest after long periods of swimming. Certain seal species, like ringed seals make caves in the snow and ice to raise their pups, feed and mate.

It's not just polar animals who are in trouble. Apes like orangutans, which live in the rainforests of Indonesia, are under threat as their habitat is cut down, and more droughts cause more bushfires.

Sea turtles rely on nesting beaches to lay their eggs, many of which are threatened by rising sea levels. Did you know that the temperature of nests determines whether the eggs are male or female? Unfortunately, with temperatures on the rise, this could mean that many more females are born than males, threatening future turtle populations.

How will people be affected by climate change?

Climate change won't just affect animals, it's already having an impact on people, too. Most affected are some of the people who grow the food we eat every day. Farming communities, especially in developing countries, are facing higher temperatures, increased rain, floods and droughts.

We Brits love a good cuppa, (around 165 million cups of the stuff every day!), but we probably take for granted just how much work goes into growing our tea. Environmental conditions can affect the flavour and quality plus it needs a very specific rainfall to grow. In Kenya, climate change is making rainfall patterns less and less predictable. Often there will be droughts followed by huge amounts rain, which makes it very difficult to grow tea.

Farmers might then resort to using cheap chemicals to improve their crop to earn more money, even when long-term use of these chemicals can destroy their soil.

How are people coping with climate change?

Buying Fairtrade products can help make sure a farmer is paid a fair wage. This means they can cover their costs, earn enough money to have a decent standard of living, and invest in their farms to keep their crop healthy, without needing to resort to cheap methods of farming which can further damage the environment.

This support also helps farmers to replace eucalyptus trees - which take up a lot of water - with indigenous trees that are better for the farmers' soil. They can learn to make fuel-efficient stoves which will not only make them a little extra money, but also reduce the carbon footprint of the community - cool!

How can I help prevent climate change?

Small changes in your own home can make a difference, too. Try switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, walking instead of using the car, turning off electrical items when you're not using them, recycling and reducing your food waste.

All these little things can make a difference. You can check out more eco-friendly ideas, in our kids' guide to saving the planet! Plus, check out our cool article about Greta Thunberg, too, to discover how young people are making their voices heard.

You can download information about Fairtrade and climate change for your school, here! www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools.

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What is climate change: facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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What is climate change (a.k.a. global warming) & why is it happening? We explain how it affects our planet & how we can prevent it...

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How to teach children about climate change

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Educational consultant Claire Seeley gives practical tips and advice on how to teach children about climate change.

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Durrell's carbon offsetting scheme is based in science and has real impact on species and habitat conservation.

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Rewild Carbon offers an impactful, nature-based climate solution that has so much more to it than traditional offsetting programmes. Our approach is effective and science-driven, and we work with local partners with whom we have longstanding relationships.

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Find out about ways you can help with the climate emergency

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You may not feel able to all of the measures suggested, but any action you do take can have a positive impact.

18 Simple Things You Can Do About Climate Change | UC Davis

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As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said at the recent UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), "Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread. We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe. It is time to go into emergency mode - or our chance of reaching net-zero will itself be zero."

The outlook can seem depressing. But the good news is that there is a lot we can still do as individuals to change this narrative.

"The climate emergency demands action from all of us. We need to get to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and everyone has a role to play," said Niklas Hagelberg, UNEP's Climate Change Coordinator. "We, as individuals, must change our consumption habits and pressure those who represent us - our employers, our politicians - to move rapidly to a low-carbon world."

Here are 10 ways you can be part of the climate solution:

1. Spread the word

Encourage your friends, family and co-workers to reduce their carbon pollution. Join a global movement like Count Us In, which aims to inspire 1 billion people to take practical steps and challenge their leaders to act more boldly on climate. Organizers of the platform say that if 1 billion people took action, they could reduce as much as 20 per cent of global carbon emissions. Or you could sign up to the UN's #ActNow campaign on climate change and sustainability and add your voice to this critical global debate.

2. Keep up the political pressure

Lobby local politicians and businesses to support efforts to cut emissions and reduce carbon pollution. #ActNow Speak Up has sections on political pressure and corporate action - and Count Us In also has some handy tips for how to do this. Pick an environmental issue you care about, decide on a specific request for change and then try to arrange a meeting with your local representative. It might seem intimidating but your voice deserves to be heard. If humanity is to succeed in tackling the climate emergency, politicians must be part of the solution. It's up to all of us to keep up with the pressure.

3. Transform your transport

Transport accounts for around a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions and across the world, many governments are implementing policies to decarbonize travel. You can get a head start: leave your car at home and walk or cycle whenever possible. If the distances are too great, choose public transport, preferably electric options. If you must drive, offer to carpool with others so that fewer cars are on the road. Get ahead of the curve and buy an electric car. Reduce the number of long-haul flights you take.

4. Rein in your power use

If you can, switch to a zero-carbon or renewable energy provider. Install solar panels on your roof. Be more efficient: turn your heating down a degree or two, if possible. Switch off appliances and lights when you are not using them and better yet buy the most efficient products in the first place (hint: this will save you money!). Insulate your loft or roof: you'll be warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and save some money too.

5. Tweak your diet

Eat more plant-based meals - your body and the planet will thank you. Today, around 60 per cent of the world's agricultural land is used for livestock grazing and people in many countries are consuming more animal-sourced food than is healthy. Plant-rich diets can help reduce chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

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10 ways you can help fight the climate crisis

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While climate change is accelerating, there is still a lot individuals can do to combat the warming of the planet.

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COP26 meaning: What does COP26 stand for?

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You may have heard a lot about COP26 - the climate summit in Glasgow - but what does term COP stand for?

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Video - causes and effects of climate change

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Video - causes and effects of climate change

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A useful explanation for upper Key Stage 2 and above.

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Causes and Effects of Climate Change | National Geographic

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Video - What effects can climate change have on nature

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Video - What effects can climate change have on nature

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Key Stage 2+ level video explaining some of the effects of climate change on nature

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The Effects of Climate Change: Crash Course Biology #9

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Self-guided climate change trail at Jersey Zoo

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Self-guided climate change trail at Jersey Zoo

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The trail can be downloaded and printed or can be followed on a phone or tablet. Links can be accessed for further information (free visitor Wifi available on site) but the full trail can be done via a paper copy, so electronic devices are not necessary.