Grade 9 Geography Class eCards Gallery

Be the Change

Be the Change Created by: Scott Canmore #DECARBONIZE 2023

Be Energy Efficient

Be Energy Efficient Created by: Jared Canmore #DECARBONIZE 2023

Clean up your trash

Clean up your trash Clean up your trash Created by: Trayce and Ron Canmore #DECARBONIZE 2023

Stop Paying 4 Exploitation

Stop Paying 4 Exploitation Oil companies in Alberta continue to make mass profits ($38.3 billion) while executing mass layoffs & receiving money through tax breaks. Created by: Arianna B School: Canmore #DECARBONIZE 2023 Gray-Donald, D. (2023, February 3). Big Oil is Posting Colossal 2022 Profits. Environmental Defence Canada. https://environmentaldefence.ca/2023/02/03/big-oil-is-posting-colossal-2022-profits/

Alert: New Message

Alert: New Message To: @ City of Edmonton . ca Subject: We think that the City of Edmonton should be more aware of where our waste is going. It has come to our attention that many citizens are not using their compost bins properly, or not at all. We believe that this could be a result of citizens simply not understanding the importance of composting. This is why we are writing to ask that the city implements programs to help raise awareness. Organizing our waste is very important and if everyone in the city actually did what was asked we could make a big difference. Photo Description: Our photo represents how waste often converges into one big pile, even when compost, recycling, and garbage should be separate. At the top of the tree, the different types of all waste aren't together, which shows how many citizens in Edmonton do not separate their waste. Created by: Favour A., Rawan A., Sarah E., Taylor N. Canmore #DECARBONIZE 2023

Affecting Wildlife

Affecting Wildlife We always talk about how climate change affects humans, but what about our wildlife? Created by: Sara I., Lily K., and Brooke L. Canmore #DECARBONIZE 2023

Whoo Will Help?

Whoo Will Help? We need to save the very pretty Northern Spotted Owls, without us they will die. We think the students of Alberta can help them. To "whoo" ever gets this we can all make a change. Created by: Jaydan and Presley Canmore #DECARBONIZE 2023

How is OKM helping fight climate change?

How is OKM helping fight climate change? Hi, I’m a student here at OKM and my name is Meg and I'm in grade 12. I just attended a climate conference hosted by Extreme Hangout and #Decarbonize. We had many guest speakers come up and talk, and I was really inspired by what they said. It made me realize that OKM is not doing enough to fight climate change! We have a large student body of over 1400 people, and with that many people I think we can really make a difference, but only if these students are educated, guided, and advocated for. The many people who spoke today proved to me that students are capable of accomplishing amazing goals and projects. Imagine what all the other students of OKM could do for our community and environment too! That’s why I’m asking you to set plans to embed more climate change topics into our courses, and do things like bringing in guest speakers to educate us about how to become a climate leader and impacts of climate change. And maybe we can put forth an after school climate education program. Here is a link to Lacombe High Schools Ecovision project, a project led entirely by students that a speaker introduced to us about the power we students can hold: http://lchsecovision.weebly.com/past-projects.html. Even though it is student led, advocacy and inspiration (which is where you come in) is the first step to meaningful change. Created by: Meg B. School: Okanagan Mission Secondary

The Climate change problem in Canada

The Climate change problem in Canada Dear Mr. Trudeau, My name is Humzah K. I am writing to you addressing the rise of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Now I know that you and the government are aware of this problem and trying to solve it but if we want to make a real change and impact then we need to start trying harder so that we can resolve this problem or at the minimum reduce it. I think that seeing how us Canadians are contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change, we should make it mandatory to stop relying on fossil fuels and to rely on more renewable resources like solar panels and electric cars. Now I understand that this will be very very costly but we should forget about the money for a minute and focus on saving our planet because if we don't start taking more action then the future of Canada and the whole world will not be guaranteed. I also think that this would help with some of the problems the Indigenous communities are facing like lack of clean water and food. For example, in the Northwest Territories higher temperatures are negatively affecting the people in the area by the global temperatures rising. Fewer animals are migrating and it is becoming really hard to grow traditional plants in their lands. Created by: Humzah K. School: Elsie MacGill Secondary School

Climate Change

Climate Change I'm concerned about two issues caused by climate change. Glaciers are melting and this impacts people living in low-lying areas because as sea levels rise, there are more storm surges. So I am asking you what you're doing for that issue? Also, droughts will impact farmed crops and lead to loss of income for farmers, increased food costs for consumers, and increased stress levels for everyone. In conclusion, I want to know what you're doing for climate change and if you are helping, how will it help? Created by: Darrien L. School: Elsie MacGill Secondary School Map sourced from the Canadian Drought Monitor (Agriculture.Canada.ca)

Public Awareness Campaign

Public Awareness Campaign Dear Mr. van Koeverden I saw that there was a tornado warning for Milton in the summer of 2022. I am very concerned about this as climate change is getting worse and I was hoping as my Member of Parliament that when you speak to the Prime Minister that you would share that climate change is getting worse and that the government should take action. More heat is being trapped in the atmosphere now causing unpredictable weather, and leading to more natural disasters and people dying from heat stroke. I feel that your government should start a public awareness campaign to let people know about climate change. I didn’t know about climate change before I started this work in Geography, and now I care about it more because I know. I hope that other Canadians will care about climate change once they become aware of all the problems. Created by: Aria W. School: Elsie MacGill Secondary School Public Domain Image Credit to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

drake wasn't lying, ice melts

drake wasn't lying, ice melts Created by: Sobha T. School: Elsie MacGill Secondary School

Time is Running Out: The Urgent Call to Action on Climate Change

Time is Running Out: The Urgent Call to Action on Climate Change Hello, my name is Ahyan S. and I am 14 years old. I'm passionate about fighting against climate change and would like to collaborate with you guys to spread awareness and take action at my school. As you may know, climate change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth's climate caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which is really sad and bad. That is why I am on a mission to fight against climate change, with your organization's help. I believe we can make a difference by setting up booths at my school to educate our peers, teachers, and school administrators about the causes and effects of climate change. We can also organize events like seminars, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness and encourage people to take action. One important step we can take is to reduce our carbon footprint by using energy-efficient light bulbs, reducing plastic waste, and using public transport or carpooling. We can also encourage our schools to adopt sustainable practices like installing solar panels and using renewable energy sources with your help! I'm open to any more ideas that you may have and would love to collaborate with you. If you have any information or ideas you can share with me to take to my principal, I would appreciate it! Regards, Ahyan S. Pronouns: He/Him Elsie MacGill Secondary School Grade 09 Student Created by: Ahyan S. School: Elise MacGill Secondary School

Deforestation causes drought & wildfires in Canada

Deforestation causes drought & wildfires in Canada Dear Prime Minister, My name is Mahnoor T., I am currently a grade 9 student from Milton Ontario. I have always been interested to discuss various topics about Canada, including issues and the best reasons why Canada is a great place to live. While living here, I have seen multiple changes throughout the years of my life. Not only Ontario itself but I have learned a lot about how climate change is impacting other parts of Canada in various ways. Climate change refers to long term changes in temperatures and weather patterns around the world. These changes can be natural but can also be caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, energy consumption, deforestation and more. From my learning, deforestation is causing rising temperatures and this is the major reason why wildfires occur. From my research the three main provinces in Canada that have had the highest rate of wildfires are British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. British Columbia had about 1635 forest fires, Alberta had about 1342 forest fires and Ontario had 1198 forest fires. All of this took place during the year of 2021. According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association website, reducing tree cover and ground vegetation dries out the forests, causing a greater risk of wildfires and drought to spread. Trees help sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which is caused by burning fossil fuels mainly from transportation. In this case clearing land (grass), plants and trees is not only affecting wildlife but also affecting us by causing global warming. Causing an increase in flooding, fewer crops and loss of habitats for animals in Canada and around the world. From my research in the last 40 years Canada has lost about 3.3 million hectares of forests which were used to make paper, raise livestock, and urbanization production. After all of the learning and research that I have done, I personally think that you can help Canada to reduce the amount of wildfires by reducing the amount of deforestation and land removal. I thought of a terrific idea and decided to tell you about it. My idea for you is to discuss and develop various goals and jobs within the campaigns that have already been started. I know that there is currently a campaign called Tree Canada. Tree Canada has taken the action to plant trees in urban environments in every province across the country, which is great. But from my research they haven't thought of using another material other than trees in order to create paper. Using another material other than trees to create paper such as stone can help reduce deforestation. Stone paper is made from pulverized construction rock, this requires less energy than making regular paper and also produces less air pollution and solid waste. Without plants and trees we would not be able to survive. This would occur because we would lose essential functions for life on earth. But if we all work together and take action towards deforestation in Canada, I’m sure that together we will be able to reduce climate change and create a healthy and sustainable future for the next generation! Kind regards, Mahnoor T. Created by: Mahnoor T. School: Elsie MacGill Secondary School

A Student Wants You To Protect Our Greenbelt

A Student Wants You To Protect Our Greenbelt Dear Premier Ford, My name is Abby I., and I am a grade 9 student. I heard about your plan to build highway 413 through the Greenbelt. Although this would provide more routes for transportation, It would benefit our Earth if the environment was kept in mind during this project. Every year, humans release 37.12 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Luckily, in Ontario, we have protected farmland and forests to take in this CO2 and give us oxygen to breath. If the super highway is built, a lot of this valuable nature will be destroyed, leaving more carbon dioxide in the air. Along with this, there will be additional greenhouse gases that will be emitted from the machines used to build and the new vehicles on the road. We are also taking away habitats for many creatures like birds, and fish. Keep in mind, according to The Greenbelt Foundation, the Greenbelt generates $9.1 billion annually in economic activity through recreation, agriculture and tourism, and creates 161,000 local full time jobs that support rural economic activity. In the end, I and many others in my community believe that the last thing we need is more damage to our environment, especially in such a thriving and protected area like the Greenbelt. Please rethink your idea to build this highway in order to represent Ontario as a province that doesn’t contribute to global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you ! - Abby Created by: Abby I. School: Elsie MacGill Secondary School Illustration Credit: Jeannie Phan (www.jeanniephan.com)