Global warming is caused by gases, such as carbon dioxide, being released into the atmosphere. We release these when burning fossil fuels to make energy. 

These trap heat in, making the Earth's temperature get gradually higher. The hotter temperatures are melting the polar ice caps, resulting in higher sea levels and increased risk of flooding. The changes in temperature and unpredictable nature of the weather make it hard for species to adapt and for us to grow food. 

You can help prevent Global Warming by saving energy...

• Switch off lights and gadgets that you aren't using  
• Walk or take the bus instead of driving 
• Shut doors and close curtains to keep the heat in  
• Use less screens - play board games or go outside instead of watching TV or playing video games  
• Save water by following the tips below
• Don't listen to people who say it isn't really a problem - 97% of scientists agree that global warming is a problem and that we are causing it. 

We need to save water as only a small percentage of all water on Earth is available to be drunk, so it can run out. As the human population grows, an increasing number of people will rely on this resource, as do all of the animals, insects and plants on Earth. 

Saving water will also help to save energy, as we use lots of energy to clean it, pump it into our homes and to heat it up. 

To save water...

• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
• Take short showers instead of baths 
• Fix dripping taps
• Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe
• Collect rainwater for your plants in a water butt
• Pour spare water over plants instead of down the drain
• Make sure you have a full load when using the dishwasher or washing machine
• Put water in the fridge to cool instead of running the tap to make it cold
• Install a water saving device in the loo

We throw a lot of stuff away, but when we do so, it doesn't just 'disappear' - it has to go somewhere. If it ends up in landfill it rots down to release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and leak chemicals into the ground, which can end up in our water. It is also a complete waste of all of the energy and materials used to make the product in the first place. 

Recycling is a great way to avoid sending our rubbish to landfill, and it uses less energy and materials to make the new products. It is really important for us all to recycle as much of our rubbish as possible.

The best way to make your wast disappear is to reduce how much you produce in the first place by...

• Refusing to use things you don't need (e.g. plastic water bottle, plastic bags, straws)  
• Reusing things as much as possible (e.g. get rechargeable batteries, refill water bottles, use the back of every sheet of paper) 
• Repair broken items instead of throwing them away 
• Re-homing things that can be used again...take them to a charity shop

Our actions have an effect on even the hardest to reach areas of the world. Our oceans are becoming so polluted that by 2050 it is expected there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. Marine life can become trapped in our waste or mistake it for food, often resulting in death.

We also leak toxic chemicals and sewage into our waters which can spread disease and disrupt or kill marine life. These come from overflowing or leaking pipes, or end up in the water after leaking into the land. 

To help keep the oceans clean...

• Never drop litter (as this gets blown into rivers) 
• Make sure you don't put the wrong things down the loo or drains to prevent sewers getting blocked and overflowing into our waterways 
• Try to buy more organic food or grow your own to reduce the chemicals ending up in the water 
• Reduce our plastic waste - Start by saying no to straws, plastic bags and plastic water bottles.
• Reduce energy use to reduce the amount of oil we need to drill for (to prevent oil spills)

Forests are essential to life on earth and provide many wonderful benefits, yet over 50% of Earth's forests have already been lost. We are cutting them down at an alarming rate of 20 football fields a minute, and our rainforests could disappear within 100 years if we carry on. 

We cut forests down to make space for farmland and houses, but also to make wood and paper. 

You can help prevent deforestation by saving and recycling paper...

• Remember to always use the back of your paper for notes or drawings instead of just throwing it away
• Try to use less paper - make notes on your phones or tablets instead 
• Recycle all paper that you have used - if everyone in the UK recycled just 10% more paper, we would save 5 million trees every year
• Buy recycled paper products - Megan only uses paper in her shows and marketing materials if it is 100% recycled paper, proving it can be done!
• Choose products which have less packaging

Species across the world are going extinct because of human actions. By following all of the tips above, you will be helping to stop this by reducing the many threats we cause.

One of the biggest threats to species is that we are destroying their habitats, so they have nowhere to live and nothing to eat. For example, we cut down the forests they live in, pollute their ocean habitat or let global warming melt the ice caps they live on.  

To save species close to home...

• Feed the birds and give them water to drink
• Create wildlife habitats: ponds, bird boxes and log piles are great examples of these
• Grow more flowers to help save the bees and other insects. This in turn will help the birds and other animals that eat them.
• If you don't have a garden, try a window box or pots, or convince someone you know to grow more flowers on your behalf!
• Get involved with a local community project which helps to create safe spaces for nature.