Climate Change, Waste Management and Environmental Care for Primary 1

Climate Change, Waste Management and Environmental Care for Primary 1

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. discuss the meaning of climate and climate change;
2. explain the causes of climate change;
3. explain the impact of climate change on the environment;
4. state the ways of managing waste in our environment;
5. identify actions that can reduce the effects of climate change on human.

What is Climate?

Weather is what the sky and air are like each day. Sometimes it is sunny, sometimes it rains, and sometimes it is windy.

Climate is the usual weather a place has over a very long time. For example, some places are usually hot and sunny, while other places are usually cold and snowy.

In Nigeria, many places usually have hot weather and a rainy season. This is part of Nigeria’s climate.

What is Climate Change?

Climate change means that the usual weather of a place is changing. This means that places that used to be hot might become even hotter, or places that used to get a lot of rain might get less rain. Sometimes, places get too much rain, causing floods.

Climate change is when the Earth’s climate changes over a long time. This can make our world different from how it used to be.

Causes of Climate Change

Climate change happens because of some things people do. These actions make the Earth’s air get warmer.

Some causes of climate change include:

1. Burning things: When people burn rubbish, bush, or use cars and factories that produce a lot of smoke, this smoke goes into the air and makes the Earth warmer.
2. Cutting down trees: Trees help to keep the air clean and cool. When many trees are cut down, there are fewer trees to help the Earth, and the air gets warmer.
3. Pollution: Smoke from vehicles and factories, and too much waste in our environment, can also make the climate change.

Impact of Climate Change on the Environment

Climate change has many effects on our environment. These effects can make life harder for people, animals, and plants.

The impact of climate change includes:

1. Hotter weather: Days become much hotter than before, making it uncomfortable for people and animals.
2. Less rain or too much rain: Some places get very little rain, which can make the land dry and hard for plants to grow. Other places get too much rain, causing floods that can destroy homes and farms.
3. Harm to plants and animals: When the weather changes, some plants and animals find it hard to live. They might not have enough food or water, or their homes might be destroyed.
4. Dry land: When there is not enough rain, the soil becomes very dry and cracked. This makes it difficult for farmers to grow crops.

Waste Management

Waste is anything we throw away because we do not need it anymore. This includes empty plastic bottles, old papers, food leftovers, and broken items.

Managing waste means taking care of our rubbish properly so it does not harm the environment. We can manage waste by following three important steps: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Reduce

Reduce means using less of something. When we reduce, we make less waste.

Ways to reduce waste include:

1. Turning off lights and fans when leaving a room to save electricity.
2. Using less water when bathing or washing.
3. Buying only what is needed so that less food or other items are wasted.

Reuse

Reuse means using something again instead of throwing it away. This helps to save resources and reduce waste.

Ways to reuse items include:

1. Using plastic bottles to store water or other liquids.
2. Turning old clothes into cleaning rags.
3. Using old newspapers to wrap things or for craft activities.
4. Carrying a reusable bag to the market instead of taking new plastic bags each time.

Recycle

Recycle means taking old items and making them into new things. This helps to save natural resources and reduce pollution.

Items that can be recycled include:

1. Plastic bottles
2. Paper and cardboard
3. Glass bottles
4. Metal cans

Actions to Reduce the Effects of Climate Change

Everyone can do things to help reduce the effects of climate change and keep our environment healthy. These actions help to make the air cleaner and the Earth cooler.

Important actions include:

1. Planting trees: Trees help to clean the air and provide shade, making the environment cooler.
2. Managing waste properly: Following the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle steps helps to lessen pollution and keep our surroundings clean.
3. Saving energy: Turning off lights and electrical appliances when not in use helps to reduce the amount of smoke from power stations.
4. Using less water: Saving water helps to conserve this important resource.
5. Keeping our environment clean: Not littering and properly disposing of waste helps to prevent pollution.

How to Plant a Tree

Planting trees is a very good way to help the environment and reduce the effects of climate change. Trees give us fresh air and make our surroundings beautiful.

The required materials are:

1. A small tree seedling
2. A small shovel or trowel
3. Water
4. Gloves (optional)
5. An adult to supervise

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Ask an adult to help you find a good spot to plant the tree, away from buildings or pipes.
2. With the help of an adult, use the shovel to dig a hole that is wide and deep enough for the seedling’s roots.
3. Carefully take the seedling out of its container.
4. Place the seedling gently into the hole, making sure its roots are spread out.
5. Fill the hole with soil, gently pressing it around the base of the seedling.
6. Pour some water around the newly planted tree to help the soil settle and give the roots a drink.
7. Remember to water the tree regularly, especially when the weather is dry.

How to Sort Waste for Recycling

Sorting waste means putting different types of rubbish into different bins. This makes it easier to recycle them and turn them into new things.

The required materials are:

1. Three different bins or containers (e.g., buckets, cartons)
2. Waste items like empty plastic bottles, old newspapers, and empty metal cans
3. Labels for each bin (e.g., “Plastic,” “Paper,” “Metal”)

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Label each bin clearly: one for “Plastic,” one for “Paper,” and one for “Metal.”
2. Collect waste items from your home or school.
3. Look at each item and decide what it is made of.
4. Put all empty plastic bottles into the “Plastic” bin.
5. Put all old newspapers, magazines, and cardboard into the “Paper” bin.
6. Put all empty metal cans into the “Metal” bin.
7. Make sure the items are clean and dry before putting them in the bins.
8. When the bins are full, ask an adult to help take the sorted waste to a recycling centre or to the appropriate collection point.