Author: Ellaha S.

Since 1948, average temperatures in Canada have been increasing by 1.7 degrees celsius. There will be more rain, and sea levels will rise. Warm water will become increasingly noticeable over the next century. 

According to Natural Resources Canada, more than 95 percent of the sea ice will be gone by 2100. Areas of permafrost (frozen ground) are thawing, which causes ice roads to melt and disappear, making it unsafe to walk on. These grounds have been frozen for over 10,000 years and its melting is causing polar bears to lose their homes and migrate closer to cities and towns. 

By 2040, most of southern Ontario’s maximum temperatures will escalate to 44 degrees celsius. The current average days of above 30-degree weather are 16 days per year. However, by 2100 that number will increase to 77 hot days a year. This will cause more freezing rain and more thunderstorms. 

What can you do?

These are some of the many things you, Forest Hill students can do to help the environment. 

• Try not to print as much; if possible submit assignments, projects, and homework online. If you need to print something, print it double-sided to save more paper. 
• Use G.O.O.S paper; paper that is good on one side. You can use G.O.O.S paper for many tasks such as solving math problems, or taking quick notes.
• Recycle; things like paper, cans, juice boxes (without straws, because straws are garbage) anything metal, anything glass, and milk cartons (empty). 
• Use metal, glass or other types of reusable water bottles. Try to stay away from plastic water bottles.
• Save water; turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth. When washing the dishes, save water by scrubbing all the dishes first then washing all of them one after the other. Do not over fill your glass when getting water. Fill up your glass a little bit, and add more you’re still thirsty. This way, the amount of water being wasted and disposed is being reduced.  
• Ask your parent(s) or guardian(s) to use reusable grocery/shopping bags. 
• Go to a local park or walking trail with gloves and garbage bags and pick up garbage. It may seem pointless, but every small action helps the environment!