• BBC News - "A really simple guide to climate change." Climate change now threatens every aspect of human life and left unchecked catastrophic warming will lead to worsening droughts, rising sea levels and mass extinction of species; a huge challenge but there are potential solutions.

• Job One for Humanity - "Today's Most Important Climate Change Facts and what they mean for your near future; Global warming is not a 'future problem.' It's a right-now systems problem."

• NASA - "The Effects of Climate Change. The effects of human-caused global warming are happening now, are irreversible on the timescale of people alive today, and will worsen in the decades to come."

The science is quite clear but the main problem is people, particularly those in the higher reaches of government, who can't or don't want to accept that the climate emergency really is an emergency. But people in high places will listen if the others below shout loudly enough and that in itself is a people problem. Drastic measures to mitigate and actually adapt to climate change are necessary but they will be ineffective unless people accept and benefit from unavoidable lifestyle changes and are constructively involved in weighty decisions and challenges to come.

So where do we go from here? Optimism? Pessimism? Business as usual? Wake up and act! - but how? Any answers? Contact us please! We'll try to wake up too!

Climate Change and the Environment - what can be done?

• Greenpeace - "A green and peaceful future is our quest. Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. Around the globe, we are standing up for our communities, and we are holding governments and corporations accountable."

• 350.org - "We fight climate change, for people and the planet. 350 is a global, people-led movement pushing to end fossil fuels and power up clean, safe and affordable energy for all."

• Earthday.org - "Earth Day Network has been mobilizing over 1 billion people annually on Earth Day, and every other day, to protect the planet."

• Extinction Rebellion (XR) - "Decentralised, international and politically non-partisan movement using non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to persuade governments to act justly on the Climate and Ecological Emergency."

• Fridays for Future - "We are fighting for our future and our lives because they are directly threatened by the climate crisis and the ecological breakdown."

It's not too difficult to decide on practical actions that fit in with your own circumstances but putting them into practice is more of a problem, involving your inner feelings as well as rational thought.

  Young People with the right ideas!

For example, approaching vegetarianism by gradually cutting down on meat or using public transport more and more and your car less and less. Even switching off lights when not in use can make some difference and why not buy local organic produce rather than having food flown in from abroad? Maybe the greatest difference you can make will be by example. Explaining your reasons to friends, relatives, teachers, co-workers, casual acquaintainces, anyone, can motivate others - but be diplomatic!

• Yale Climate Connections - "It's easy to take climate action. Find the solutions that work best in your life. You grow your impact when you get your neighbors, friends, and family on board too."

• EcoWatch - What Is Slow Living? "In many ways, slow living fights against the concepts of capitalism and consumerism that drive waste and overconsumption."

• Happy Eco News - "Women Leading Climate Action: Lessons from the Global South; across the Global South, women are already leading some of the most practical and effective responses to climate change."

• BBC News - "Six ways to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather; when temperatures soar, there are a number of simple things you can do to help keep your home and yourself cool."

• Earth911 - "How To Grow Lots of Veggies in Small Spaces; here are some helpful tactics that can help you cultivate produce in a backyard plot or containers by the door."

• The Revelator - "Dr. Green: How to Stay Environmentally Active at Any Age; navigating the journey through life means stopping sometimes to reflect upon where we've been - and where we go next."

See also Portal Room 9: ACTION! What can be done and how to do it