Little People Big Changes We learn and share information about issues affecting the world…and We learn and share information about issues affecting the world…and We take action to try to make the world a better place. We take action to try to make the world a better place. We founded Little People, Big Changes along with our moms; over fifty kids in Wilton and beyond join us to help in our campaigns. We founded Little People, Big Changes along with our moms; over fifty kids in Wilton and beyond join us to help in our campaigns.

What is Global Warming? The earth’s atmosphere is like a blanket that keeps the world warm. The earth’s atmosphere is like a blanket that keeps the world warm. Too much CO 2 (carbon dioxide) makes the blanket thicker and traps the sun’s heat. Too much CO 2 (carbon dioxide) makes the blanket thicker and traps the sun’s heat. CO 2 comes from burning fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gasoline to run cars, factories and heat homes, schools and offices. CO 2 comes from burning fossil fuels like oil, coal, and gasoline to run cars, factories and heat homes, schools and offices.

We Have To Act Now! If people don't change how we use energy, within 50 years many of the effects of climate change will have happened! If people don't change how we use energy, within 50 years many of the effects of climate change will have happened! Since it is kids who will be most affected, it is we who can make the biggest difference. Since it is kids who will be most affected, it is we who can make the biggest difference. We have to do something! We can't just sit on our butts! We have to do something! We can't just sit on our butts!

Will this stop global warming?

We’ve Made Some Changes… We already know about global warming… We already know about global warming… We’ve changed our light bulbs… We’ve changed our light bulbs… We drive less… We drive less… We re-use grocery bags… We re-use grocery bags… We recycle glass and plastic… We recycle glass and plastic… Well that’s a great start but it’s not enough!!

…We Need to Do More! Back in 2001, New England governors promised to reduce carbon emissions, but we haven’t yet met that goal.¹ Back in 2001, New England governors promised to reduce carbon emissions, but we haven’t yet met that goal.¹ Global warming emissions in New England actually increased by 10.9% between 1990 to 2005.² Global warming emissions in New England actually increased by 10.9% between 1990 to 2005.² Transportation is responsible for the biggest increase emissions since people are driving more in bigger cars, such as SUVs. Transportation is responsible for the biggest increase emissions since people are driving more in bigger cars, such as SUVs.

Carbon Levels are Increasing Carbon released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuel increased from 7 billion tons in 2000 to 8.4 billion tons in 2006.³ Carbon released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuel increased from 7 billion tons in 2000 to 8.4 billion tons in 2006.³ This was almost exactly the number that was their “worst case” projection for that year. This was almost exactly the number that was their “worst case” projection for that year.

In his talk at the Wilton Library, Jay Inslee (a Congressman from Washington State) said that out of 2,800 questions asked to presidential candidates in 2007– only three were about climate change – the same number of questions as there were about UFOs. Not Enough People Think Climate Change Is Important…

Climate Change is Happening Now! Arctic sea ice is melting faster than originally expected, and sea levels are rising faster than predicted. Arctic sea ice is melting faster than originally expected, and sea levels are rising faster than predicted. Do you know how on a hot day a white T shirt keeps you cool and a black T shirt makes you hot? That’s because white reflects light, while black absorbs it. Do you know how on a hot day a white T shirt keeps you cool and a black T shirt makes you hot? That’s because white reflects light, while black absorbs it. White ice reflect the sun’s rays back into space, but darker water absorbs more of the sun’s heat, so the problem just gets even worse as ice melts. White ice reflect the sun’s rays back into space, but darker water absorbs more of the sun’s heat, so the problem just gets even worse as ice melts.

Climate Change is Happening Now! 2007 was a record year for Arctic melting. As a result of ice melting, 6,000 walruses came on shore in Alaska in October 2007, the first time in history. A NASA climate scientist said, “At this rate, the Arctic Ocean could be nearly ice free by 2012, much faster than previous predictions.” 6 A NASA climate scientist said, “At this rate, the Arctic Ocean could be nearly ice free by 2012, much faster than previous predictions.” 6

Maple sugaring season – when farmers tap their maple trees for sap and boil it into syrup and candy – is getting earlier. Maple sugaring season – when farmers tap their maple trees for sap and boil it into syrup and candy – is getting earlier. This year, maple tapping weekend is March This year, maple tapping weekend is March It has moved up one week in the last 30 years. It has moved up one week in the last 30 years. By 2080, experts think it will move up to the end of January. By 2080, experts think it will move up to the end of January. Climate Change is Happening Now!

Earlier springs, earlier snow-melts and drought contributed to more and longer burning forest fires. Earlier springs, earlier snow-melts and drought contributed to more and longer burning forest fires. In 2003, about 5 million acres burned in the U.S.; in 2006, almost 10 million acres burned. In 2003, about 5 million acres burned in the U.S.; in 2006, almost 10 million acres burned. Since wildfires also release carbon dioxide, this makes the problem even worse. Since wildfires also release carbon dioxide, this makes the problem even worse.

What More Can We Do? Remember that every single thing you do and buy takes energy; think what you can do to reduce, reuse, and recycle to save energy. Remember that every single thing you do and buy takes energy; think what you can do to reduce, reuse, and recycle to save energy. Talk to your neighbors, your friends, and everyone you know about ways that they can reduce their carbon emissions. Talk to your neighbors, your friends, and everyone you know about ways that they can reduce their carbon emissions. Some of our ideas include… Some of our ideas include…

Don’t Idle Your Car When you idle your car for ten seconds or more, it uses more gas than it takes to turn your car off and then on again. When you idle your car for ten seconds or more, it uses more gas than it takes to turn your car off and then on again. Tell everyone you know... Tell everyone you know... If you’re stopped for more than ten, turn it off and on again! ^ seconds

Sign up for Clean Energy You don’t have to have a windmill by your house to use wind energy! You don’t have to have a windmill by your house to use wind energy! Anyone who is a CL&P or UI customer can choose to have their electricity from clean energy just by signing up for the Connecticut Clean Energy Option. Anyone who is a CL&P or UI customer can choose to have their electricity from clean energy just by signing up for the Connecticut Clean Energy Option. Once you sign up, your electricity supplier will purchase the energy for your home from wind or low impact hydro, which essentially wipes out your electric bill’s carbon footprint! Once you sign up, your electricity supplier will purchase the energy for your home from wind or low impact hydro, which essentially wipes out your electric bill’s carbon footprint!

Clean Energy SourcesTraditional Fossil Fuels

For every 100 sign-ups, the Town of Wilton will qualify for a free solar panel system (worth $20,000) to go on a public building (like a school, town hall, or firehouse). For every 100 sign-ups, the Town of Wilton will qualify for a free solar panel system (worth $20,000) to go on a public building (like a school, town hall, or firehouse). Signing up only takes a few seconds! Go to our website at Signing up only takes a few seconds! Go to our website at Wilton Wins if You Sign Up For Clean Energy…

Eat Natural, Locally Grown Foods The “carbon footprint” of food includes the energy required to manufacture, package and transport it. On average, food travels 1500 miles before arriving at your table. 9 The “carbon footprint” of food includes the energy required to manufacture, package and transport it. On average, food travels 1500 miles before arriving at your table. 9 BONUS! Eating locally grown, whole foods is healthier for your body and encourages organic farming practices which is better for the land and more “sustainable”. BONUS! Eating locally grown, whole foods is healthier for your body and encourages organic farming practices which is better for the land and more “sustainable”.

Thank you!

Our Sources 1. New England Climate Coalition, Report: “Falling Behind: New England Must Act Now to Reduce Global Warming Pollution” by Environment Connecticut and Clean Water Action. 3. United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, October Alan Robock, Center for Environmental Prediction at Rutgers University, Associated Press/Federal Marine Mammal Commission, October Jay Zwally, NASA, December Cornell University Chronicle March National Interagency Fire Center Omnivore’s Dilemma