Hello Friends,

Recently, I returned from the Canada-Wide Science Fair. This national level science contest aims to bring together the brightest youth in Canada that have done science projects in areas that concern them. I did my project in the field of climate change. My journey which started during my first term as a Tunza Ambassador finally ended with a Bronze Medal at this national level prestigious competition. Here is the story of my past years work?inspired by Tunza!

Scientific study of climate change and correlated issues has always been a passion for me. However, never before had I conducted a study on the scale I did in the past year. It all started by becoming appointed as a Tunza Eco-Generation Ambassador. This elite position and the opportunity to read and think about the reports and activities of my fellow ambassadors inspired me to take action and go further in my efforts to tackle climate change: scientific studies. And hence I started putting together a science project. This project would lead me to discover some very interesting things and lead me to acquire new skills and successes.

My project?s concept started when I read about climate modeling on the UNEP website. I followed several links and references and found myself on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) website. I read about the field of climate modelling and how mathematical models could be used to scientifically stimulate the climate system and forecast the response of the climate system to various influences: the human influence being one of the most interesting ones. And hence, I set out to explore the world of mathematical modeling. I learned calculus, computer coding and higher order analytical skills. I was able to create my own mathematical models which could show the long term after-effects of future CO2 trends.

My models allowed me obtain results which showed that high CO2 trends would produce after effects whereby the warming caused by the CO2 and the loss of ice would remain in place for over 10,000 years to come. The CO2 would produce climatic effects which would be significant over a geological time scale as shown by my set of models. These truly shocking results can be taken to show the true extent of the effect of the human influence upon climate. While the human impact may be a relatively short one, its effects upon the long term climate variation is profound.

 This project led me to win best in fair at my regional science fair and bronze at the national level contest. I would be very happy to answer any questions that any member would have. I believe that these results bare very significant in our mission to create more awareness of climate change!

Photo Courtesy: cwsf.youthscience.ca 

Photo Courtesy: cbc.ca