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Every year, the British Council organises an English-language writing competition

for Thai teens to express their views on a variety of issues. This year’s topic was

‘Climate Change’. The competition was divided into two age groups: 13-15 and

16-19-year-olds. Here are the winning entries from both groups. Read on, you will be inspired.

Winner: 13-15 Age Group CHOTE JINDARATANACHOLKIJ, 15, Grade 10, Assumption College

THE AUTOMOBILE SOLUTION

   Climate describes the type and changes of weather occurring over a period of years in any given place.

Climate tells us what it’s usually like in the place where you live. The Earth’s climate has been changing

constantly over its 5- billion-year history, but these days our Earth is facing a serious problem: global

warming.

   Humans cause global warming. Whenever we ride in a car, watch TV or use an air conditioner,

we are helping to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The electricity that we use comes

from coal and oil burning power plants, which produce these greenhouse gases. When these greenhouse

gases collect in the atmosphere, they trap heat and the Earth becomes warmer. The Earth’s temperature

has increased by an average of 1 degree Fahrenheit over the past 100 years.

   The number of cars is increasing every day, causing more traffic jams and greater amounts of carbon

monoxide, one of main greenhouse gases, to be released into the atmosphere, which add to the

greenhouse effect. The more cars there are, the warmer the Earth will become. What’s even more worrying

is that these gases remain in the atmosphere for hundreds of years.

   It is difficult to solve such a serious problem but I believe there are three major things our

government should do to reduce the amount of cars and therefore the amount of greenhouse

gases. Firstly, it should create a law that requires car buyers to get permission from the government

that will make its decision based on the number of people in the family. This will make it easier to control

the number of cars on our roads and therefore reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they produce.

Secondly, all old cars that are out of condition should be destroyed as they produce much more pollution

and greenhouse gases than new cars. Thirdly, the Ministry of Transportation should improve the quality

of public transport, especially buses, which produce as much pollution as old cars. The government should

encourage people to use public transport such as the BTS or MRT instead of private cars.

   Climate change and global warming are caused by our daily activities. We human beings can help solve

this problem if we use public transport instead of private cars. This will help to preserve the atmosphere

and protect the ozone layer that’s left.