In my own view, writing about social and environmental justice is futile unless authors make an effort to provide creative and constructive solutions that can be adopted by readers. Karl Marx (CITE) once said that “the philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it.” By offering such strategies in this chapter, we move one step closer to making climate change adaptation a reality. So far, this study has contributed to the examination of climate change in a myriad of ways. First, the argument is made that climate change must be regarded as an issue of social justice if it is to gain any traction as a social movement. Next, we reviewed the current state of governmental and environmental action within Alberta. …show more content…
First, we can deal with climate change through adaptation and mitigation strategies before it spirals out of control– or instead, we can continue to communicate about the issue in the same old ways, deferring its impacts until we reach a point where runaway climate change will become too severe and can no longer be overlooked. This is a social justice issue that boils down to the simple ‘frog in the hot water’ scenario. At the moment, we find ourselves at the tipping point where policies enacted today have the ability to make or break the future climate. Without taking action, we will have to be prepared to witness more of what happened in Fort McMurray? The problem is that a future that is both environmentally and socially just cannot be achieved by approaching environmental issues with the same set of problem solving strategies. Only when the mainstream media acquiesce to the demands for democratic modes coverage can the environmental movement be successfully communicated to the …show more content…
Hence, both political pragmatism and normative arguments suggests, “the future world is unavoidably dependent on the degree to which the public is engaged on the issue of climate change” (Moser 2008; see also Halpern and Bates 2004). In a newspaper like the Calgary Herald, a paper that does not offer a decentralized public-sphere or democratic participation; readers do not receive exposure to the diverse perspectives that foster mutual learning and reflexivity on the issue of climate change (Lorenzoni et al., 2007, p. 67). Therefore, the amount of the Herald’s pro-industry frames will likely warp a reader’s understanding of climate change. Arguably, Calgary is not being served by a trustworthy media source when the paper inhibits participants from shaping and supporting the issue as well as making their voices and values heard (Moser p.169). Advocates for a post-carbon future are left to fight against well-funded politicians who lobby for the interest of big oil and the general economic and social status quo. As has been uncovered through the critical discourse analysis, pro-environment frames do not resonate with the ideologies and values embraced by the Herald and the vast majority of Albertans. Resultantly, the Herald acting as gatekeepers shut out coverage and the success of their backgrounding and omitting tactics must not be
It is apparent that over several centuries, Aboriginals have developed a close spiritual connection with the land. Unfortunately, Bill C-45 “…attacks the land base reserved for Indigenous people, removes protection for hundreds of waterways and weaken[s] Canada’s environmental laws” (Caven, 2014). In essence, this legislation sees the vulnerable waterways that Aboriginal individuals rely on furthermore, feel united with, and are left exposed to potential contamination. As such, they have become deeply in tune with the environment, thus truly...
The two essays by Michael Pollan and Curtis white talk about climate change in regards to the relationship between the environment and human beings. Although the two essays share the same topic, they take the subject and engage the readers in totally different points of views. Pollan’s essay talks about global and ecological responsibility being a personal virtue while Curtis discusses the socio-economic or political issues underlying sustainability (Pollan; White). These two essays are very different in terms of voice; however these pieces of writing are both important for people all over the world to read. Climate change and environmental disasters are a real issue. Just this year, there have been more storms, cyclones, earthquakes and typhoons all over the world. One cannot look at the state of many developing counties where the majority of the population is exposed and vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This issue on developing a viable solution for the problem of anthropogenic gases and global warming is long from being found. Not only this, many people do not want to hear about this issue since they do not think it is real. Unless people have tangible proof that their cars, thermostats and aerosol cans are contributing to climate change, they are not going to give up their lifestyles. By synthesizing the two essays, one can see that there is a need for change and that it is not an issue which should be dealt with in terms of ecological factors or even personal virtue. The social, economic and political factors affecting this problem and the move towards real sustainability should also be a topic that will raise awareness.
It is obvious from the tone of this report that Michael Pollan really wants to stop climate change; he just doesn’t know how to make a lasting effect. Even so, he never ceases to pull at the readers’ heartstrings. The author does a great job at coercing the readers to jump on board; the only problem is there is no destination in mind. So, instead of inciting his readers to act out against this problem, Pollan leaves them dumbfounded and uncertain on how to
Ehrlich, P. R., & Ehrlich, A. H. (1996). Betrayal of science and reason: How anti-environmental rhetoric threatens our future. Washington, D.C: Island Press.
Today’s mainstream media has a deep influence on numerous aspects of economical and social life, it provides information and data almost on everything that happens on our planet. Mainstream media became one of the most important and influential instruments in our society, as the news stories reach a large numbers of people in a short time. Different people are using mainstream media as a first source of information; humans need the information, which is why there is a great deal of trust on media. We follow the news because it is our duty as citizens to be informed; it gives us the facts that help us make the right decisions and also gives us something to talk about. The media has a great public responsibility in front of their audience; therefore, they are expected to provide information that is accurate, reliable and free from bias. It is essential that the public is truly informed about the controversial topics on environmental issues, like DDT and GMOs. Media informs the public with regard to science and technology, which further impacts policy making within the society. The drawback with today’s mainstream media is that it tends to provide information that is far from what is happening in the real world. Current news media misrepresent some news report in order to gain attention and they omit the most important news from television, newspapers or radio that the public deserves to know. The articles “Environmentalism for the 21st Century” by Dr. Patrick Moore, “Rachel Carson’s Environmental Genocide” by Lisa Makson, “Lawrence Solomon: For global warming believers, 2013 was the year from Hell” by Lawrance Solomon and “Global warming at work: how climate change affects the economy and labour” by Raveena Aulakh will be discussed ...
There is a call to action here, as at the end of the chapter, he discusses another crucial element that we face: time. Within chapter two (“Breaking the Spell”) of Malm’s argumentative book, he explores the central question of why, despite the growing awareness of the urgency of climate change, society seems to be paralyzed in the face of it. His primary warrant in this chapter is that the current strategies and tactics employed by the environmental movement are inadequate in the face of the urgency of climate change, arguing that to effectively combat it, drastic action is needed.1 Malm begins by criticizing peaceful protests and civil disobedience, arguing that they have not produced meaningful change in the fossil fuel industry. He believes these tactics are too mild and ineffective against powerful corporate interests, highlighting the failure of peaceful protests. A prime example of this was seen when Malm discussed the Keystone XL Pipeline protests.
Climate change has the potential to devastate millions in Australia. Rising temperatures will impact the landscape of Australia by decreasing Australia's forests. Australia is going to have to spend billions of dollars to make sure their safety from climate change. The people in Australia will need to be strong and flexible to make it through this tough time they're going through, and Australia will have to find a way to fix this problem before it's too late. Climate change is something that will affect the entire world and it's not an issue to take lightly. Australia’s solutions are not simple at all and in order for them to work everyone will have to work together. Climate change in Australia will impact the environment, the economy, and the lives of Australians, an example of a solution is to cut down on carbon emissions.
How would you like to live in a home that is beginning to fall apart, but only to go on about your day and continue to neglect it until it all comes crashing down? Humans and animals share this beautiful planet that we call home. But this beautiful home of ours is being regularly and increasingly torn apart by our own ignorant actions. These actions of ours have begun to unravel the very world in which we live, causing a self-inflicted crisis known as Global Climate Change. Global Climate Change is a severe dilemma, and it is continuously becoming more evident to the world’s population that climate change is being caused by changes in the reflectivity of earth’s atmosphere and surface, the ever changing variations of energy from the sun reaching the earth, and the daunting increase in greenhouse gasses.
In recent years, artists have taken to visually express their concern for the planet through environmental art (Doyle, 2011; Gauntlett, 2011; Wells, 2011). Several environmental groups take part in public art projects as a way to illustrate pressing environmental concerns. Activist art also has a place in pop culture by combining constructed visuals and text to uphold ideological themes and lately multimodal expression and public engagement expands to a variety of digital platforms too. They encourage creative expression from interested supporters, not just artists to foster caring for the environment that is both localized and personalized. What follows is a sample of art expressing environmental concerns, especially climate change.
The mass media plays an enormous role in influencing the public. In the age of globalization many technologies like Internet, television, newspapers, magazines, radio and so on, make news available and accessible for everyone around the world. The media can easily get any information out there to the public regarding any subject such as political views, health issues, entertainment, education, human tragedies…and those information do have an impact on our everyday life decisions, opinions and raise our awareness on a subject. The media is most of the time the only way people can get information on subject that they cannot fully understand such as science. Because “science is an encoded form of knowledge that requires translation in order to be understood” (Ungar 2000), many studies have shown that the media plays a very crucial role in raising people understanding of the scientific world and the environmental issues, especially the climate change and global warming. Climate change has become an important issue today and people need to understand how serious it is in order to take actions to prevent it from getting worse; and the only way the information can get to the public is via the mass media. Today global warming is raising many concerns and the media coverage is increasing but yet many scientists complain about the limited coverage of the subject because it seems that it is not enough compared to the gravity of the situation. Because of the lack of information, many people are still very skeptical and some are just very confused about the global warming and how it affect our atmosphere.
For these reasons, global warming stands as one of the most daunting policy issues facing our world today. This is compounded by the debate over the very existence of climate change. While countless sources of empirical evidence testify to the very real presence of climate change the world over, considerable denial of the phenomenon still exists. The argument has been made that evidence about climate change is a gross overstatement, or in some cases, a complete fabrication. Despite the evidence to the contrary, many interest groups with considerable political clout have successfully perpetuated the argument that documented changes in the environment are a product of natural cyclical changes in climate, and are not associated with human activities. However, even the acceptance of this particular brand of reality is no grounds for the disregard of environmental consciousness. Even if one accepts the premise that recent climate change is not resultant of human activity, the rationale behind environmental conservation remains ...
The first part of this essay discusses what the human species has done to deal with the problem of climate change. While some improvements have been made, the problem has not been addressed aggressively enough to stop the damage. What is amazing about this is the denial of so many people that problems exist. If they do realize the risks, they are simply not taking actions to contain the damage.
However, institutionalism failure can be seen with the same example of fracking. In the United States, public opposition to fracking exists, but is countered strongly by citizens who are paid millions of dollars by oil companies to drill on their land (Heinberg, 73). Institutionalism alone faces many obstacles which cannot be overcome without public support and therefore is not a viable solution to solve the climate change
Foreseeing the ill impact of climate change on the lives of the future generation, the North calls for immediate action to slow down the speed towards serious global warming. However, considering those greenhouse gas emissions as a byproduct of development, the South calls for enough emission right to sustain their development. Besides that, the historical records of emission are different so that climate justice faces another challenge concerning the
We must change our ways and start to better our mother earth, the only planet we have to thrive on. Not only do we need to start changing our ways, we need to educate each other, our community, and this world. The only way we are able to do this is by reducing our carbon footprint and speaking out about the problem at hand. In accordance with the article “Why Climate Change is an Education Issue” written by Felipe Calderon, only about 60% of people in my time know about climate change and only 3 out of 10 individuals feel it will affect them. Despite how these individuals feel it will definitely affect everyone, climate