The Human Dilemma
Many of us have begun to wake up to realize what we have done and continue to do to our planet. But many of us are still reluctant to make the necessary changes both individually and as a society.
Throughout my short life, human nature has always been "if it doesn't affect me, why should I care". Like it or not, everyone is guilty of this attitude towards something in their lives. But it is this very human nature, that I feel may one day cause the destruction of our future.
Climate change like it or not is real, whether you believe it or not, it is coming and it is happening. However, the first people to feel it wouldn't be me, nor will it be you who is reading this; it will be people without internet, living in poverty, living day by day, those much less off compared to us.
When floods hit, we can drive a car and evacuate out of an area whereas they wouldn't see it coming until it hits them in the face. When a heatwave occurs, we have the luxury to turn on air-conditioners while they struggle to find shade outside to cool themselves.
We can litter everyday, pollute the air and waterways, but we won't feel the immediate effects. We still have the luxury of healthcare and other sources of food to sustain ourselves. But it is them who will struggle as they can barely able to put food on their tables when fish stocks disappear from their waters let alone mentioning healthcare.
You can show me all the evidences against climate change and tell me that the things being taught about climate change are just propaganda that is fueling the people who created this "catastrophe". I'd like to ask you however to do a few simple things. Go to the places where poverty is off the charts (Bangladesh as an example) (Brouwer et al., 2007). Go to the south pacific islands where communities are being displaced due to rising sea levels (Bedford & Bedford, 2010). Go to these places and ask the people living there if they think climate change is real. Easier still, google these things on the internet. Read all the headlines on all the search results (not just one) and decide for yourself if climate change is real.
Those who are feeling the pinch today do not have access to the internet let alone have a voice to be heard; but what they are feeling now are signs that show how rapidly our planet's condition is changing. By the time we feel the same pinch as they do, it will most definitely be too late for us to do anything.
Every little thing counts, from bringing your own containers for takeaways (this includes drinks as well), remembering to turn off appliances when they are unused, buying things you need rather than want (phones, clothing, shoes etc.) to reducing the consumption of meat. All of these are habits that we the public can do to help to contribute. The question now is, are we willing to change for the better?
References
Bedford, R., & Bedford, C. (2010). International migration and climate change: A post-Copenhagen perspective on options for Kiribati and Tuvalu. Climate change and migration: South Pacific perspectives, 89.
Brouwer, R., Akter, S., Brander, L., & Haque, E. (2007). Socioeconomic vulnerability and adaptation to environmental risk: a case study of climate change and flooding in Bangladesh. Risk Analysis: An International Journal, 27(2), 313-326.
Throughout my short life, human nature has always been "if it doesn't affect me, why should I care". Like it or not, everyone is guilty of this attitude towards something in their lives. But it is this very human nature, that I feel may one day cause the destruction of our future.
Climate change like it or not is real, whether you believe it or not, it is coming and it is happening. However, the first people to feel it wouldn't be me, nor will it be you who is reading this; it will be people without internet, living in poverty, living day by day, those much less off compared to us.
When floods hit, we can drive a car and evacuate out of an area whereas they wouldn't see it coming until it hits them in the face. When a heatwave occurs, we have the luxury to turn on air-conditioners while they struggle to find shade outside to cool themselves.
We can litter everyday, pollute the air and waterways, but we won't feel the immediate effects. We still have the luxury of healthcare and other sources of food to sustain ourselves. But it is them who will struggle as they can barely able to put food on their tables when fish stocks disappear from their waters let alone mentioning healthcare.
You can show me all the evidences against climate change and tell me that the things being taught about climate change are just propaganda that is fueling the people who created this "catastrophe". I'd like to ask you however to do a few simple things. Go to the places where poverty is off the charts (Bangladesh as an example) (Brouwer et al., 2007). Go to the south pacific islands where communities are being displaced due to rising sea levels (Bedford & Bedford, 2010). Go to these places and ask the people living there if they think climate change is real. Easier still, google these things on the internet. Read all the headlines on all the search results (not just one) and decide for yourself if climate change is real.
Those who are feeling the pinch today do not have access to the internet let alone have a voice to be heard; but what they are feeling now are signs that show how rapidly our planet's condition is changing. By the time we feel the same pinch as they do, it will most definitely be too late for us to do anything.
Every little thing counts, from bringing your own containers for takeaways (this includes drinks as well), remembering to turn off appliances when they are unused, buying things you need rather than want (phones, clothing, shoes etc.) to reducing the consumption of meat. All of these are habits that we the public can do to help to contribute. The question now is, are we willing to change for the better?
References
Bedford, R., & Bedford, C. (2010). International migration and climate change: A post-Copenhagen perspective on options for Kiribati and Tuvalu. Climate change and migration: South Pacific perspectives, 89.
Brouwer, R., Akter, S., Brander, L., & Haque, E. (2007). Socioeconomic vulnerability and adaptation to environmental risk: a case study of climate change and flooding in Bangladesh. Risk Analysis: An International Journal, 27(2), 313-326.
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