Climate: Actions Essay

Dear Reader,

It is May of 2016 and these days, our changing climate is causing several issues our generation is concerned about, such as, economic loss, changing landscapes, air pollution, heat and water related illnesses, extreme events, vector-borne diseases, mental health issues, and food safety and nutrition concerns. The United Nations (1), as well as several advocates, have come up with lists of actions for people of this time can take that will hopefully reduce the speed of climate change, as it is such a concern for us.

Our health is at risk with the changing climate at this time. Global Change's Health 2016 (2) refers to climate change affecting our health, "creates unprecedented or unanticipated health problems or health threats in places where they haven't previously occurred". We feel that by conserving energy, keeping your engines tuned properly, composting, using environment safe products, and using gas logs versus wood, we can reduce air pollution, improve air quality, which will hopefully reduce health issues caused by our changing climate. Steps  to be mindful of with rising temperatures and heat related illnesses include, drinking lots of water, replacing salts and minerals, wearing sunscreen and appropriate clothing, scheduling outside activities consciously, pacing yourself, monitoring of those at risk, and being mindful of the situation. Vector-borne diseases are becoming more prevalent for us with rising temperatures and unclean water. Actions being taken against these diseases, mentioned by The World Health Organization (3), are use of vaccines, informing others of diseases and how to treat them, training and technical support, having the tools and technology needed, and overall, knowledge of the diseases.

According to The Nature Conservancy (4), Green Balance (5), and the United Nations (1), some actions our community can and should take to help our climate, include: buy goods that use light packaging, reduce energy consumption, reuse, recycle, fix air leaks to increase energy efficiency, adjust thermostats according to the temperature outside, use energy efficient appliances, use power strips so they can be turned off when not in use, avoid using hot water for washing machines and dishwashers, improve city layout, improve public transport and rail freight, use of electric vehicles and renewable energies (biofuel, wind turbines, solar heat panels, solar photovoltaic panels, and geothermal energy), store CO2 underground, develop nuclear energy, eating less meat, poultry, and fish, plant trees, reduce printing usage, use reusable utensils, limit travel, reduce carbon footprint by walking or biking versus driving, and plenty others.

Our concerns in 2016 have a large range, one of which is mentioned by The Nature Conservancy (4) which says, "with rapid climate change, one-fourth of the Earth's species could be headed for extinction by 2050". Hearing that is scary to me because that means that some animals I have known of my whole life may not even be here by the time you're reading this. One-fourth of the Earth's species is a very high amount, so it is important for us to be conscious of our climate and how it is changing so that you will be able to enjoy the species we have now in 2016. Global Change's Health 2016 (2) also says, "with climate change, the frequency, severity, duration, and location of weather and climate phenomena--like rising temperatures, heavy rains and droughts, and some other kinds of severe weather--are changing".

Although there are endless ways for us to help avoid and reverse climate change, the biggest is to make others aware of what is happening so that by the time you are reading this letter, you will be able to experience a better climate than we are today. The only way to make a difference is if everyone is involved in making a positive change. Being aware, able to adapt, thinking green, and spreading the word about changing climate are the most important actions to take against it. If everyone steps up and is committed to making a difference, we have a chance to have a better climate in our future, your present, and preserving wildlife for your generation.

Footnotes: 

1. The United Nations' website which lists actions to take, advised by the UN, to limit climate change.
2. Global Change's Health 2016- a United States Global Change Research Program which gives a climate and health assessment in a report
3. The World Health Organization- a global organization dedicated to the health of others
4. The Nature Conservancy- "the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people."
5. Green Balance- an informal advocate association created by two individuals concerned about the climate.

Sources Used for Background Knowledge and My Understanding:

• http://www.greenbalance.org/global_warming_climate_change/action.htm
• http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/help/
• http://www.un.org/climatechange/towards-a-climate-agreement/
• http://www.un.org/climatechange/take-action/
• https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/
• https://health2016.globalchange.gov/
• http://www.globalchange.gov/engage
• https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts/health.html#impactsreducedair
• https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/reducepollution.html
• https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/adaptation/overview.html
• http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide-page-2.asp
• http://www.c2es.org/publications/extreme-weather-and-climate-change
• http://www.wpro.who.int/mvp/climate_change/who_response/en/
• http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs387/en/

Climate Research

http://www.greenbalance.org/global_warming_climate_change/action.htm

http://www.un.org/climatechange/towards-a-climate-agreement/ http://www.un.org/climatechange/take-action/

So far in my research, I have found several lists of actions to take to avoid climate change as well as what to do about the change in climate. I still want to know why climate change needs actions to be taken on its behalf and if all climate change is necessarily bad or not. The UN has made a list of actions to be taken to avoid climate change in several different areas. Global warming was brought up on the Green Balance website as an issue of climate change, as well as how to handle it. 

I would like to find out more background on climate change and why it is a negative, in order to connect it to the actions being taken. The sources I've used show actions that can be taken on several different levels of the community.

Climate Research Option

I am most interested in the Action or Concern section because it would be most useful for the future.

Climate Questions

abbie
abby
alexa
sarah margaret
patrick

Are humans to blame for the drastic changes in the climate?
Is climate predictable?
Who is to "blame" those who created climate issues, or those stood by?
How will global warming affect us in the future?
What will the long term effects of climate/climate change be?

Climate

Sahara
Weather
Tundra
Humidity
Arctic

These words came to mind because in one of my elementary school classes, there was a poster on the wall with the climate zones and tundra, sahara, and arctic came to mind. When I think of climate, I also think of the weather which caused me to think humidity.

Are animals or humans more affected by climate change?

The New Era: Modernism vs. Traditionalism

The 1920s, also known as the New Era, was a time of transition from traditional to modern. While some embraced the change, others resisted, and some even fought to hold on to traditional values. The economy, culture, religion, and nativism all experienced the incorporation of modernistic ideas. The biggest conflict in the 1920s was modernism versus traditionalism.

The economy of the 1920 was full of great improvements with little objection. The working conditions improved, women were finally allowed to have jobs outside the house, and people began to have access to more luxuries and "wants" rather than only essentials or "needs", because of the new technologies and inventions. Although women were not yet considered equal to men, they were allowed to work in "feminine fields". Most married women continued to work at home, but women who chose to work, were part of the working class. The New Era introduced radios, home appliances, automobiles, cars, as well as several other luxury items.

One of the most distinctive developments of this era was introduced as the Youth Culture. Teenagers gained their own title because it is a vital time in one's life. The importance of education increased tremendously. The "Lost Generation" was composed of artists and intellectuals who disliked America's obsession with material success. Literature and art became prominent having some of the most renowned authors of all time, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, along with others.

Religion began to play into other views such as modernism and traditionalism. Traditionalists became known as Religious Fundamentalists. They disliked the change and abandonment of traditions the modernists promoted. Women began to be examples of this as well by the introduction a new standard. Flappers, shorter dresses, drinking, smoking, and partying all became part of women's culture. Some chose to embrace the change while others stuck to their traditional roles.

Some took the preservation of culture and traditions to extremes, one group in particular, the Ku Klux Klan. Their goal was to keep America pure and traditional by eliminating what they felt were alien influences: Catholics, blacks, Jews, and foreigners. Their focus after the Klan's revival shifted from blacks to Catholics, Jews, foreigners, as well as anyone who challenged traditional values, white Protestants guilty of irreligion, sexual promiscuity, or drunkenness. The Klan eventually declined shortly after 1925. On the other end of the spectrum, African Americans introduced jazz music and created the Harlem Renaissance with the goal to preserve and share their racial heritage.

The 1920s was full of significant aspects, change, and conflicting ideas. Despite the traditionalists persistently resisted change, this era is known for its racy and modernistic ideas.

1930s Radio: Advertising

The radio business began airing advertisements during the time of the Great Depression due to the need for job opportunities. Several businesses who utilized the radio for advertising were: Camel cigarettes, General Mills, General Motors Corp, General Food Corp., Oscar Meyer, along with lots of others. Pretty much any and every type of business used the radio to advertise. More options began to be available, and with that came ratings. The early 30s were mainly advertising products and companies, but by the late 30s, the radio began advertising entertainment, scandals, and sports. Even TV shows began advertising on the radio for upcoming episodes. Several products that were consistently advertised were: soap, jello, over the counter medications.

1930s Radio Ads

Radio ad replays