Blogs
A simulation that relates to our community is an ecological footprint because with the graph it displayed, the person can visualize which areas they need to reduce in such as transportation. Another simulation that can be accounted for is that all our actions have a consequence whether that be economical or environmental. I don’t think any of these simulations are irrelevant to our context. These situations make us more aware of how our daily life is impacting climate change. If we can reduce our ecological footprint by even a little bit, it would be a step in the right direction to combating climate change. For example, if everyone tried to use methods of transportation other than driving, taking the bus or walking, every day, that could drastically decrease the amount of pollution created. The presidential simulation also made us aware of how difficult it is to meet you goals in regards of climate change , while maintaining a strong economy and a good relationship with the citizens of said country. we have realized that the aspects that we think are positive don’t necessarily coincide with our country’s economy. We also acknowledge the fact that even though it seems easy to reduce our ecological footprint, it is in fact quite difficult because many of them are part of our needs and wants. A lot of these activities have been engraved into our daily activities.
Post comment
7 Comment(s)
I find this very interesting but is the footprint your community is leaving healthy for our planet.
I agree with you. It does start with us. Just a little change in our daily lives can result in going the right way for climate change. Like you said, walking instead of driving or taking the bus can result in less polluted air. It only takes one step for a change to occur. And with one person making a change, hopefully other people will follow and continue to help with that change.
"We have realized that the aspects that we think are positive don't necessarily coincide with our country's economy."
This is a critical observation. Does this have to be the case?
For example, an economy might be strongly driven by fossil fuel industries, such as coal power generation (which, in turn, creates demand for coal mining, and often gets government support in the form of subsidies or tax breaks). But with the right policies - as subtle as cutting off the subsidies, or as heavy-handed as nationalizing the mines and ceasing operations - the economy can change how much it depends on that industry.
We're seeing shades of this with Alberta's new government, which is taking steps to phase out coal to the point of zero pollution by 2030 (well ahead of Canada's national 50-year timeline).
Curiously, this does not need to look like a hit to the economy, if you look at the entire system. Coal, famously, emits lots of other pollutants besides carbon, many of which are connected to serious health problems. If coal is phased out, those problems decrease - and the amount we spend (as a province) on health care will also decrease. It's estimated that coal produces $14 million in revenue for the province directly from royalties, but costs the government $300 million in health costs alone.
Can you think of other interactions that a change like this can cause? Are positive changes in your simulation necessarily bad for the economy?
I agree. I think that everyone needs to make changes to their everyday lives, as well as sacrificing certain unnecessary things.
Yeah the simulation really helped visualize all the problems we have with our carbon footprint
I agree with you that although it may seem easy to reduce our ecological footprint, it's actually quite hard since most things are part of our daily lives so it's hard for people to just give them up in a second. You are right that if we all reduced our ecological footprints by a little, it would make a difference
I really like the connection you made between the economy and the environmental choices that leaders choose to make. It was unique, yet well explained and it's something I agree with. Not to mention the views of the citizens, who often disagreed with the choices I thought most beneficial. In the end, it was almost impossible to achieve a healthy, sustainable environment while pleasing the citizens and maintaining a prosperous economy. You allowed for some possible long and short term solutions to be inferred which was quite engaging. Lastly, one of my favorite aspects of your article was mentioning how deeply ingrained some of these activities are into our daily activities. It brings up the question; is it impossible to change, or merely impossible to believe we can?
hunter
Oct 3, 2016