LO-McKenna Mercier-Background Readings

Environment   Oct 4, 2016 by McKenna

In our two videos, we watched a video of the Kenyan farmers who suffer because of climate change. This is not only a few degree rise in temperature, it's volatile weather, dry heat and unpredictable droughts, even within the rainy season. Now, farmers are forced to do what they can to make their living, Seeds are passed down from generations, farmers use agroforestry, seed collection and double digging, among other techniques to create great yielding crops. It isn't them only making some money, as 80% of Kenyans rely on agricultural industries for their livelihood and food securities. Our actions contribute to the climate change that could take away their food. 

As a plan for the future, we can learn from Kenya about educating youth, for they have begun to teach agriculture in schools to both students and teachers. We have to question though, is it our job to adapt to work with the climate change? Or work to prevent it? It seems the people who are less responsible for climate change, suffer the most. 

In the second, we discovered that solar roadways, a possible solution to combat climate change, include solar panels being used in place of concrete and asphalt. They're heated to prevent icy roadways and shoveling driveways. They can be programmed to display certain images using LEDs, which is useful for recreation and road symbols. They are also pressure sensitive, as a good as a source of clean energy, they would pay for themselves in years. Two prototypes have been made in the US, out of some recyclable materials, and we hope that they will hit the public sector soon!

This inspires people of all kinds to focus on creating new uses and better functionality of everyday items. In each new technology, we need to fully commit before accepting the job loss is other industries, the cost, and the safety. 

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