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The two pre-conference activities I participated in were the Ecological Footprint Calculator and the Climate Challenge simulation. Both of these activities provided a useful insight into how I perceived my approach to climate change.
These simulations, specifically the Ecological Footprint Calculator, can be applied very greatly to my current position. As an Australian, I live a considerably luxurious life. Upon filling out information the best of my abilities, I was told that my lifestyle (including my diet, technological usage and travel) is extremely non-sustainable, requiring 4.5 Earths to support said lifestyle for the entire population. This specific simulation showed how resource-heavy my way of life is, and this prompted me to think about how others who live in more disadvantaged countries are not given the opportunities or luxuries I have been provided with, as well as how these are influencing the environment around me.
I also found that the Climate Challenge simulation allowed me to better comprehend strategies for how we will combat this issue. This task saw me personally take on the role of a world leader, forcing me to take into account national wealth, food, water and energy whilst also attempting to minimize the national ecological footprint.Whilst initially assuming this to be a problem that would be easily navigated, I was met with a series of severe challenges and unforeseen events that greatly influenced how each decision affected the wellbeing of my country and my environment. This paired with my interactions with other countries showed how truly difficult it is to maintain such a high standard of living whilst also trying to prevent the destruction of our natural environment.
Overall, these simulations showed me personally that under no circumstances can our current approaches to the environment and our current lifestyles be sustained. As inhabitants of this planet it is up to us to ensure the Earth is in the best possible condition for the generations that come after us. This can only be achieved by destroying the barriers of nationality and wealth. As a single Earth we must work together to ensure very country is taking part is preventing further damage. We must collaborate our scientific discoveries to understand how we can use technology to remove our influence on the natural processes of our planet. I do not wish to see my children endure life without pure water or nutritious food, as so many already must. How we perceive our usage and influence must be reconsidered so that we do not destroy that which we have been given.
