Blogs
The first reading (A year of Action) was very powerful it conveyed that this year is a make or break situation in our climates future. This was conveyed by the fact that this year the U.N. will be meeting to convene on post 2020 climate change initiatives. These initiatives will determine how effectively we combat climate change in the near future. This means that we have to not only understand how we can lower greenhouse gas emissions and care for our planet; but also how we should progress in our development of resources. Concern in was expressed by the author of this resource that only 18 delegates have put forth pledges so far. This means that 18 of 192 delegates have put forth pledges that's a measly 9.4%. After reading this article I feel shocked outraged that an organization such as the U.N. has so little of its member countries willing to commit. To me this truly speaks to the dire straights we find ourselves in, as the global mean temperature increases harmful affects of global warming also increase it is now more than ever that we must combat climate change.
This was further emphasized by the second reading (Hot In My Backyard) which tells a compelling truth about how many have awakened to the horrors climate change holds not only in the distant future but right now in our every day lives. Despite global weather events such as hurricane sandy that occurred last year the publics opinion of climate change remains largely the same; most people still believe that climate change is a problem for the distant future a problem that will be addressed by other generations. Despite this Hot In My Backyard speaks about people who are truly making a difference in efforts to combat climate change. One of these people is Nolan Doesken, he's Colorado's state climatologist he had previously addressed peoples climate change concerns with the same answer Variability. Variability is the ability of our climate to shift warmer last spring than this spring or colder fall last year than this year it varies. After last years unprecedented wildfires Nolan felt as if he was staring into the not so distant future, his not so distant future. Now Nolan addresses peoples concerns regarding climate change differently, he helps to educate them about what is happening around them and because of this every person who Nolan deals with comes away with a better understanding of the world around them. It seems simple to expand upon peoples understanding regarding climate change it is something so simple that each and every one of us can contribute to. This I find truly uplifting something so easy so simple that all of us can do help our planet in a world where climate change advocacy can often seem an arduous task with little reward. I personally would like to think that every time I spread the word about climate change and how it impacts our lives today I make our world just a little bit greener.
Foreign aid and Capacity building; this article addressed the development of resources in developing countries. The development of green technologies is key to managing our carbon footprint. If we are able to provide adequate targeted aid we would be able to help developing countries start out on the right path; the path to a green future. The GEF is an organization employing a similar process. GEF provides information training and institutional support to countries looking to enact their plan. Their plan allows countries to prepare for the future in a sustainable manner. Both organizations intend to aid developing countries in their use of green technologies. The question that these resources pose is; how much aid is the right amount of aid? What kind of aid should we supply monetary or in the form of resources? These are all factors we must consider when discussing foreign aid. Resource one conveys the importance of this year in our worlds climate change future, this was also echoed in the second source (hot in my backyard). If we were to base our aid solely off the ideas in these resources we would be expected to supply increased resources (including funds) in the next year to jumpstart green development. This would be a good thing for our environment of course but international aid is more complicated than that. You must factor in the regional needs, type of governmental organizations already in place and the most impacting use of funds. It is only by considering all these factors and those mentioned by these resources that we can effectively provide aid to developing countries.
-Stephanie Zawaduk
