Blogs
How does your footprint reflect the economy of your country, including its colonial relations?
My footprint reflects the economy of my country and its colonial relations because I live in a very economically sound country (United States), the industries encompassed within the United States are very successful and provide almost everyone in the United States with a splendid life. I think that since the US has so many successful businesses and manufacturers, that most people have a dependable income that is pretty sizable compared to others in less fortunate situations and regions. Because the United States is a relatively wealthy country, those who live in it tend to produce more of a carbon footprint than those you do not possess enough money to have all the food or technologies that are a large part of my carbon footprint. For example, my family owns three cars where as I know some people in other parts of the world are not able to provide this type of luxuries for their families. Cars, a larger diet, and better technology are all significant when it comes to a carbon footprint. When these items are less available for your use due to economical concerns, you tend to have a lower carbon footprint. In this way, your carbon footprint can reflect the economy of your country
How are the effects of climate change related with power imbalances among countries or within countries?
The effects of climate change relate with power imbalances across countries and within countries because when a larger country produces many greenhouse gases, or much more than another country, the smaller, more defenseless countries could still be impacted in much greater ways than the country producing all the emissions. For example, if one small, weak, country is hit by a disastrous hurricane that was caused by climate change and increasingly warming waters, yet the warming waters were effects of emissions produced by a larger country. The weaker country could be seriously impacted and still receive no help from the larger country, the cause of their troubles. However there are other, larger, countries who contribute a significant amount to the amount of emissions produced globally for whom it would be a much lesser blow to the economy to be hit by hurricanes. These countries would, of course, still be economically damaged, but the damage done would be much less and have less of an effect on the economy. Overall, power imbalances can create dystopian situations for many countries concerning climate change and its effects.
