Climate change isn't something you can "believe" in, as one of my professors at the University of Utah stated last semester in front of my class.
You can't agree with it, its not something that is disputable, especially when the entire GLOBAL community of climate scientists has come to a common consensus on the subject matter. . . That is, those that aren't being paid big money by Exxon Mobil.
Lets take a look back towards the first scientists to voice their concerns about environmental degradation... When did modern science begin to indicate that human activity may have a warming effect on the atmosphere?
Oh yeah, it was 1938, according to the American Institute of Physics).
Many countries have taken serious consideration of their ecological footprint on the planet, and have been making lofty efforts towards curbing their greenhouse gas emissions, amongst other things, to preserve their land and water for future generations.
Efforts made by the United Nations such as the Kyoto Protocol and Agenda 21, and other climate conventions have shed light on the many implications of anthropogenic climate change. Despite the many participating Nations, and more recent Paris Agreements regarding reducing CO2 and initiatives to promote clean, renewable energy sources, it seems that the United States is stuck in a stagnant internal debate regarding the validity of the subject matter.
Talk about frustration for those of us who are consumed in the fear that our children and our grandchildren will be born into an uninhabitable world.
As progressive cap and trade policies are implemented in many European nations, and specific goals are being set forth and publicized, I can't help but wonder why the U.S. isn't on board with these initiatives?!
Following China, the U.S. is leading in carbon emissions, which should make our efforts in the race away from extinction (not to be too dramatic. . ) that much more vital.
Lets take a closer look at what other countries are doing to ensure a healthier future for their citizens:
France has taken initiative in being a catalyst for international policy change, and was the stage for the Paris Climate Conference, which spurred international conversation about the subject matter. This conference is monumental in efforts to combat climate change in that it offers insight as to what a new paradigm of sustainable consumption and production looks like. This country has also set the bar high for curbing their own emissions, and is banning the distribution of plastic cutlery, which of course spurred plastic producers into a hissy fit.
The European Union has enforced The Climate Change Programme, which requires all countries in the union to either comply with their goals, or to set their own compatible objectives. These largely aim to reduce CO2 emissions and to work towards greater energy efficiency. Despite these grand policy efforts, smaller community initiatives are making great headway in creating livable, green settlements that produce local food, beautiful spaces, while cleaning their air.
Morocco experienced the climatic wrath of human activity when the country suffered from a severe drought in 2015, that stemmed climate change and greatly impacted their agricultural yield, and making their economy take a dip. This unfortunate event spun the government into making hasty policy moves that aim to conserve water use and water infrastructure, transform energy sources to renewable ones, and preserve and manage their natural resources.
Japan's efforts towards mitigating climate change have ranged from goals in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction by utilizing clean energy sources to donating nearly $20 billion dollars to underdeveloped countries to invest in clean energy.
These are but a few of the countries taking steps towards sustainable infrastructure and clean energy. As many people know, climate change is not a localized issue; and will require international efforts to mitigate and remedy its widespread aftermath.
Greater U.S. involvement in combating human climate change critical, especially when we consider the fact that we are one of the greatest contributors to global greenhouse gas levels.
Although we talk about climate change like some sort of impending doom that will only impact those near the seas, the United Nations estimated that approximately 22.5 million people have already had to flee their homes between 2001 and 2008 due to droughts, floods, and food shortages.
And yet, we don't have to see it here. We don't have to think about it, unless we choose to make that google search, or we just happen to see a little blurb about it on the news.
Click these links to learn more about:
Morroco's Sustainability Efforts
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
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