The temperature of the earth is changing. Weather
patterns have changed and natural calamities have brought greater disaster to
communities[1]. This
is the newest trend... and this is a recurring threat to the survival of the
human race. This is Climate Change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change have listed some of the regional impacts of global change. In Asia alone,
it has been projected that freshwater availability shall decrease in Central,
South, East and Southeast Asia by 2050. On top of this is an increased risk of
flooding in coastal areas and a higher mortality as a consequence of
water-borne and drought associated diseases.[2]
As a consequence, government leaders all
over the world together with international organizations and environmental advocates
put forth a parcel of their resources in order to find ways in resolving this
problem. This is evidenced by the different conventions[3]
being conducted throughout the years with the aim of looking into the issue and
seeking solutions to find a stop or at least mitigate climate change. Also, through
these conventions, humanity made a great leap in humbly admitting the
participation of the human species in the aggravation of climate change.
But solving the problem of our environment
is more complicated than we thought. The interplay of every system that
operates within each country as well as each country’s stand over climate
change plays an important role in our collective efforts. Together with this is
the need to assess whether our measures in combating climate change have been
helpful or more incremental not just to Mother Earth but to every individual.
A
varied outlook
However, despite all the efforts that most
have exerted in order to combat climate change, not everyone is convinced that
climate change is real. Despite all the years spent in order to comprehend this
phenomenon, there are still those that refuse to acknowledge its existence. Some
are still in denial of man’s participation in climate change. Many still refuse
to accept that we made this problem and we need to take full responsibility
over it. A concrete example would be the Americans where in a conducted survey last
November 2013, 23% don’t believe in climate change –7% higher than last April
2013’s survey. [4]
And what does this mean?
When we neglect the existence of climate
change, we refuse to believe that something is wrong. When we refuse to believe
that something is wrong, we continue doing those that we do unconscious of
whether they are good or bad to the environment. When we continue doing our bad
ways, our activities continue to contribute to the abnormalities of the changing
climate. We think that nothing is wrong unaware that we are denying everyone the right to live. We think that everything is
okay.
Climate
Change is a human right issue
Indeed, Climate change is a human right
issue. Climate Change
is transboundary. We are all affected by it. And unfortunately, those who
produce more of the gasses that aggravate climate change have more resiliency
and resources to adapt to the changing climate - leaving the third world
countries more vulnerable.
Based on the list[5]
made by the World Bank on the top twelve (12) countries that are most
vulnerable to the five threats of Climate Change – drought, flood, storm,
increase in sea level and agriculture – four of the world’s poorest nations top
the list. In a separate survey conducted by Standard and Poor’s ranking, the Philippines,
a third-world country, is 7th in the ten (10) countries most
vulnerable to climate change[6].
And what does this imply? The poorer countries
have higher risks when it comes to climate change because they don’t have the
means and the capacity to adapt and/or counter climate change. The sad thing is
that they are not even the main producers of the gasses that destroy our ozone
layer yet they are the ones who have to suffer the most. Whereas those who
contribute the most to climate change – the rich countries – have higher percentage
of surviving the threats of climate change because they have the resources.
Isn’t that unfair?
***
We all have a
right to live in a liveable Earth. And we are all challenged to think not only
for ourselves but for everyone. We deserve a world conducive for living.
This is a right that applies not only to you and your family but to every
individual regardless of race and status. Progress is not bad. But as we grow
intellectually, our hearts have become poor. Pollution which is a product of
our own hands has become one of the major culprits why our earth is slowly
dying. We are continuously developing, but our unstoppable progress has
hindered our responsibility of becoming stewards of the earth. We have to
accept our responsibility because nothing will happen unless we learn to accept
that we are at fault.
[1] http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/threats-impacts/index.htm
The
threats and impacts of climate change based on the Nature Conservancy are (1) ¼
of the Earth’s species shall be extinct in 2050, (2) higher temperatures, (3)
changing landscapes, (4) wildlife being at risk (5) rising seas, (6) increased
risk of drought, fire and floods (7) stronger storm resulting to greater damage
(8) increase in heat-related illness and disease, and (9) economic losses.
North
America: Decreasing snowpack in the
western mountains; 5-20 percent increase in yields of rain-fed agriculture in
some regions; increased frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves in
cities that currently experience them
Latin America:
Gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazonia; risk of
significant biodiversity loss through species extinction in many tropical
areas; significant changes in water availability for human consumption,
agriculture and energy generation.
Europe:
Increased risk of inland flash floods; more frequent coastal flooding and
increased erosion from storms and sea level rise; glacial retreat in
mountainous areas; reduced snow cover and winter tourism; extensive species
losses; reductions of crop productivity in southern Europe
Africa: By
2020, between 75 and 250 million people are projected to be exposed to
increased water stress; yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up
to 50 percent in some regions by 2020; agricultural production, including
access to food, may be severely compromised.
Asia:
Freshwater availability projected to decrease in Central, South, East and
Southeast Asia by the 2050s; coastal areas will be at risk due to increased
flooding; death rate from disease associated with floods and droughts expected
to rise in some regions.
