Over the past few years, climate change has drastically increased to alarming statistics and per Naomi Klein, there is no indication that it is going to stop while the global society stays on this track. In her book ‘This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate’, Klein writes about several factors that pertain to climate change. She writes about why people still seem to deny the cause and even the presence of climate change, what sort of technical fixes can be made to the environment, and that we either need to make a great change to our current ideology and economic beliefs, or even greater change will come to our environment in a negative presence.
In correspondence to the information in our class, in this book Naomi Klein infers
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Furthermore, Naomi Klein mentions this opinion in her book with people like Larry Bell who wrote ‘Climate of Corruption’, saying that climate change “’has little to do with the state of the environment and much to do with shackling capitalism’” (Klein, This Changes Everything). The author is presenting this in her book to show what many people believe when the topic of climate change is discussed. Many economists believe the argument for climate change is a hoax to end our capitalistic economy as we know and deny its’ continuation. Another saying she mentions by a local county commissioner to verify this mindset is that climate change is “’a Trojan Horse designed to abolish capitalism’” (Klein, This Changes Everything). Klein then proceeds to state multiple factors as to why climate change should be recognized. Such as the presence of the Unite Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) being a collaboration of many scientists, organizations, and governments who propose facts that climate change is indeed upon the human society. Naomi Klein even rhetorically downplayed the people who deny climate change, saying they have out smarted almost all the world’s climate scientists without being actual scientists. There are many people who do not believe in climate change for several …show more content…
Simply put, per Naomi Klein, “What the climate needs to avoid collapse is a contradiction in humanities use of resources; what our economic model demands to collapse is unfettered expansion” (Klein, This Changes Everything). She is stating that to use the earth’s resources on the scale that society is currently using them, then it is naturally impossible to preserve and prevent the collapse of our environment. Klein even infers that many people choose not to see the harm that is being brought to the environment so people and large corporations can take advantage of capitalism. Moreover, she mentions writer Upton Sinclair saying that “’it is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it’” (Klein, This Changes Everything). This entails that business men who work for large corporations purposefully choose to turn a blind eye to the damage that their business does to the environment. They do this because of the benefits they receive from what the business produces with resources that is hurtful to the environment. It is foolish to choose an option that puts our homes and race in further danger. In class, we discussed the Kyoto Protocol which a little less than two hundred countries are a part of. The goal of this international treaty is to fight global
Climate Change is costing the world millions of dollars and is the biggest issue facing society today. Climate change is causing greenhouse gases to build up, ice caps to melt, etc. Some people believe climate change is not a big issue. For instance in the article “Gospel of The Climate Change Deniers” it is stated, “Barton a guy who called Al Gore ‘totally wrong’ about global warming and advised people to get shade to adapt to rising temperatures” (Kroll). Although, this is an appealing mindset, it is illogical because climate change has many more effects than just warmer temperatures. For example, Frank Ackerman: an economist known for his work in environmental economics and Dr. Elizabeth A. Stanton an environmental economist and
The two essays by Michael Pollan and Curtis white talk about climate change in regards to the relationship between the environment and human beings. Although the two essays share the same topic, they take the subject and engage the readers in totally different points of views. Pollan’s essay talks about global and ecological responsibility being a personal virtue while Curtis discusses the socio-economic or political issues underlying sustainability (Pollan; White). These two essays are very different in terms of voice; however these pieces of writing are both important for people all over the world to read. Climate change and environmental disasters are a real issue. Just this year, there have been more storms, cyclones, earthquakes and typhoons all over the world. One cannot look at the state of many developing counties where the majority of the population is exposed and vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This issue on developing a viable solution for the problem of anthropogenic gases and global warming is long from being found. Not only this, many people do not want to hear about this issue since they do not think it is real. Unless people have tangible proof that their cars, thermostats and aerosol cans are contributing to climate change, they are not going to give up their lifestyles. By synthesizing the two essays, one can see that there is a need for change and that it is not an issue which should be dealt with in terms of ecological factors or even personal virtue. The social, economic and political factors affecting this problem and the move towards real sustainability should also be a topic that will raise awareness.
It is obvious from the tone of this report that Michael Pollan really wants to stop climate change; he just doesn’t know how to make a lasting effect. Even so, he never ceases to pull at the readers’ heartstrings. The author does a great job at coercing the readers to jump on board; the only problem is there is no destination in mind. So, instead of inciting his readers to act out against this problem, Pollan leaves them dumbfounded and uncertain on how to
In the article “Global Warming’s Terrifying New Math”, written by Bill Mckibben, he firstly opens up by saying that back in 2012, according to the statistics, we surpassed the global record high for climate temperature in our nation, destroying other previous records. Despite the research and the displaying of data, nobody is doing anything to adress the following issue. Mckibben outlines three distinctive numbers that outline the following issue., 2 degrees celsius, 565 gigations, and 2795 gigtons, which he uses to validitate and support his argument. Firstly, the ongoing problem of climate change in society is fundamentally a matter of individual moral responsibility that is inspired by the insight individuals are intentionally harming the environment. Secondly there is yet to be an effective collective state response to the issue of global warming, despite approaching two full decades of ongoing and reoccuring negotiations and the very near universal participation by states in the UNFCCC. Thirdly, because this issue has been put on hold for longer than it was innitially expected, greenhouse gases are being emitted into our atmosphere, polluting our environment. The South-North issue and an ongoing debate comes into effect as all the greenhouse gases that are created and used in the Northern hemisphere are being emmited into the southern hemisphere. Hence, my thesis is; despite the fact that global warming and climate change has been an ongoing problem globally for years, humanity has failed to resolve thiis issue as it quickly begins to escalate.
The high temperatures warm ocean waters, melt ice caps, and causes sea levels to rise. All of which sustain both human and nonhuman lives, therefore causing problems socially if what is needed to survive is being effected. This is why global warming is solely a social argument because it “shapes our lives; respect for critique defines quality in our life-world” (Klumpp, 120). People need to be aware of the climate change and its effect on their social context and community. People debate so they can create plans of action to fix situations that they are dealing with. Thus, when people use their social experiences to respond to the crisis of climate change they focus on their community and how it can develop ways to transform its community experience into the context of the problem. Since human behavior is causing this change in climate due to the reliance on carbon-based energy sources, it is only fitting matters must be taken in their own
Mr. McKibben provides a strong argument call of action for everyone to take action against global warming. But he doesn 't just want action, Mr. Mckibben is demanding action now, and lots of it. Throughout the passage, Meltdown: Running Our of Time on Global Warming, the reader can examine the many ways that McKibben attempts to persuade others to join his movement. When one examines Bill McKibben 's use of rhetoric appeals, persuasive fallacies, and counter augments, A reader can analyze and understand the real claim that the writer is attempting to address.
One of the most compelling and difficult environmental problems society is facing today is climate change. People do not realize how much the environment has changed for the worse in the last ten years, until they are told that the last two decades of the 20th century have been the hottest in the last 400 years, according to climate studies (Conserve Energy Future). Today the carbon dioxide levels have reached 396.81 parts per million (ppm). “Carbon dioxide (CO2) has also increased over the last 100 years-- from about 300 ppm to 370 ppm. Interestingly, the majority of these additions have occurred in the last 50 years, when temperature increases have been slowest” (geocraft). There are no known solutions yet to reverse these effects in the environment, however there are many things people can do to prevent it from increasing. By implementing a carbon tax the government can tax corporations on how much carbon they emit into the atmosphere. With the extra money from the tax, scientist can invest in alternative ways to reduce how much carbon is emitted. Reducing climate change is going to take years and so nothing is going to get fixed anytime soon, but meanwhile we can use that extra money to begin cleaning up the atmosphere. There are many ways to explain climate change, some say its due to the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, others say it is the burning of the fossils fuels, some even say it’s the greenhouse gases. All of these sayings mean the exact same thing, no matter how one says it. I believe there are more convenient ways to solve climate change; and if the government would to implement a carbon tax on companies they will then be forced to re-evaluate all the carbon they emit to the environment and red...
The first part of this essay discusses what the human species has done to deal with the problem of climate change. While some improvements have been made, the problem has not been addressed aggressively enough to stop the damage. What is amazing about this is the denial of so many people that problems exist. If they do realize the risks, they are simply not taking actions to contain the damage.
For these reasons, global warming stands as one of the most daunting policy issues facing our world today. This is compounded by the debate over the very existence of climate change. While countless sources of empirical evidence testify to the very real presence of climate change the world over, considerable denial of the phenomenon still exists. The argument has been made that evidence about climate change is a gross overstatement, or in some cases, a complete fabrication. Despite the evidence to the contrary, many interest groups with considerable political clout have successfully perpetuated the argument that documented changes in the environment are a product of natural cyclical changes in climate, and are not associated with human activities. However, even the acceptance of this particular brand of reality is no grounds for the disregard of environmental consciousness. Even if one accepts the premise that recent climate change is not resultant of human activity, the rationale behind environmental conservation remains ...
61). Moreover, it can also be seen “as presenting us with the largest collective action problem that humanity has ever faced, one that has both intra- and inter-generational dimensions” (Jamieson pg. 61). Thus, climate change will not only affect us but our children, and their children’s children, for generations to come. So is this it? Have we as humans sold our souls to the climate change devil? Is this something that we will always have to deal with and if so then why should we even bother trying to prevent it? Dale Jamieson philosopher and author of the book, Reason in a Dark Time, argues that we have sold our souls to the climate change devil and will be stuck with this problem for eternity. However, just because we are stuck with climate change, Jamieson argues, we should not give up on trying to slow down its effects. In addition to Jamieson the Federal Republic of Germany also believes that we are stuck with climate change and have developed their own solutions to help mitigate the effects. Throughout this paper I will present a descriptive and normative analysis to help address the environmental justice claims that both entities are making. I will then go on to show the instability of Dale Jamieson’s argument in both his descriptive and normative analysis through the development of my own
In recent years, climate change has been a controversial topic. Many people, including country leaders argue that the change is real and irreversible, while others claim it is a tactic to envoke fear among people. Climate change is defined as, “a change in the typical or average weather of a region or city” (nasa). Their is remarkable evidence for both sides of the debate which raises the arguable question, is climate change real? In this essay, I will explain both arguments of the topic about the controversy that surrounds climate change. For argumentative paper you must also develop your own position and defend your point of view on this topic. In your intro please provide a clear thesis statement.
The Earth is currently locked in perpetuating spiral of climate change. While the global climate has unarguably been changing since the dawn of it's manifestation, the once steadied ebb and flow of climate change has become increasingly more unpredictable.The risk of rising sea levels, and drought plaguing the fresh water supply, during the time that flooding and sporadic storm conditions turn once fully inhabited regions into uninhabitable death traps. Climate change catalyzed by human's increased production of carbon dioxide, is more noticeable than ever in our recorded history (United States, 2014 National Climate Assessment). Thankfully however, with the changing weather conditions due to carbon related emissions, the change in public opinion about their personalized influence on climate change is also increasing. Kevin Liptak Jethro Mullen, and Tom Cohen note that In reaction to the most recent governmental report on climate change, even the U.S. government believes that a stronger approach needs to be taken to correct our self-generated cataclysm.
In the modern era, climate change is a variation of weather over a long period of time, and it is the most important and controversial global issue. It is arguable in different positions, especially on science, culture, and politics. These three fields all cause a lot of latent concerns. The science of climate change brings out several harmful phenomenon, such as global warming. With respect to the climate change, the culture of humanity may be changed because the changing climate is the most important key factor of forming today’s human societies. Instead, climate change is now a political issue, which will affect the public attitudes directly. In other words, it means the government tends to review and provide latest information in order to adapt and retard the climate change. Over a long period of time, climate change has been taking place because of human activities that affect the scientific, cultural, and political sides.
The earth has experienced climate change for the entirety of its existence. For billions of years, this change has occurred at a relatively slow pace, with exceptions being caused by events such as large scale volcanic eruptions. Now, humans are the cause for high rates of climate change and damage to the environment. This is beginning to have damaging effects on not only us, but the world around us, and we are only just started to take action. Efforts to reduce climate change would be more realized if not for the resistance of many due to misconceptions, money, and a reluctance to change. Short- and long-term solutions are being developed by the brightest minds, but they will not work without
Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the human species face today, yet the majority of the population does not pay attention to it. People are not aware of the dangers and do not care about it much because the main effects will affect the next generation and not themselves. Global warming is happening and it is the reason for changing weather and weather extremes such as earthquakes, floods and wildfires. Global warming is caused by societies lifestyle and these lifestyles destroy the environment and affect the whole world. The use of cars, trains, planes, as well as wasting energy for people’s entertainment has a price; this price is that society is in danger.