This years theme is all about Climate Change!
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We will be uploading our theme package here shortly! In the mean time start with some general readings! Contact [email protected] for more information |
Government Pillar
When trying to change the way an entire country operates, governments rely on being able to fund and regulate. Deciding what projects are worth funding can be difficult. What will work? What will be efficient? How much to fund? Deciding how to regulate can be equally as tricky. Will it have the desired effect? Will it hurt the population more than it benefits? Is it more restrictive than necessary? Theses are some of the problems governments face when approaching something as massive as climate change.
Countries are beginning to create carbon offsets. This is essentially the idea that if you cannot decrease your pollution, you decrease the impact of your pollution. The United Nations Trees in Cities Challenge was issued and millions of trees are going to be planted in order to decrease the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Pakistan launched a plan to plant over 10 billion trees to combat years of deforestation. These initiatives will be a good start - but will they be enough?
In the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, Countries promised to become carbon neutral. To accomplish this some are increasing their reliance on renewable energy, India produces 6% of the worlds solar power and Australia has the second highest amount of solar panels per capita. Commonwealth Countries generate about 11.6% of the worlds wind energy. The question is, is this enough? The consequences of climate change are dire. Will we have to change the way we are approaching it? Destruction of the environment is rampant, what will become of Countries that do not take precautions? What can we do? |
Social Pillar
How will climate change affect the general population? The answer is - it’s complicated. Depending on where you live and your autonomy will affect how much someone will be affected. Like so much, equality plays a huge aspect.
What is happening?
The warmer climate increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters. This increase has been displacing millions of people. Drought, hurricanes, landslides and other weather disasters have driven 17.2 million people from their homes. Those already plagued with poverty have less ability to prepare or to recover.
Rising temperatures are causing sea levels continue to rise - 40% of the population lives within 60 kilometers of the ocean, where will these people live? Already 20% of the African population is undernourished - what happens when the most vulnerable farms get destroyed by droughts and flooding? For many the rights to food, water, and life will be affected.
What is happening?
The warmer climate increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters. This increase has been displacing millions of people. Drought, hurricanes, landslides and other weather disasters have driven 17.2 million people from their homes. Those already plagued with poverty have less ability to prepare or to recover.
Rising temperatures are causing sea levels continue to rise - 40% of the population lives within 60 kilometers of the ocean, where will these people live? Already 20% of the African population is undernourished - what happens when the most vulnerable farms get destroyed by droughts and flooding? For many the rights to food, water, and life will be affected.
What can be done?
With numerous farms be taken out by droughts and flooding - how can we ensure food security? Can sea-wall curb rising ocean levels? Will GMO’s increase food production to safe levels? With fears that governments are not taking appropriate to answer these questions, for-profit-solutions are starting to emerge. This can be potentially problematic - we cannot afford to leave behind those that cannot afford. “Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth…these are one and the same fight.” — Ban Ki-moon, Eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations.
How can we create policy that protects the poor and disadvantaged? What precautions can we take to ensure food security? How can we ensure human rights? What can we do?
With numerous farms be taken out by droughts and flooding - how can we ensure food security? Can sea-wall curb rising ocean levels? Will GMO’s increase food production to safe levels? With fears that governments are not taking appropriate to answer these questions, for-profit-solutions are starting to emerge. This can be potentially problematic - we cannot afford to leave behind those that cannot afford. “Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth…these are one and the same fight.” — Ban Ki-moon, Eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations.
How can we create policy that protects the poor and disadvantaged? What precautions can we take to ensure food security? How can we ensure human rights? What can we do?
Environment Pillar
Come Back Soon For The Environment Pillar!
Economic Pillar
As climate change progresses, economies will have to drastically shift to incorporate it. Countries focused around the energy sectors will face increasing pressures to shift towards more sustainable economies, while nations concentrated on industries such as agriculture, fishing, logging, and other natural resources will need to adapt to the changing environment. Economic change is required as the Earth’s climate and needs change.
Climate change affects different people unequally. Those impoverished are significantly more vulnerable since they cannot afford the shift to renewable energy items (such as electric cars) and are often unable to secure in advance of, or rebuild after, natural disasters. Policies such as carbon taxation can generate subsidies for social service programs, or even initiatives in disaster preparation. Imposing programs like building disaster shelters and developing food safety is critical to reducing the effects of climate change, although these sorts of programs are simply reactionary. It is important to understand that poor people are facing the brunt of climate change: for example, with changing weather patterns, those in developing countries may suffer from different rain and drought seasons which can lead to food shortages. Those in coastal regions who rely on subsistence fishing for food will, as well, suffer food shortages as coral bleaching becomes more prominent - not to mention the threats of floods due to rising sea levels.
As aforementioned, a shift in the global view of money is crucial in order to slow the effects of climate change. Transferring from a global economy seated in the oil and gas industry and factory farming to one rooted in sustainable development is possible. Industries such as clean energy development are of increasing importance. With concern of economic crash coming forward as countries try to move into more sustainable industries, countries must determine ways to create jobs while limiting their environmental impacts.
How can countries limit their carbon footprint while remaining viable in a global economy? How can they limit the effects of climate change on their most vulnerable citizens?
Climate change affects different people unequally. Those impoverished are significantly more vulnerable since they cannot afford the shift to renewable energy items (such as electric cars) and are often unable to secure in advance of, or rebuild after, natural disasters. Policies such as carbon taxation can generate subsidies for social service programs, or even initiatives in disaster preparation. Imposing programs like building disaster shelters and developing food safety is critical to reducing the effects of climate change, although these sorts of programs are simply reactionary. It is important to understand that poor people are facing the brunt of climate change: for example, with changing weather patterns, those in developing countries may suffer from different rain and drought seasons which can lead to food shortages. Those in coastal regions who rely on subsistence fishing for food will, as well, suffer food shortages as coral bleaching becomes more prominent - not to mention the threats of floods due to rising sea levels.
As aforementioned, a shift in the global view of money is crucial in order to slow the effects of climate change. Transferring from a global economy seated in the oil and gas industry and factory farming to one rooted in sustainable development is possible. Industries such as clean energy development are of increasing importance. With concern of economic crash coming forward as countries try to move into more sustainable industries, countries must determine ways to create jobs while limiting their environmental impacts.
How can countries limit their carbon footprint while remaining viable in a global economy? How can they limit the effects of climate change on their most vulnerable citizens?