As the last post of this blog, I wanted to end on a happier note, rather than on one that points out everything wrong with our environment.  Instead, let’s explore what we are doing collectively to combat the deteriorating state of the Earth.  I’m not going to debate whether climate change is real or not because it’s useless to argue against plenty of scientific evidence proving its existence.  However, to clarify, the earth does not need us to save it.  As seen in history, Earth can repair its self given time and little disturbance; she could care less whether we went extinct.  Many of our efforts towards “saving the earth” are only in place so that human race can live longer in relatively healthy conditions.  We all know that it’s part of the human condition to act out of selfishness, conscious or not.

Nevertheless, institutionalized involvement in any issue is critically important in order for change to arise.  I’m quite sure most people have heard about the Paris Agreement.  It’s an global accord meant to address climate change through specific goals such as minimizing temperature increase, limiting greenhouse gas emissions. preserving carbon sinks and reservoirs, etc.  Currently, 189 of 197 countries have ratified the agreement.  And as many already know, good ol’ ‘Murica has pulled out of the agreement, despite producing 13% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.  Regardless of this negligence, it is reassuring to know so many country governments are working together towards a common goal.

Aside from government intervention, individuals have also stepped up to advocate for climate action.  More and more, we see young people taking the lead in passionate protest.  One well known example is Greta Thunberg, a 17-year old Swedish activist who blew the world away with her speech at the UN Climate Convention and continues her avid rallies through social media and other appearances.  In addition, there are plenty of other young people (of colour, might I add) who are setting examples for proactive involvement on similar issues.  Among these are Autumn Peltier, advocating for clean water access; Helena Gualinga, pushing against the exploitation of resources especially in indigenous territory; and many more.

Lastly, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are so important for setting targeted and quantifiable goals in addressing climate change, among other issues.  Of the 17 goals developed by the United Nations, eight directly address environmental issues, while the rest address issues that would likely be ameliorated should the earth be restored to a better condition.  All goals are so intricately connected on social, political, and economic levels that they cannot be addressed separately.  But in order to achieve any one of these goals, one of my revered professors argues, SDG #17, Partnership for the Goals, needs to be prioritized.  In the divided world we live in, the only way we can achieve anything is to work together regardless of race, age, gender, or other differences inconsequential to an existential crisis.