Climate Change-the facts and what we need to do!
September 2017 has proven to be incredibly devastating around the world with hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, flooding, and wildfires. We listen to our parents and grandparents talk about these events causing more damage now than ever before, and we wonder why. For years scientists have studied and reported on the impact that man has had on the environment and have been very clear that human behavior can and does influence the weather. According to NASA “the current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (greater than 95 percent probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20
According to NASA “the current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (greater than 95 percent probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia” (NASA, 2017). But for those living in Houston, the Florida Keys, the islands of the Caribbean, Mexico, and the western United States, who are the victims of these disasters, they are acutely aware of the power of Mother Nature and understand that we must work to rebuild and fight back. It is time for us to concentrate on changing the human behaviors that have contributed to disrupting the environment and the resultant disasters.
Turning back the clock is obviously not the answer. But recognizing that the seas are warming, polar ice is melting, and the oceans are becoming more acidic is the beginning of asking the question – “What can be done?” Environmental psychologists and social psychologists have provided research and guidance on how to approach these problems.
First, we must recognize the problem and have an understanding of how the climate has changed. The Nature Conservancy has provided the following facts:
- 8 inches: Rise in global sea levels over the last century. The rate of rising has nearly doubled in the last two decades.
- 16: Number of record-breaking hottest years since 2000. 2016 was the hottest year yet.
- 5 degrees: The average worldwide temperature increase in Fahrenheit compared to a century ago.
- 9: The 9 most explosive fires in America’s history have all occurred since 2000, with 2015 having the biggest fire (10.1 million acres burned) in American history.
- 30 percent: The increase in acidity of the world’s oceans.
- $180 billion: Estimated economic losses to the United States by end of the century if no action is taken on climate change (Climate Change, 2017)
Second, an intervention plan must be developed and countries around the world have stepped up to address the problem. The response on an international level was announced at the Paris Climate Accord of 2015. This was an agreement made by 196 countries to “adopt green energy sources, cut down on climate change emissions and limit the rise in global temperatures — while also cooperating to cope with the impact of unavoidable climate change” (Domonoske, 2017). Within the United States, the U.S. Climate Alliance has established that their goal “is to bring states together to reduce emissions 26%-28% from 2005 levels, in order to meet or exceed the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan” which was instituted by President Obama in 2015. Fourteen states have banded together in a bipartisan coalition to maintain their support of and work towards the goals of the Paris Climate Accord. In the American spirit of competition will ensue as a result of the comparative feedback provided from each entity. As used by Siero in his 1996 study (Siero, et al., 1996) by sharing information the challenge will be enhanced and work to achieving an important goal, by any one group will encourage others and that when any success, everyone wins.
Third, on a personal level what intervention can we do? These environmental problems can overshadow our personal feelings of power based on the enormity of their impact. But as individuals, as families, and as a community, there are ways we can we can choose to address the problems. We are faced with a resource dilemma. A resource dilemma is when you have the opportunity to make choices – of self-interest or the interest of the larger community. Every day, in very small ways, one individual can help. Decisions and choices made as part of our daily routine have an impact when billions of individuals choose to make a commitment to not damage the environment. Things like water usage – shorter showers, doing full loads of dishes and clothing, watering the lawn are individual decisions that add to a greater impact. Everyday decisions about transportation, heating, and air conditioning, and recycling all add up. Taking into consideration the environment when purchasing things: green energy, electric cars, solar panels are other options to be considered, and they can help (Steg et al., 2008).
Social change is never immediate, but as a generation, we have the power to choose how we want to impact the environment. By nature we are social beings, by using the theory of social design we will find ourselves “working with people in the planning and management of spaces around them, educating them to use the environment wisely and creatively to achieve a harmonious balance…” (Steg et al., 2008).
The power to influence is also ours. You can let your local government know that it is important that they also address these same resource dilemmas as they build new structures and provide services in the community. Encouraging school boards to address the issues, impact, and personal responsibility of fighting climate change by including it in the curriculum would help prepare the next generation to value and preserve the environment.
The integration of theories, with knowledge and action, will assist us in creating necessary change. Working with the guidance of environmental and applied social psychologists can empower individuals, families, communities, businesses, government, and education to develop grass root programs and policy initiatives that can address the effects of climate change.
References
Climate change: 10 facts about climate change and global warming. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/help/10-climate-change-facts.xml
Domonoske, C. (Writer). (2017, June 1). So what exactly is the Paris climate accord? [Radio episode transcript]. In National Public Radio. Retrieved from NPR database.
Global climate change. (n.d.). Retrieved from NASA website: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
Siro, Frans W. et al., Changing organizational energy consumption behavior through comparative feedback. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 16(3). Sept. 1966. pp 235-246.
Steg, L., & Rothengatter, T. (2008). Introduction to applied social psychology. In Cambridge university press (pp. 1-10). Retrieved from http://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/69799/excerpt/9780521869799_excerpt.pdf
U.S. climate alliance. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.usclimatealliance.org/
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