Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Paris Climate Summit 2015
Paris Climate Summit 2015
Summit
2015
What+Who
Climate Change occurs when long-term weather patterns are altered, usually through
human activity. Global Warming is a measurement of Climate Change, and is the rise
in the average annual temperature. ("What is Climate Change" by the David Suzuki
Foundation). This all happens because over time, we've increased the amount of
greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere, making it harder for the sun's rays to escape.
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Impacts
+Progress
Climate Change will impact individuals, Canada, and the world in many dierent
ways, including through food and agriculture, medicine and disease, and
demographics.
1. Food
Depending on
where farmers
are located,
some will see
larger yields,
while others' will
be significantly
smaller.
According to
predictions
covering the
next several
decades, all
crops in
California (corn,
wheat, rice,
cotton) will drop
by up to 30 percent (National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory
Committee). Food prices will also increase because of the need for water and energy,
which will also see a rise in price.
2. Energy
Energy demand will continue to increase over the next several decades, causing even
more emissions to leak into the atmosphere.
3. Weather
An increased population will mean a need for more water, which will strain Earth's
finite supply. Watersheds like the Rockies will experience supply issues as the runo
which supplies water to them runs out.
4. Transportation
Taking a look back at Hurricane Sandy in 2012, we can expect national transportation
systems (specifically buses, rail, and subway) to take a hit. Engineers are worrying
that increasing demands on aging infrastructure could create unreliable routes for the
transportation of food, fuel, and people.
5. Medical
The amount of people with asthma and allergies will continue to rise since Climate
Change is expected to increase the atmospheric ozone levels, which often leads to
reduced lung capability and failure.
6. Demographics
Cities have been an attractive place to live for decades, but natural disasters could
change this. As more people move to urban centers, more people will be impacted
by hurricanes, floods, and more. Emergency systems will need to be developed and
enhanced, like New York City's early evacuation plans, which saved thousands of
lives from Hurricane Sandy.
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(Un-cited information from "6 Ways Climate Change Will Aect You" by NatGeo).
Initiatives like the Kyoto Protocol were based on the idea that developing nations
should be able to build their economies to the standard that developed nations have.
But massive international trade growth messed it up, and it allowed nations like China
to grow rapidly while manufacturing goods for developed countries, allowing
companies to move their emissions oshore ("Paris Climate Talks Begin; Five
Reasons Why They Are So Important" by Weather Underground).
1. Air Pollution
Canada
22
United States
Germany
16.5
Sulphur oxides are produced by two-thirds of the nation's sulphur dioxide emissions,
and alongside nitrogen oxide, is a major part of what makes acid rain.
Tropospheric ozone, or smog, can cause shortness of breath and permanent lung
damage, and will reduce crop yields.
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Production and transportation of oil can cause water and land pollution. Oil spills
leave waterways and surrounding shores uninhabitable for years, and result in a loss
of animal and plant life.
3. Thermal Pollution
While burning fossil fuels, energy in the form of heat is produced. Because of the
inecient process, most of the heat is released into the atmosphere or the water
which is used as a coolant.
Rises in sea level, flooding, and droughts will create a requirement for extensive
repairs of houses, transportation systems, and power lines (See "Impacts+Progress").
2. Decrease in Productivity
Disruptions in day-to-day lives will create disruptions, resulting in lost work which will
harm virtually all functions in society. (See "Air Pollution").
Global Warming will increase the amount of migrants due to rising temperatures and
pollution. Mass relocations could lead to civil unrest and a need for more police
ocers and possible military intervention.
(Un-cited information from "Global Warming Eects on the Economy" by the Union of
Concerned Scientists).
Both indoor and outdoor workers, like emergency responders, healthcare workers,
transportation workers, and farmers will be impacted by Climate Change. Workers
could be impacted by conditions that the general public can chose to avoid. Farmers
will be deeply impacted because of the increased use of pesticides and warmer
temperatures ("Climate Change and Occupational Safety and Health" by the CDC).
See "How have these changes impacted the well-being of Canadians?" and "How
has unchecked exploitation of fossil-fuel resources impacted the environment?".
There are many dierent reasons someone might resist change, and although it is
impossible to understand them all, recognizing these issues will raise awareness to
address concerns.
If people don't understand the need for change, they won't. One common reason for
resistance is fear of the unknown, and people will only take steps to help if they feel
that the risks of doing nothing are greater than those of doing something.
When you ask someone do act in a new way, you could be facing someone who is
hard-wired to do something only one way, which they believe is superior.
People who feel that they could be worse o than before are unlikely to give their
support. Similarly if people feel like the change might be in favor of a group who they
don't like (Think: Discrimination Against Minority Groups) you will be faced with anger
and resentment.
(All other information from "Top 12 Reasons Why People Resist Change" by
Meliorate).