reflection-znt

Taoning Zhang

Dr.Walter

2021/2/8

Why environmental sustainability?

Climate change is one of the most significant aspects affecting human life. This situation

is associated with the adverse effects of the change in the different parts of the world. Aspects

such as global warming have led to the development of climatic catastrophes across the globe.

Every day and often in the dailies and global news, we hear about tragic events associated with

natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, and even drought and famine, where

people die in large numbers the various climatic changes. Such events are experienced due to the

lifestyles maintained in the different regions of the world. Images captured in different media

sources show that the world is doomed and the environment is destroyed. Scientists argue that

human activities are the leading cause of climate change. Is nature tired of human ignorance

associated with the lifestyles they maintain, which cause environmental pollution? Is nature

turning against humans to revenge for the destruction that humans have caused it? What are we

doing to manage the impacts of climate change? Humans are the most intelligent creatures on

earth. Since they are considered the leading cause of climate change, they can also solve the

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climatic problems affecting the universe. Despite the knowledge about the climatic situation and

the possible scientific solutions to the problem, are humans ready to change their lifestyles to

save the planet? Naturally, the environmental forces are considered to be in a state of sustainability. In a

presentation made in the Ted show by Jackson Carpenter about the different steps to cut the

carbon footprint by 60%, he argues that the universe has a natural way of containing its carbon

dioxide through processes like the carbon cycle, which involves a complete cycle of carbon

dioxide between plants, animals and the atmosphere. The carbon cycle is considered to influence

life on earth. Still, the lack of balance between the carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere and

the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere through the carbon cycle is associated with the

greenhouse effect. Climate change is associated with an increase in the volume of carbon gases

in the atmosphere. According to Carpenter, imbalance in the atmosphere's carbon dioxide is

associated with the extinction of different animal species in the late Jurassic period due to the

increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to the development of carbon seas

leading to the development of minerals such as coal. Such events are likely to happen in the

current world If the level of carbon dioxide is not checked to lead to the development of global

warming. Due to this reason, different principles of sustainability need to be applied to ensure

that the condition is mitigated before it worsens. According to scientific research, fossil fuels are the leading cause of global warming and

climate change. This situation is associated with using such fuels in running engines, which are

used for different purposes in human life. Taking transportation, for example, the increased

number of automobiles and flights which use fossil fuels to run their engine make the most

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significant contribution of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In an argument made by Steve

Westlake in 2019, 10% of the earth's population, which comprises the wealthiest individuals on

earth, is responsible for almost half of the world's total carbon dioxide emissions. This level is

associated with the increased use of fossil fuels, which are used in transport activities that entail

both airplanes and vehicles in their daily endeavors. This situation shows how individuals can

have a significant impact on their environment. On the other hand, Carpenter argues that everyday individuals channel volumes of carbon

gases in the atmosphere, putting the risk of running out of oxygen in the atmosphere, leading to

significant impacts. The continuous channeling of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere is

associated with the increasing impacts of climatic changes experienced in the universe. Due to

this reason, individuals should be responsible for the actions they undertake as they play a

significant role in the environment they live in. Different measures have been developed to create awareness of the situation and

influence people to implement the proposed measures To reduce climate change impacts in the

universe. This process includes the utilization of sustainability principles such as conservation of

the ecology, conservation of biodiversity, development of human resources, and public

promotion enhancement. Enhancement of sustainability is the key to solving most of the

environmental problems that are experienced today. Different researchers argue that the situation

is not yet out of hand and can rectify the situation and make the world better again through the

implementation of conservation measures. Carpenter argues that he has researched the impacts of

climate change and its causes over the past ten years. Through his research, he was able to

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identify several steps that can be used to solve the situation. In his speech, he argues that sources

such as atomic energy, ocean tides, gravity, and sunlight can offer clean and alternative energy

sources for a sustainable world. Over the years, such measures are communicated through

different media and various policies implemented. However, there is still overdependence on

fossil fuels as the world is yet to adjust to clean energy due to the lack of adequate resources,

which means that the emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere is still high. The situation is getting worse, and more is yet to be done to ensure that the world is safe

from climate change. Will we continue to sit down and watch nature consume us as it did to the

animal species in the late Jurassic period? Do we still have to wait for the government to

implement the different measures to conserve the environment? More needs to be done to hasten

the transition process or to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. It is the responsibility of every

individual to take part in the process as the climatic change affects all humanity at the same

magnitude. People should take the matter into their hands and become the agents of influence if

they want the situation to be rectified at ease. Carpenter argues that everyone has a responsibility

and a role to play to push for a safe world. He argues that individuals have the power to choose

other sources of energy such as electricity and heat apart from the use of fossil fuels, and this

situation can cut 60% of the carbon emitted in the atmosphere every single day. On the other

hand, Westlake argues that individual activities such as reduced use of transport means such as

flights can significantly reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. This aspect means that

both individuals and groups have a role to play in preventing climate change. From the different arguments mentioned, it is evident that human activities play the most

significant role in developing climatic change and global warming. It is also evident that every

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individual has experienced the impact of climate change in one way or the other. Studies have

also demystified the myth that climatic change is uncontrollable, and this information can be

used to bring hope to those who had given up their hopes in the process. Therefore, it is high

time that every individual should develop a sustainable environment for future generations to

come. Let everyone be an environmental ambassador and spread the message of environmental

conservation to friends and relatives to ensure that every individual participates in the mitigation

process by changing our lifestyles. Through collective efforts, individuals can make great things

happen as our actions are very significant. Let’s change our perception of life and our attitudes

towards what we can accomplish as individuals and embrace sustainability in our daily lives.

Together, we can make the world a better place.

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Works cited Carpenter, Jackson. "Three Steps To Cut Your Carbon Footprint 60% Today". Youtube, 2017,

https://youtu.be/63hAHbkzJG4. Accessed 9 Feb 2021. Westlake, Steve. "Climate Change: Yes, Your Individual Action Does Make A Difference". The

Conversation, 2019, https://theconversation.com/climate-change-yes-your-individual- action-

does-make-a-difference-115169.

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