An Inconvenient Truth (AIT): Investigation Assignment
The statement “Deaths from global warming will double in just 25 years to 300, 000 people a
year,” found in the movie An Inconvenient Truth, is still supported by a fair amount of evidence. At the current rate of deaths we are at according to an article in 2008 (more than 150, 000 a year), and 5 million mental illnesses taking place annually due to climate change, anything is bound to happen. In fact, an article written in 2009 states climate change is already responsible for 300, 000 deaths a year. It is also affecting 300 million people. Considering the fact that natural disasters are getting worse every year, heat waves, floods, storms, forest fires and such will kill 500, 000 people a year by 2030. If so, it will be considered the biggest humanitarian challenge the world has ever come across. Currently, climate change has affected economic loss by $125 billion a year. By 2030, it is said that climate change will cost $600 billion a year if nothing changes. On the other hand, who’s to speak? It could get better, or it could get worse.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/29/1
http://environment.about.com/b/2008/02/28/global-warming-leads-to-150000-deaths-every-year.htm
Speaking of such vast amounts of money, there is a lot of new technology developing to help deal with or prevent climate change from worsening. For instance, projects in Alberta capture waste heat and convert it into electricity. It is one of the six “industrial energy-efficiency” projects that are earning $27.2 million. All of the projects are valued at $161.4 million. Also, there is the PACC (Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change), funded by the GEF (Global Environment Facility), which is a project that covers 13 Pacific islands to establish three main areas that will “build resilience” to climate change in Pacific countries (food production/security and coastal/water resource management). In terms of low-tech solutions, for people like us, some things we can do to minimize our heat impact on the planet are considering other ways of transportation. For instance, instead of driving a car, ride your bike or walk to your destination. Even taking the bus would do some good. Also, recycling our cans and bottles, and even paper! At home, we can contribute to prevent global warming by monitoring how much energy and electricity we use.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/16/content_11194948.htm
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Alberta+climate+change+projects+million/4362275/story.html
As a community, there are a lot of things we can do to deal with problems associated with climate changes, most of which are not troublesome/inconvenient. One of those things is watching the use of bags when we shop. Instead, why not bring our own reusable tote bags? It’s cheaper, and does far less damage to the environment. Second, instead of buying plastic bottles of water from grocery stores and vending machines (etc.), we can drink water out of a reusable water bottle. As a city, we can try to minimize the amount of electricity and gas we use in vehicles. Replacing our light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs would be a good start. Also, buying locally grown fruits and vegetables at the store. Schools (e.g. Sutherland) can also contribute by walking to school, and consuming less paper in class. Bringing our own food to school is also a good idea. Personally, I feel that our government should be banning plastic bags in grocery stores. Enforcing a charge for them is a start, but people are still going to buy them. The money might go to new global warming projects, but not all of it. Also, I think less vending machines should be placed around the city. As a society, I believe people should be bringing their own food and drinks with them and contributing to prevent global warming/climate change.
http://www.healthy-green-lifestyle.com/reduce-carbon-footprint.html
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