Blog 9: Environmental Woes Could Reverse Global Development

               The United Nations report on the state of global development stated that due to environmental disasters and climate change, 3.1 billion people could be put into extreme poverty by 2050 unless steps are taken to become more sustainable and prepared. Although things like pollution, climate change, and deforestation are not prejudice, it seems to strike the poorer countries even worse. Specifically in places like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, development in income levels, education levels, and life expectancy will see a sharp decline because of environmental challenges. A prime example was the developing island state, Grenada, after hurricane Ivan. The losses accounted to twice its GDP. When the ecosystem loses out, livelihood opportunities are constrained and an already harsh lifestyle goes from poverty to extreme poverty.

               This article is all too relevant to the current topics we have been discussing; population, environment, and poverty. It is the best explanation for the fact that despite world inequity is declining; a large portion of the population is still impoverished. The article states that by 2030, 80 percent of the world’s population will be living in what is the developing world today. Schuetze then states that because of environmental disasters, those gains are at risk to be slowed or even halted. To take care of the people that inhabit the planet, the planet first has to be taken care of. Just like the Easter Island example, but magnified. If we overshoot our resources, the planets carrying capacity will collapse. 

Breanna Steinke

11/08/13 12:30AM

http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/environmental-woes-could-reverse-global-development/

Blog 6-Britain Looks to Fracking as North Sea Oil Dwindles

               Nations, like the United States, have become self-sufficient in extracting natural gas through a process called fracking. Across the Atlantic Ocean in the European nations however, environmental concerns have been stirred by the hydraulic technique. Recently France upheld its government’s right to ban fracking and in Germany fracking has been suspended until further notice. Britain on the other hand is facing struggles with its energy future because the North Sea oil reserves have become depleted. Before the end of the year a small shale-gas company, IGas, has plans to drill an exploratory well on the edge of a peat bog that geologists say looks promising. British environmental groups widely oppose shale gas fracking despite the benefits compared to coal gas. The groups are concerned not only for unpredicted seismic eruptions but also possible water pollution. Other worries that don’t directly effect the physical environment is that if shale-gas fracking proves to be a success, it will reduce the incentive to invest in renewable energies. Leila Deen, the head of energy policy for Greenpeace in Britain, said, “If you care about climate change, you shouldn’t be looking for new fossil fuels.” (2013) Not only are oil and gas companies finding new fossil fuels but also the government is preparing a favorable tax system for locals that use and support natural gas use, to reward and help overcome opposition from the community. Ian Stewart, mayor of Salford (a city where exploration drilling will be taking place), said that any company that wishes to begin fracking would have to seek separate planning permission.

Despite opposition from the community, elected officials and environmental groups in Britain, the government is supporting the exploratory drilling by IGas. If the drilling proves to be successful the government has prepared tax incentives for those who oppose the use of natural gas through fracking. Although IGas is not a big business gas company, if this process is successful they will be. This may change some aspects of globalization in the oil business. Poland has been open to shale gas exploration and has relied on Russia for most of its resources. If Britain becomes a contender for natural gas, what does that mean for the international trade of natural gas? I also have to think about what Leila Deen brought up, that although natural gas may be cleaner than burning coal, it does not help the fight to reduce greenhouse gases that effect climate change. Why are so many funds allocated towards other fossil fuels instead of the renewable energy sources the planet truly could benefit from?

Breanna Steinke

4:00 PM Oct. 18 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/19/business/energy-environment/britain-looks-to-fracking-as-north-sea-oil-dwindles.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&ref=international-home&adxnnlx=1382124237-kAW%20Z/WZsziQZTHh8RcOyw

Blog 3: Climate Panel Says Upper Limit on Emissions Is Nearing

   

        The issue with Global Warming in the past has been a matter of reality, but finally due to extensive research, the acceptance that human activity has increased this process is finally starting to stick. The intergovernmental panel, the scientific body from which most governments are advised about global warming, issued five major reports; each of them identifying human activity has a primary cause for global warming. One report actually assigns a percentage, 90-100, that global warming is human-caused. Journalist, Justin Gillis, then reviews the reports for the "carbon budget". This states that by 2040 the trillionth ton of carbon will have been released if emissions continue at their current pace. These emissions are directly linked to industrial factories and forest destruction. These carbon emissions increase the greenhouse effect that leads to ice caps melting, rising sea levels, warming of the atmosphere, and in some cases extreme weather. A scientist at Oxford University, Dr. Myles R. Allen, reports that making changes to decrease our carbon emissions is technically possible but doesn't think that organizations will comply because the applications can be expensive. Despite efforts like the Kyoto Protocol, that sought to limit global emissions (not signed by either China or the United States), efforts still continue. Obama announced his intentions for limiting emissions under the Clean Air Act, that would require the industries that continue to burn coal for electricity to develop technology for cleaner emissions. Rising efforts have renewed hope for other countries and have pointed toward hopes for a global climate treaty in 2015.

          When global warming became a political issue, it also became a social one. Not only are scientists the ones supporting efforts to limit carbon emissions but so are the everyday citizens. Efforts like protests and buying from companies that also support the cause has become major trends. This idea has even affected the fashion world through the "ecofashion" or green fashion in which iconography that supports a cleaner world is shown through t-shirts, buttons, bags, etc. The main point is that advocating for a cleaner planet cannot just be a phase and it is going to take society to deem it unacceptable for some serious influence on the industries that are causing these carbon emissions.


Breanna Steinke
September 27 2013
11:00AM
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/28/science/global-climate-change-report.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=global-home