http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/11/18/climate.change.women/index.html?iref=allsearch
People in Bolivia are beginning to feel the effects of climate change, with women bearing the brunt of the suffering. Most people living in high altitude areas of Bolivia rely on nearby glaciers for water and money, but climate change has caused many of these glaciers to dissapear. The glaciers were the source of a major ski industry that has recently gone belly-up due to the dissapearence of permafrost. The lack of an economy on the mountains has put into effect a massive migration; the men in the families are forced to move to larger cities where jobs are available while the women have to stay home and gather water from far away streams. Due to lack of education and acess to birth control the women have many kids that they have to provide water for, which is becoming increasingly difficult. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is working to assist these women by working to curb climate change in addition to acess to birth control and education.
It just isn’t fair that the poorest people in the poorest parts of the world are forced to bear the brunt of climate change. In my opinion, it is one of the major reasons why not more is done to prevent climate change. The most powerful and wealthiest people in the world hardly notice the affects but they are the ones contributing the most. If anything Is ever to be done in response to climate change the poor people need to find a voice, more affluent people need to help them instead of just being concerned about themselves. Since we are the ones causing the problem it is up to us to help these people through it. With the environmental conference in Copenhagan under way hopefully something will be done to curb carbon emissions world-wide. However, governments aren’t the only things that can make a global difference, by getting involved in grass roots organizations, anyone has the power to make a difference in the world.
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I agree with Nathan in that it isn't fair at all for the poorest places of the world to have to deal with the wealthy's actions. Why should a poor African family have to deal with the consequences of a suburban American family? It isn't right.
ReplyDeleteI concur with the statement that the "poor need to find a voice" but it's a lot easier said than done. The major corporations and governments have far too much power in this world. It'd be nigh impossible for those with money problems to elevate their status in this life.
ReplyDeleteThis goes back to what Mrs. Logsdon was talking about in terms of population control. Education for women is the key in lowering populations and now, it seems like education is also necessary for women to help alleviate global climate change. I also found it interesting that this is occurring in Bolivia. Most of the stories that we hear about are in Africa and Asia since they have monstrous levels of poverty. We tend to forget that poverty is everywhere and therefore, instances like this one can happen all over the world.
ReplyDeleteThis article demonstrates the far-reaching effects of global climate change. Not only has it increased poverty by destroying the ski and tourism industries, but it has changed society. It is unfair that poverty-stricken families, and especially women, have to deal with climate change when they have done virtually nothing to cause it. The wealthier world population has caused most of the environmental problems. While our lives stay mostly unchanged, these women have to deal with the problems of global climate change. I feel like it is the wealthier countries' responsibility to educate these women to help fight population control as well as global warming. Sex education and access to birth control would also improve their quality of life because they would have fewer children to provide for.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Yenling's comment that the key to a higher quality lifestyle in poorer countries lies in better education for women. This article also highlights the differences in cultures and the effect the environment has on them, something that we as Americans need to keep in mind, since most of us don't have to deal with purifying our water, or even finding water every single day for our family.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I believe an increase in education and birth control is good and will make an impact on the problems with populations and ultimately the environment, I think to say that this is the "key" to all of our problem is an overstatement. This should be used as well as other strategies. Just educating the women might make the position better because the areas are still contaminated and men will still want to have a lot of children because its according to tradition and because they want their genes out in the world. Therefore it needs to be a whole transformation of society not just a transformation in one area. You can start by educating women but thats not going to save the day.
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