This is the last entry you can comment on for late March to late April.
It is often
argued that the global warming and its effects constitute the most significant
crisis that the world is now facing. Is
putting boots on the ground a good way to help slow climate change or
mitigate its effects? Should tax monies
be devoted to this? Do you agree with
the author that the Biden administration’s program should be even more
extensive? Should the EU or Slovakia do
something like this? Would you join the
climate corps?
I would say that the American Climate Corps (ACC) is an interesting idea. It alone is not going to solve the climate change problem, but from a long-term perspective, this initiative will undoubtedly raise further awareness about global warming and teach people more about sustainability and renewable energy.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am not sure about is what kind of jobs this initiative is going to include and whether one could make a career out of it. The article mentions installing solar panels, and while I do think that this kind of job is important, I am not sure if one could make a living with $15 per hour if done full-time. I think that there definitely needs to be some kind of a career path so that people can make progress in their careers and earn more the more knowledge and skills they have. If people are to choose these career paths, they need to have more than just a nice feeling that they are contributing to some good cause – they have to be sure that they will get paid enough money to live comfortably.
Despite this problem, I like the notion and hope that in the following years, the administration will put more focus and money into improving the initiative. I believe that this is only the beginning and that there is much space to grow. Nevertheless, this seems like a good start and I would say that more countries should consider this idea and at least discuss whether they might be able to implement something similar.
In addition, while the initiative is not yet something that might greatly influence climate change, at least from my perspective, it definitely can serve as inspiration for other countries to invent some better solutions. I think that progressivity is something that the world currently needs right now so that we can successfully adapt to change and tackle the climate crisis. The problems associated with global warming such as hotter temperatures, more intense wildfires, and rising sea levels, are getting more prevalent and worse. For example, the 2023 wildfire season had the most area burned in Canada’s recorded history. It was roughly twice the size of Portugal. I believe that it is high time that society does something about climate change and global warming.
- Oliver T.
Personally, I agree with the argument that global warming poses as one of the greatest risks to human wellbeing, with its impact proving to be devastating in many cases across the world already. Despite the thought behind the ACC being inherently positive and the initiative seeming to be an optimistic way to “help save the planet”, while reading I could not help but think the extent to which the ACC would act as a bandaid or distraction from the root causes of global warming, such as burning of fossil fuels, farming livestock or deforestation. While the externalities this program would create would be prosperous to society, mainly in creating additional jobs, I think that there are ulterior methods in which taxpayer money could be invested to have a greater impact. I do agree with the author on the matter of expanding the program. Such as program can act as the first step in helping to minimise the consequences we await and I think that any progress, no matter how surface level, should be valued. The initiative is a shift in the right direction, but the execution should be reconsidered to maximise the effectiveness the idea can yield.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the funding of the program, I can understand the backlash that would arise with the usage of tax money for its support. Many people do not see battling climate change as a priority that should be focused on, especially when immediate economic concerns or other pressing social issues take are discussed publicly. However, it's crucial to recognize that investing in climate action is not just about preserving the environment but also about protecting public health, promoting economic stability, and ensuring the well-being of future generations. Therefore, I believe that effective education about the interconnectedness of climate change with various aspects of human life are necessary to gain public support.
By extension, I do think that it would be prosperous for the EU and Slovakia to commence such a program. Especially in Slovakia it could help provide socially disadvantaged communities by providing them with jobs, while also educating the public about the severity of the issue at hand. However, for such a program to be placed into action I believe that it would require a mandate from the EU, as solving climate change is not one of the top priorities of the country at the moment.
Veronika, I agree with you that many people might not support the funding of the program because of their belief that climate change is not an important issue. I also agree that something should be done about educating these people on the issue. I would say that before fully implementing such a program, it is needed that more money is invested into propagating the issue so that people actually start to care. I think it is important to show people the extent of the problems that global warming has already caused, such as rising temperatures and an increase in extreme weather events, and also the forecasts for the future. People should become more aware of the areas that have already been heavily hit by global warming and of the problems that they now have to face. If nothing is done on the issue, and countries such as China continue with their heavy contribution to climate change, then it is only a question of time before all countries feel the effects of global warming and that is likely going to be too late to change it back.
Delete- Oliver T.