Assistant professor, Dr. Sovacool presented about the response to climate change by both institutional and individual. He focused more on the solutions for sectors involving energy supply and usage as it is the main cause of greenhouse gas emission.
Institutional actions for climate stabilization are actions by the governments, cabinets and congress to solve climate change. To control the energy supply, they can reduce the subsidies for fossil fuel and giving subsidies to clean energy producers. They can also limit the number of cars on the road by implementing taxes and fees on purchase of vehicles. Besides that, limiting number of driving days and encourage the use of public transport facilities or non-motorized forms of transport can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. He also mentions several other methods that can be implement in sectors such as buildings, industries, agricultures and waste management.
As for what individuals can do, they can eat locally grown food and reduce the amount of meat they consume. Besides that, they can reduce the use of energy at home by using energy saving products and not to waste energy usage unnecessary. In addition, one can practice a more environmentally friendly lifestyle such as reuse, reduce, and recycle of materials that would cause pollution to the environment.
In conclusion, institutions can regulate the laws but it is still up to the individuals to make the difference by educating themselves and others to take actions to solve the climate change issues.
There is one part of the lecture on brief political summary of climate change which can be included. Emission of Greenhouse gas can be viewed politically. In terms of country, most of the top ten greenhouse gas contributors are from Asia. When based on carbon footprint per capita, countries with higher gross national product (GNP) like United States and Australia tops the list. For the institutional and individual response, it may be better to write them in terms of their groupings followed by listing some significant examples.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that solving climate change issue depends on all individuals. Although there are various factors which affects climate, the main source of climate change is human activities. Thus, it is essential to reduce the strength of this source, and the best way is by educating people the feedback from environment due to their activities. It is more important for an individual to be environmental friendly in any activity after the understanding of climate change. (Doing the right things other than knowing what is right or wrong) As individuals of nations become more active and conscious about the environment, it allows the actions from institutions to be more efficient.