Please answer the following questions:
1) Is a documentary like this effective in getting across environmental points to the public? Why or why not?
2) a. Why do you think that the issue of global climate change is so difficult for people to grasp/understand?
b. There is a plethora of evidence for climate change, yet people keep finding ways to try to de-validate the scientific evidence. Some people even attempt to state that human actions have no influence or do not contribute to climate change. Why is it so easy for people to be dissuaded about the facts that are present?
3) What do you feel/think about climate change?
4) What do you feel is society's responsibility when it comes to pollution and climate change? How do we act upon this?
The above questions must be answered no later than Friday midnight
1) Yes, because it does so in a visual way-the only objection I have is that while it’s available on netflix, it doesn’t really look too exciting to the general public judging by the title ‘chasing ice’ and the cover. It’s not a mainstream film-it’s a beautifully shot nature doc, but that’s not usually what ends up in theatre.
ReplyDelete2)a) It’s hard to see the effects of global climate change, especially in regards to the long term, because most people don’t live in the long-term. We’ve also built so many accommodations (AC, water pipes, irrigation, heaters) that we can somewhat buffer ourselves from the effects of changing climate. Only people who actively have to interact with the environment daily (as fishermen or by living near the ocean) will notice these changes, and many people in first world countries can afford NOT to. So many of us find it easy to distance ourselves from things that don’t directly impact us.
b) because the idea of climate change can be somewhat overpowering, and really frightening for a lot of people. So they choose ignorance, or else they would be compelled to do something, and that’s hard.
3) I think it IS very frightening, and that really, as a world, we aren’t paying it the heed it needs to be given. But I also understand that as people we have a habit of ignoring problems until they become too pressing to ignore, affect us directly, or gloriously bite us in the ass. Eventually climate change will bring changes to everyone’s life, I just hope we can make the necessary changes by this time. I understand it’s also easy to just forget about it and maybe make small changes, and forget about the larger issue. Yet, living gripped in fear is useless-one must be motivated to action.
4) At the forefront, we must make the correct legislation. But on an individual level, everyone can try. Buy electric cars, and advocate for the changes that must occur in regards to policy. Vote to elect people to senate that beleive in climate change. Individuals have to make sure to temper their consumption and carbon footprint, and decide what small changes they are willing to make.
1. This documentary is extremely effective at getting across environmental points because rather than just giving facts and statistics it actually shows the changes that are happening and explains why it's a problem. With a lot of documentaries there tends to be bias, but Chasing Ice really shows you which makes it hard not to believe.
ReplyDelete2a. Climate change is hard for people to grasp and understand because it's something that isn't really tangible. We don't really see or feel the way it effects us and when we feel like things don't directly effect us we tend to just ignore it.
2b. People don't want to take responsibility for their actions, people also don't want to change their ways. Again, if they don't believe it will negatively impact them then they don't really care.
3. I think it's really annoying/frustrating/sad that there has been evidence of climate change for so long and yet humans haven't done much at all to help or try to reverse climate change. Especially after seeing a documentary like chasing ice it's just really annoying that there are still people who don't believe it's even happening. The facts are there and we need to be doing something about it and establishing policies and stopping the use of fossil fuels and other things like that.
4. It's society responsibility to see that we have made a mistake a try to fix it, like we really need to stop with the fossil fuels. We can't just leave it to other generations to fix because then eventually it will be too late and like it kinda already is too late. WE NEED THE GOVERNMENT TO STOP PRETENDING LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE ISN"T HAPPENING because then they could make like laws and policies and stuff.
1) Indeed. Rather than delivering an information-packed film which serves only to add images and sad music to what is really just a dense persuasive essay (which tends to be a turn-off for many viewers), this documentary focuses in on one extremely important story about the effects of climate change instead, woven in with the personal journey of the people behind it. The glacier chasing project got a ton of attention worldwide because of how it so effectively visualized the consequences at hand, which we would never be exposed to otherwise. It was easy to understand and empathize with.
ReplyDelete2a) The effects of climate change tend to happen on a global scale over a global period of time. Rather, like the receding of the glaciers, any tangible changes to the planet will occur so slowly that we simply don´t see it as the urgent and rapidly snowballing issue it is. That is where documentaries like this step in, to deliver the actual magnitude of the situation in a way we can actually conceptualize and understand, using our sorts of time scales.
2b) Civilizations are so far removed from natural environments that we just lack exposure to what is happening out there. The polar ice caps are melting, but we won´t see why that´s such a bad thing until the three-meter ocean level rises up to meet us where we are, nevermind the habitat loss for polar bears (a direct impact), or the potential loss or relocation of cold-tolerant species, the proliferation of heat-tolerant species across the globe, or anything along those lines. Naturally, anyone who specifically has a stake in climate change being an issue that is ignored will also actively work against facts and legislation which back it up (notably companies which work in fossil fuels, or people who want to be able to pollute limitlessly, and so on and so forth). This has been a major inhibitor in public action against the progressive climate change we see happening - one thing that scared me in the documentary was one quote which said that the debate over climate change has really been over for years, but the public still thinks it´s happening because of this vocal minority. It´s wasting valuable time.
3) I feel like that´s been made fairly obvious by now in my responses, but I´ve been well convinced of its existence and the weakness of the arguments opposing it for years. It´s vital that we recognize the effects of our actions, and the amount of influence that humankind has over the planet´s ecosystems and balance, and adjust our society, behaviors, actions, and so on accordingly. It´s frustrating to know that that hasn´t happened yet.
4) It´s society´s responsibility to have a full understanding of the impacts of how our civilizations operate currently, and make changes in order to lessen any negative consequences. We do well in some respects with regards to governing organizations such as the EPA on a national level, and legislative actions such as the CITES agreement on a global scale, but further global understanding and cooperation in this initiative is necessary to attempt to reverse the effects of the climate change that will inevitably impact us all - and this begins with the end of ignoring what´s actually happening out there.
1) I think that this documentary does an amazing job at getting the point across. It gives the people actual video proof of what's happening. This documentary also showed how quickly it's all happening. Ice is melting and in return sea levels are rising. This movie shows how important glaciers are to the environment, in that they show that global warming is an issue and how we should look at how fast it's affecting us.
ReplyDelete2) A: I don’t think that people can grasp the fact that we are the problem. What I mean by that is businesses want more money and if they have to change their ways that's going to cost them. Companies don’t want to pay that money off. So they create campaigns and convince large numbers of people to follow so that they don’t have to change and spend more money.
2) B: This is kind of like answer A for me. But I also believe that people have a hard time believing what side to be on. In this world of technology there are so many opinions that I could see how people would be confused as to what's going on.
3) Personally I believe that climate change is a huge problem and I believe that with the right steps we can solve it. I am also in a lot of support of the company tesla. I think that what tesla is doing is going to push us forward in the world. They are making efficient electricity affordable. I believe that what they do can save the planet.
4) I feel that we as a society should be taking the steps to create a cleaner planet. We need to convince our government to convert to more clean and efficient ways of living.
I think a documentary like this does help some people understand these environmental concepts, but the type of people who would watch a documentary on this topic would care about the topic and possible already know the environmental concepts. It does provide a lot of information to the people who watch it but if the goal of the video is to provide info to the entire population I do not think it meets that goal. The people who would watch the video are not the people who need to watch the video.
ReplyDelete2b. I think the biggest reason people do not understand global climate change is that it does not affect their everyday life. Another part is that something like greenhouse gases are invisible and it is hard for some people to comprehend something that they cannot see. If the person lives out in the country in somewhere like the United States they have never felt the affects of climate change. They won’t notice a two degree temperature change and everyday weather remains basically the same regardless of climate change. For some it is also hard to understand how a two degree temperature change could have such a large impact. Many people won’t have to deal with water shortages and crop shortages, and the rising sea level and climate change won’t have much of an effect on their everyday life. For people in Africa who are struggling just to stay alive, they are not worried about a 2-3 degree temperature change and are focused on the next day, not something way down the road. The reason people are able to ignore the scientific evidence so much is that for some people they have been told all their lives that it is a myth and is a way for certain groups to make money. Thus they don’t trust the scientific evidence and would rather look for voices arguing what they already believe. Then they are constantly being told it is not real and simply can ignore all the dissenting arguments. For others the fight against climate change has taken their job and feel that nothing can justify it, and they blame the people posting the scientific data for their living situation and ignore them.
3. I think that climate change is a huge issue that will have a big impact later in my life and that if nothing happens now it will be harder to solve in the future. It is a very complex issue and there is no clear solution to the issue. I feel like society should try to fix the problem but with many solutions many people including myself would feel more of an effect from the policy itself in everyday life than I would from climate change for many years. In general I say it is a big issue that needs to be fixed but once it is on me to lose something or give up something I would struggle to do it. I know that in a couple decades climate change could have a huge effect on my life but is still hard to give up something now to solve something that is so long away.
4. As I mentioned above I feel like society should solve the problem since it is what caused it in the first place. It is very hard to act on this because so many different groups are involved. There are countries like India and China who are using coal to help develop their country and increase the standard of living if their citizens. The best way I can think of solving this issue is to pour an enormous amount of money into research into wind/solar energy and electric cars. If wind and solar energy are cheaper than coal and oil, and electric cars are comparable to normal cars than climate change would slow down a lot and help solve the issue.
Yes this documentary was effective. The fact that the photographer was outside going through these very real experiences instead of speaking in hypotheticals was the main reason for this. The evidence for James Balog’s point is right there in the time lapses. This makes it hard to dispute.
ReplyDeleteA & B: Unfortunately it is an issue that’s been wrapped up with political tension and other polarizing issues (I can’t speak for other countries this is just what I’ve observed in America). Many people recognize the impending issue of climate change, but refuse to make necessary changes to refute it. Others dismiss climate change as part of the “liberal agenda” I think it is difficult for people to grasp when they don’t feel like global warming is currently affecting them. A lot skeptics will say that they don’t see a temperature change in their day to day lives, so it must not exist. However, it’s hard to argue with science and the evidence behind climate change is all there.
My views on climate change align with what the scientific data suggests. Climate change is a very real, prevalent issue. I would argue that it is the most prevalent current issue because if we don’t take care of the planet and end up destroying it, nothing else would matter at all. The fact that it is ignored for political agendas is infuriating. We as a country, and world need to start giving it the attention it deserves.
Before anything truly beneficial can happen, climate change needs to be recognized for the serious problem that it is. We need a shift in perspective and this will lead to the call to action that can make a real change. The responsibility of the people who research and know of climate change is to spread the word and the data that has been collected. This is the first step. Climate change needs to be separated from politics until it is presented in a more accurate light.
1.) Yes, it shows the general public the beauty of nature and gives them a reason to care about the environment. It’s nice that a film like this exists, but the title isn’t too eye catching to the general public- which is the only thing that’s wrong with it.
ReplyDelete2.) a.) It’s hard for people to understand/care about climate change just from data and statistics. In order to really become aware of the effects of climate change, you have to go out into nature and see them for yourself.
b.) People don’t like to think that they’re part of the problem, and to counter that they like to say that there was no problem to begin with. People tend to do this a lot with climate change because if they actually accepted that it’s an issue, they would probably feel compelled to change their way of living- which is a lot of work.
3.) Knowing about climate change has definitely altered almost everything I do in my everyday life. I try to buy most of my food from local farmer’s markets, buy clothes from second hand stores, reuse containers, etc. I even decided to major in environmental science because of it. It’s terrifying how people are still staying ignorant about it even though there’s so much evidence proving its existence.
4.) It’s everyone’s responsibility to stop being ignorant and open their eyes to the problem that’s in front of them- especially the government. We’re never going to be able to reverse, or even slow the effects of climate change if people in the White House aren’t even allowed to say “climate change” and big officials constantly dismiss it as a hoax. The government needs to stop pretending like climate change isn’t a thing, and start making laws and policies surrounding pollution.
I think this an extremely good way to show climate change. It is powerful because you are able to see in pictures, which is easier to conceptualize. I think that people are able to be really affected with a video that shows evidence, not just spew facts. I think that it was effective for me because it really scared me to think about the world without glaciers.
ReplyDelete2a I think that because it is such a scary idea, people decide to just ignore it. It is a huge problem, that instead of doing something to help, people decide to block it out of their mind. Some politicians decide to ignore or deny change because the are backed by the oil or coal industry. I think that because we, as a consumer culture, use so much energy, a lot of people are unwilling to change their ways.
B I think that more people know that climate change is happening than admit it. People are overwhelmed with the daunting problem that is climate change. There are so many other issues in the world right now, and it can be hard to figure out what one person can do.
3) I think that climate change is real and man-made. It is scary and yet so daunting. I often feel like there is nothing that I can do, and yet I believe that it is the biggest problem facing the world today.
4)I believe that people should educate themselves. I think that is the biggest thing that people can do. Making small choices that help the environment, can really make a difference. Eating less meat, buying less things, and eating locally are all things that you can do. I think that we are need to work together to lower are footprint.
1. I would not say that it was a very effective film in getting across the reason why we should care about climate change. I don’t think that someone who does not believe in climate change would be very moved by glaciers melting. What seems more moving in my opinion would be the human impact such as small islands like the country of Tuvalu that is becoming submerged in water and will not even be inhabitable in 50 years. Another point of concern are the bees that are going extinct that are integral to pollinate plants and keep them alive. Glaciers melting are certainly a concern but they are not a very personal conflict.
ReplyDelete2. I think that a lot of people believe that climate change is happening, but they don’t want to believe that it is a consequence of human impact as well as a critical issue of our time. The two main contributers to the greenhouse effect, fossil fuels and animal industry, have been so engraved in our culture that it is hard for people to change their ways. Fossil fuels are extremely subsidized that it is hard for any other energy source to compete. Politicians and big companies see climate change as something that hinders economic growth because it tends to be more costly to not exploit the environment. Here and now is more important to politicians and corporations than the future so they do not choose to think sustainably. Above all I don’t think that there is any simple switch that will save our planet and attacking climate change is such a daunting task to most.
2b. A lot of people are very scared of the reality. Sometimes I even question myself that I am wasting my time on a cause that might not even matter in my lifetime and I don’t even have the time to worry about it. I think a lot of people choose to avoid it. There are also so many other issues in this world like war, racism, and sexism that are a lot more personal issues than the environmental movement. Once again, caring for the environment is a blockade for economic growth. It is very hard to make a lifestyle change like not eating meat.
3. I feel very passionate about trying to stop climate change. I am vegan so I have chosen to live a lifestyle that does not contribute to CO2 levels. I know that there is a lot more that I should do besides not eating animal products but it’s hard to get motivated and it is very frustrating at the same time because you can’t tell anyone that they need to do more to help the environment. They kind of need to make decisions on their own. A lot of the times I feel overwhelmed about the issue. I think getting educated in environmental science is a step in the right direction. Education is very impactful and is a good place to start on the matter. It is also very overwhelming when politicians shoot down environmental policies. I think the more we talk about it as well, the more we will see a difference.
4. Society has all the responsibility on the matter of climate change. Humans are the most intelligent beings on the planet and we’ve done all the damage so there is no doubt that we need to clean up our mess. Large corporations are also to blame for the mess because they are greedy and do not care about the long term effects of their business decisions. As consumers it is our role to stand up for the planet and against corporations exploiting. The wealthier people on our planet have more of a responsibility because their basic needs are met and they have the money to live sustainably. They have a role to help those less fortunate that cannot afford the time or money to live sustainably. Ways we can act upon this is eat less animal products, invest in renewable energy sources, reduce, reuse, recycle, and educate others about causes that are changing the environment.
1. I think that documentaries like this are effective to a certain degree. They are effective when shown to a certain audience, such as people who are interested in environmental issues and, generally liberal ideals (I know that this is stereotyping political views and things like that, but for the sake of this example, it is the best term to fit with my point.) This style documentary usually hits home with people who are interested in environmental issues, and want to take action to help stop climate change. They are not so effective when it comes to the percent of the population that does not believe in climate change. The only reason that I say this is that when someone who identifies with this group is offered the chance to see a documentary such as this they will most likely choose to not watch it. If they were forced to watch this style of documentary, then they may begin to change their views on climate change, but if they were asked to watch it at their own free will, it would most likely not have any effect since they would most likely choose not to watch it.
ReplyDelete2. I think that people push away things that they do not totally understand and that scares them. They push away problems that they do not want to deal with and that they think they are not adding to/making worse. It is so hard for people because they are too scared to address problems that they may be contributing to, and climate change is no exception. Many people push it away because they do not understand that their actions do contribute to the destruction of our planet, and they just don’t want to address the problem that we are causing as a society because it is “too hard.”
B. Many people can push away climate change as a hoax because they do not see it for themselves. If they cannot physically see it for themselves they decide that it is not real. Another reason so many people believe that climate change is not real is because that is what their government representatives say. If they cannot see it for themselves, and their government rep. says that it isn’t real, it must not be, right? To strengthen this point, climate change is often brushed under the rug by government officials. For instance, during all of those presidential election debates, never once did Trump or Hillary talk about climate change. People don’t want to believe that it is real because it never gets talked about, and when it does, their representatives either say that it is not real, or they do not believe that the data is coming from a credible source.
ReplyDelete3. Honestly, I am going to keep this short, because I am very passionate about this topic. I think that climate change is very real, and a huge problem that we as a whole population are not addressing. I think that this documentary is strong proof of what is happening in the world because or our actions. Climate change is real and we need to address it sooner than later, before it is too late to stop this sinking ship that is our planet.
4. We, as a whole society, need to address climate change and pollution. We cannot begin to fix these problems until we, as a whole, address the fact that they are real. We need to address climate change/pollution, find the best ways to address these problems, and begin to do things differently to save our planet. We have already begun to address these issues, but only certain parts of the population, not all of it. Before we can do anything as a whole, we need to believe as a whole that climate change is real. I have said as a whole a lot in this answer, but that is one of the biggest things about addressing what we have done and are continuing to do to our planet, is that everyone needs to believe that climate change is real, not just the people with “liberal views.” Once we address what we have done, then we will be able to save the planet.
1.While I do not think this film would be able to convince someone who was a wholehearted non-believer in climate change to shift their stance to one more favorable to acceptance of the scientific evidence today, I do think that it is effective in erasing at least some of the doubts in the minds of those who are on the fence. The people who ardently deny the scientific evidence they are presented with proving climate change are 1. not going to watch this movie and 2. not going to accept these facts just because they are presented to them in a slightly different form. However, those who are not completely against the idea of climate change as a fact could be convinced of its severity by this film. As James Balog says, mathematical modeling and plain, bland statistics may be enough to make some people aware of the problem, but they are not enough to cause an emotional response in people or to convince them that all the “drama” being created by scientists and activists today is really equivalent to the harsh implications of climate change. This film provides this group with images that can be easily understood and create a poignant response in the viewer. It is this response that can truly convert a nonbeliever.
ReplyDelete2.a.One of the main problems with the acceptance of climate change is that for many, it seems too intangible to mentally grasp its magnitude. Day to day life goes on, with little alteration due to the changes brought about by human interference in the environment. Global climate change happens gradually and is not something that can be observed, and humans often have trouble believing that which they cannot see (with a few exceptions of the religious variety, but science is most definitely not religion).
b.Many people honestly do not think that climate change will affect them. It hasn’t seemed as though it has affected them to this point, and scientists have been claiming it's been going on for years, so why would that change now? For others, they may realize that something is going on, but either do not believe that it is really all that bad or they choose to ignore the problem because addressing it would be disadvantageous for them (at least in the short term).
3.I am endlessly hopeful that climate change will become a universally accepted concept, but at the same time I am well aware of humanity’s propensity to ignore the obvious if it is within their own best interest or if remaining ignorant protects them from having to worry about the possible consequences of their actions. It is incredibly frustrating to see the facts laid out for everyone to see, and yet many still deny its severity.
4.Everyone has the responsibility of fixing their mistakes, and this includes society as a whole. As the main cause of climate change, it is thus our responsibility to fix what we have broken, not only to save ourselves, but out of an obligation we owe to the planet that sustains us and the other species who live with us and often feel the effects of our actions much more strongly than we do. It is unconscionable that the rich continue to make conditions worse for the poorer, disadvantaged parts of the world, and these inequities must stop. The first step to take is making sure as many people as possible are properly educated on the effects and causes of climate change and what they themselves can do to mitigate their personal contributions. The next is to take on climate change at a legislative level. Hopefully this will produce laws that can start to limit our impact and start the slow process of letting our planet heal.
1.Yes, because it shows the dramatic changes instantly to the audience. Also it gets the message of urgency as well.
ReplyDelete2a. Some people do not know much about the environment, or the fact that the change isn't as instant as other issues are.
2b. Many people choose to ignore, or place the blame on other people or things. People do not like to be blamed for large problems.
3. I know that climate change is real, and it needs to be addressed by everyone, otherwise there won't be a way to recover.
4. I feel it is societies responsibility to take care of the environment no matter what.
I think this documentary very easily got the point across through a various means of making the audience care. They did a great job at bringing the audience into the story of the photographer/scientist and his struggle to capture the glaciers and their changes.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that people, deep down know that the atmosphere's temp is increasing and what we release into the atmosphere correlates with the acceleration of that. Ultimately they refuse to accept this because for those big money CEOs, who practically control the energy markets of the world, there is too much to lose. Simultaneously, these are the same people who look at the problem as one that's not theirs. Temp change won't directly affect their lives so why should they care?
I think that climate change is an inevitable process. Nature and biology is constantly reforming, dividing, and creating. Along with that, scientists have proven that the earth, for billions of years has gone through Ice Ages (where most of the earth was covered with ice) while in other periods the ice rapidly succeeded. To say that the climate isn't changing is just plain stupid, but to blame it on humans alone is equally dumb. However, I agree that the acceleration of hotter climates can be attributed to human pollution.
The solution, just as the video was doing, is to get the greater public to visually understand what's happening. Seeing, for many, is believing. After a majority of the major polluting nations can get to a consensus about the urgency of the issue, a plan needs to formulated in such a way that can effectively transform global energy efficiency. In the future I hope we get to a 100% renewable energy system.
1) In most debates about climate change, complex numbers, scientific processes, and computer simulations are used to prove climate change and it’s dramatic effects. However in a documentary like this is effective in getting across environmental points to the public, because of its effective use of evidence. In most debates about climate change, complex numbers, scientific processes, and computer simulations are used to prove climate change and its dramatic effects. These methods are effective, yet confusing and do not get their point across to the public. However, in this documentary the environmental points are made using simple and easy to understand evidence; pictures. This not only puts it into perspective but also makes it so the reader grips the concepts behind why change is occurring. The public can clearly see the dramatic effects of climate change, showing the effectiveness of the documentary in getting their point across.
ReplyDelete2) I strongly believe that a lot of people believe that climate change is happening, but they don’t want to believe that it is a consequence of human impact as well as a critical issue of our time. This is due to human nature and the vast context of the problem at hand. The two main contributors to the greenhouse effect, fossil fuels and animal industry, have been so engraved in our culture that it is hard for people to change their ways. Fossil fuels are extremely subsidized that it is hard for any other energy source to compete. Politicians and big companies see climate change as something that hinders economic growth because it tends to be costlier to not exploit the environment. Here and now is more important to politicians and corporations than the future so they do not choose to think sustainably. Above all I don’t think that there is any simple switch that will save our planet and attacking climate change is such a daunting task to most.
2.B People are so easily dissuaded because when they learn about what is causing the climate change they are in denial and don't want to believe that it is partially their fault. People enjoy their current life styles, and some say they want to make a change to protect the climate, they aren't fully willing to because they don't want to give up their current luxuries such as cars, even though it's the only way we can reduce pollution and global warming as a population. The social and economic changes required are so large and go so deep that many people feel like we can’t really do this or we don’t know how to do this. The other aspect falls on the very nature of humans species. We tend to fabricate allusions for ourselves that everything will be alright because there is or has always been someone their looking our for us. The problem with an issue this large is it falls on everyone’s shoulders.
3) I feel climate change is a very real problem that humans are immensely effecting. By driving our cars everywhere, consuming/producing mass goods, transporting products all around the world, using mas amounts of electricity, etc. we are adding so much more carbon emissions than ever before. I feel if we don't change how we live soon, the world will change dramatically from what we know of it today and by then it will be too late to do anything to help. The fact of the matter is that although we know a lot about this subject real change can only be achieved if we alter our mindset from the defensive individualistic and shift our focus to a cooperative group mindset.
4) As far as society is concerned I feel as though it is a double-edged sword. It has the power to make good positive changes as we have seen in the past. However, it is also capable of mass market manipulation, both in a consumer since and a ecological level. The ugly truth is that much of the “adult” population lacs the wherewithal to think critically or function on a broader level. Disregarding instant gratification for long term gain is not something we humans are exactly known for.
1.I would definitely say it is. Generally proof for climate change is conveyed through statistics and scientific studies, which can be overwhelming or just not easy to understand. In this case you see a real person, who originally was sceptical about climate change himself, show the audience what it actually looks like visually. This proof is very difficult to argue with.
ReplyDelete2.A. The main issue, I think, with people understanding that climate change is real is how it has become a politicized issue. Promoted by many a liberal politician, and usually presented through statistics, graphs, and other difficult to digest means makes it seem like it’s an arguable issue only for the liberal elite who can spend time worrying about the polar bears.
2.B. Climate change seems like a very nebulous issue that is in our future if it happens at all, so it’s easy for people who are disconnected with the natural world to see it as fake.
Whether this is people who live in an urban area, and therefore do not see the changes in the natural world, or people who live somewhere that is in natural world that is until unchanged, there are many ways to take the flawed evidence of your eyes as more reliable than facts.
3.Personally, I was raised with climate change as a fact, and as an issue that we are responsible for and can do stuff about. The only aspect of my view about climate change that has been altered as I have become more educated about it is that I have a greater understanding about the extent to which we have screwed up the environment, how much we need to fix it, and how unlikely that is to actually happen.
4. I think we have complete responsibility to do all we can to right this wrong. I think this responsibility lies with every nation, every government, every corporation, and every person. With the politicization of climate change and pollution, especially in the United States where it’s apparently considered un american to have clean water, it is much more difficult for there to be legislation which requires citizens and corporations to be held responsible, which means it’s down to every individuals personal decisions. The most important first step is to acknowledge that we are all responsible, yes even if you drive a fancy electric car or eat kale all the time or whatever, there’s always more you can do and more you should do.
(1) I believe that documentaries like the Chasing Ice are effective in across environmental points to the public. When describing Climate Change, scientists often use graphs, tables, and simulations, and confusing numbers to describe the effect of climate change. For critics and non believers, these numbers can seem complicated and arbitrary. The visual uses of photos taken over time displaying the receding glaciers in different parts of the world is much easier to comprehend and helps provide proof. The documentary uss easy to understand words and terms and let the visuals do the work.
ReplyDelete(2) a&b. For most people, it can be hard to understand the effect of climate change because they are not being directly impacted by it. In the next 50 years we will most likely see a drastic shift in opinion because more large cities like Miami, Tokyo, and New Orleans, etc will become directly affected by rising ocean levels and most dramatic weather conditions. Until then though, it can be easy to ignore. As well, for many like large corporations and lobbyist, climate change is not something they want to publicly agree with because it will hurt their business. This is true will many oil companies. So facts found by scientist will be not payed attention to and suppressed in order to keep the data away from the public. As well, interest groups will provide their own data that is usually completely incorrect, publish it, and then be in contradiction to the published climate change data made by scientists. This confusing in data and facts can cause many people skeptical of climate change in the first place to use the poorly done data in order to believe what they want to believe.
(3) I believe that climate change is an undeniable fact and one that can not be disputed. It really sad and disappointing that there are still so many people who still don't believe in climate change even after ton and tons of facts and studies have been produced to prove the effects of climate change. In general, it's selfish to not at least look into the hard facts surrounding climate change because it is something that can be lessened and will effect generations to come.
(4) I feel like society holds all the responsibility when it comes to pollution and climate change. In the end, humans were the ones who first kicked off the drastic effects of pollution and climate change during the industrial revolution. Now, after for much research has been done, it is essential that countries put aside their differences and work together to try and end climate change and pollution. As well, it is important that individually people begin to change their ways. Little things like recycling more, being aware of their trash consumption, eating locally, and simply using cold water to wash their clothes rather than hot. Little things done on a wide scale can cause big changes.
This documentary was about as effective as something can be in making environmental points and getting the public to care about them. The truly excellent cinematography captures the ice caps’ beauty in a way that evokes a need to protect and preserve it and even scares us into action by showing that this beauty is so rapidly disappearing.
ReplyDeleteIn bustling urban areas, the effects of climate change are drowned out by the busyness of the urban lifestyle. Our society is moving at a faster and faster pace, so much so that we don't pay nearly as much attention to our environment as we should. The environment is changing fast, but itś slow enough to where it only subtly impedes on our fast paced daily lives. But at the rate weŕe going, it won't be long before it affects us BIG time.
The people who are that easily dissuaded are the people that are grossly more concerned with their own immediate comfort than the good of the world and its future. Some people are so financially invested in the things that are the main contributors of climate change that to admit it is real, it would mean they would have to change their profitable ways.
It’s real and no one can convince me otherwise.
We have a responsibility to slow it down as much as possible since we put ourselves in this position, even if it means sacrificing some of our wealth. We need to start with shifting our priorities. By acting on the behalf of the betterment of everyone instead of ourselves, I think we’d find that our actions would be more sustainable ones.
I believe that documentaries like the Chasing Ice are very effective this. When describing Climate Change, scientists often use graphs, charts and large number calculations to describe what is happening. For deniers, these numbers can seem like a way to use the reduction back to authority fallacy. The visual uses of photos in this movie helps provide proof. The documentary lets the visuals do the work.
ReplyDelete2a. because it is such a terrifying idea, people decide to just ignore it. It is a huge problem and people decide to block it out of their mind. Some politicians decide to ignore or deny change because the are backed by the oil or coal industry. I think that because we use so much energy people are unwilling to change their ways.
2b. I think that more people know that climate change is happening than admit it. People are overwhelmed with the problem that is climate change. it can be hard to figure out what one person can do.
3. My views on climate change align with what the scientific data suggests. Climate change is a very real, prevalent issue. I would argue that it is the most prevalent current issue because if we don’t take care of the planet and end up destroying it, nothing else would matter at all.
4. I feel that we as a society should be taking the steps to create a cleaner planet. We need to convince our government to convert to more clean and efficient ways of living.
1. I think this documentary is definitely effective, because of its visual power. People hear these facts but they don't always understand the gravity of the consequences. Using the pictures that show the actual landscape changing wildly help put emphasis on the problems at hand.
ReplyDelete2. Climate change is easy to disregard, because the changes seem insignificant. The changes in temperature have been maybe one degree and the effects take a long time to cause problems so it is easy to put it off and go on with life, because people don't think it will affect them in their current lifetime.
2.b. I think the biggest reason some people ignore climate change is the economic benefit of destroying the environment. We are a capitalist society driven by money above anything else, so it makes sense that people would ignore the damage being done for their own profit, especially since these harmful effects aren't apparent to everyone.
3. I think that climate change is very real and if we do not change our ways soon, the damage will be irreparable. It might not totally destroy our planet, but the way of life we are used to will not be able to be maintained.
4. It is completely humankinds' responsibility to maintain our planet and help repair it, because one, we are the cause of it and it is our responsibility to clean up our mess. It is also necessary to live sustainably so we and plants and animals can continue to live here.