Eleanor Babcock
9/25/15
Climate and Theology
Theology, the study of the nature of god and biblical texts, is very closely related to nature and climate change. First of all, the pure definition of theology has the word nature included in it. This type of nature focuses on behavior and disposition, however, it is slightly ironic that nature as a word in a working definition links so closely to other aspects of theology. Theological study of climate change comes in many different forms. It can be linked through biblical text or through spiritual practices. For this blog, I'd like to focus on relating one of the Benedictine values to climate change. The Benedictine values are values which our school holds close. By comparing our values rooted in God to climate studies localizes the topic for me.
The Benedictine value of stewardship states that "we value all creation." This value stems from the story of creation found in Genesis. This means that everything given to us in finite and must be used in a valued way. Nature, our families, and resources have been given to us to use but not destroy. Humanity has developed a keen mind which has allowed for development. Our development of society today has exceeded our planetary limits and is beginning to see destruction in many aspects of life. We are using the resources given to us, however, our use is beginning to decrease and we are seeing many negative environmental impacts. One of these impacts is climate change.
Climate change is causing out planet to warm. We as a community of stewards have not fulfilled the benedictine value of stewardship. Because this value rings true to the CSB/SJU community there are things we can do to be good stewards and fulfill this value. We can use more sustainable transportation, using the Link instead of driving personal vehicles between campuses. This would save energy and lower carbon emissions thus making a more positive impact on our earth's climate. Other means of ecologically friendly activities which would help us to be good stewards of creation can be recycling, composting and sustainably growing crops. If our campus teams together to instigate change in a healthy way, then our relationship with theological practices through being good stewards will reduce the negative, harmful impacts of climate change.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Friday, September 18, 2015
Eleanor Babcock
9/18/15
Climate Science
Reading the IPCC report and listening to our guest speaker in class, Troy Knight, discussing climate change put a perspective between anthropomorphic climate change and the earth's natural cooling and warming systems. The science behind climate change is truly the root of all discussions taking place, whether it be climate denial, assertion of its presence, or research surrounding green house gas emissions, the science is the underlying argument for all discussions. It is the scientific evidence which also validates that our emission of carbon dioxide into the air is the cause of the period of warming on our earth.
Understanding the earth's natural cycle of weather patterns, temperatures and atmosphere helped me establish an understanding of how important it is to fight climate change. We are in an era of the melting of the most recent glacial ice sheet. the Earth goes through periods of ice ages with glacial formation and reduction. Between these ice sheets melting, the climate has been observed in the past to be very stable with no dramatic increases or decreases in temperature. Observations in recent global average temperature and sea level rise, there is an unnatural rise in temperature going against the normal stable temperature observed in the past from climate periods between glaciers. This is attributed to the amount of green house gases being pumped into the atmosphere by human activity.
The reason for the sped up process of carbon being emitted back into the atmosphere is because us humans have found ways to mine it out of the earth then pump it into the atmosphere. Coal in the ground is a result of dead decayed organic matter breaking down in the soil . While it was alive it up took CO2 from the atmosphere and stored it in its tissues. these decayed trees stayed under the soil and rock for millions of years. When we burn coal, we are burning the remnants of these decayed trees and putting that stored CO2 back into the atmosphere. Humans are causing global warming by consciously emitting more carbon into the atmosphere than it was meant to hold, thus resulting in increasing global temperatures.
9/18/15
Climate Science
Reading the IPCC report and listening to our guest speaker in class, Troy Knight, discussing climate change put a perspective between anthropomorphic climate change and the earth's natural cooling and warming systems. The science behind climate change is truly the root of all discussions taking place, whether it be climate denial, assertion of its presence, or research surrounding green house gas emissions, the science is the underlying argument for all discussions. It is the scientific evidence which also validates that our emission of carbon dioxide into the air is the cause of the period of warming on our earth.
Understanding the earth's natural cycle of weather patterns, temperatures and atmosphere helped me establish an understanding of how important it is to fight climate change. We are in an era of the melting of the most recent glacial ice sheet. the Earth goes through periods of ice ages with glacial formation and reduction. Between these ice sheets melting, the climate has been observed in the past to be very stable with no dramatic increases or decreases in temperature. Observations in recent global average temperature and sea level rise, there is an unnatural rise in temperature going against the normal stable temperature observed in the past from climate periods between glaciers. This is attributed to the amount of green house gases being pumped into the atmosphere by human activity.
The reason for the sped up process of carbon being emitted back into the atmosphere is because us humans have found ways to mine it out of the earth then pump it into the atmosphere. Coal in the ground is a result of dead decayed organic matter breaking down in the soil . While it was alive it up took CO2 from the atmosphere and stored it in its tissues. these decayed trees stayed under the soil and rock for millions of years. When we burn coal, we are burning the remnants of these decayed trees and putting that stored CO2 back into the atmosphere. Humans are causing global warming by consciously emitting more carbon into the atmosphere than it was meant to hold, thus resulting in increasing global temperatures.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Eleanor Babcock
9/9/15
Climate and Society
For my second blog post I would like to focus part of my attention to chapter two in Climate Cultures which discussed the history of climate change debates based out of specified geographical regions. I will then go on to reflect on the documentary we watched in class on Tuesday Sun Come Up which focused on the environmental injustice the Carteret Islanders faced because of rising seal levels.
Chapter two encompassed a wide variety of information including a review of the four regions contextualizing historical climate issues (Mountains, Arctic, islands and deserts). For this post, I will explain my interpretation of one region, the islands because it ties in with the theme from Sun Come Up. I find enjoyment in geography and history and reading about historical colonizations, and reading about them in context of climate change was interesting to me. Low lying islands were claimed by larger civilizations in the past for their use for farming, travel and trade, and military purposes. They were valued because they were a source of income and publicity for larger nations at the time. However, because of their geographical (in terms of location) limitations to the larger nation, smaller island communities, not associated with larger nations, developed. Scientists and travelers, such as Charles Darwin (as mentioned in the chapter) began to make trips to these islands to study coral reefs and cultures. These low-lying islands slowly became of lesser importance to major countries and some became independent nations and some forgotten cultures. The problem which resides in terms of climate change with these small islands is the loss of shorelines as a result of climate change. Today, not many major nations have direct ties with these islands, causing more potential for apathy to change habits relating to climate change (such as burning fossil fuels) which negatively affect low-lying islands. It is the lack of political and international relations with these small island commmunities which cause the problems seen in Sun Come Up I will now discuss.
The Carteret islanders face major life and culture changes as a result of the changing climate. The rising sea level took away much of their valued shoreline of the reef and destroyed the fields for their crops with salt water. In desprit need of land, some of the islanders went to the mainland to ask other communities for space. In the end, they were successful and were able to relocate some of their people. This relocation brings up an environmental injustice issue. The small low-lying island community is forced to bear the consequences of climate change caused by larger nations. These island communities contribute very little to the changing climate because their developments do not emit much carbon into the atmosphere, however, they still have to pay the price. The problem is that larger govenrmnets fail to see how to help these communities. First of all, there is lack of awareness for the problems these communities face (a reason these documentaries were made). Second of all, the solutions are limited. For example, in the documentary, the government sent emergency rice to feed the Carteret people but did nothing to fully understand and mitigate the effects of climate change to the community.
There is an interesting connection between international relations and environmental justice issues which I hoped my blog post helped make clearer my understanding of the relationship based off of the readings and the documentary we watched in class.
9/9/15
Climate and Society
For my second blog post I would like to focus part of my attention to chapter two in Climate Cultures which discussed the history of climate change debates based out of specified geographical regions. I will then go on to reflect on the documentary we watched in class on Tuesday Sun Come Up which focused on the environmental injustice the Carteret Islanders faced because of rising seal levels.
Chapter two encompassed a wide variety of information including a review of the four regions contextualizing historical climate issues (Mountains, Arctic, islands and deserts). For this post, I will explain my interpretation of one region, the islands because it ties in with the theme from Sun Come Up. I find enjoyment in geography and history and reading about historical colonizations, and reading about them in context of climate change was interesting to me. Low lying islands were claimed by larger civilizations in the past for their use for farming, travel and trade, and military purposes. They were valued because they were a source of income and publicity for larger nations at the time. However, because of their geographical (in terms of location) limitations to the larger nation, smaller island communities, not associated with larger nations, developed. Scientists and travelers, such as Charles Darwin (as mentioned in the chapter) began to make trips to these islands to study coral reefs and cultures. These low-lying islands slowly became of lesser importance to major countries and some became independent nations and some forgotten cultures. The problem which resides in terms of climate change with these small islands is the loss of shorelines as a result of climate change. Today, not many major nations have direct ties with these islands, causing more potential for apathy to change habits relating to climate change (such as burning fossil fuels) which negatively affect low-lying islands. It is the lack of political and international relations with these small island commmunities which cause the problems seen in Sun Come Up I will now discuss.
The Carteret islanders face major life and culture changes as a result of the changing climate. The rising sea level took away much of their valued shoreline of the reef and destroyed the fields for their crops with salt water. In desprit need of land, some of the islanders went to the mainland to ask other communities for space. In the end, they were successful and were able to relocate some of their people. This relocation brings up an environmental injustice issue. The small low-lying island community is forced to bear the consequences of climate change caused by larger nations. These island communities contribute very little to the changing climate because their developments do not emit much carbon into the atmosphere, however, they still have to pay the price. The problem is that larger govenrmnets fail to see how to help these communities. First of all, there is lack of awareness for the problems these communities face (a reason these documentaries were made). Second of all, the solutions are limited. For example, in the documentary, the government sent emergency rice to feed the Carteret people but did nothing to fully understand and mitigate the effects of climate change to the community.
There is an interesting connection between international relations and environmental justice issues which I hoped my blog post helped make clearer my understanding of the relationship based off of the readings and the documentary we watched in class.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Eleanor Babcock
9/3/15
Why climate matters
I would have to say the words climate change is an ideograph. Those words are heard in a variety of contexts and invoke a variety of emotions, opinions and values. To me, climate change is a basic fact of science. It gives me a negative view of the impact our consumer society has today. Our society is structured in a way that basic activities such as driving a car, turning on a light and taking a shower emit small amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The combination of all consumers on this planet engaging in those activities has created the changing global temperature. In her article published int the Guardian, Naomi Klein highlights some of those alarming impacts. She discusses the melting of the Greenland ice sheets, causing sea level rise and acidification of oceans. Her blunt facts should prove to any audience that climate change is happening.
I think that it is interesting that so many people know and believe that climate change exists but take minimal efforts to reduce their personal carbon footprint. I agree with Klein with her argument about consumerism and how it shapes our society. We continue to contribute to the crisis of cimate change despite our awareness of the upcoming consequences.
I believe one of the most compelling arguments made by Bill McKibben is about the clash between politicians and environmentalists. There is more support for industries producing fossil fuels than renewable energy. There is a clash, however, I see some efforts made by politicians taking preventative measures to put a halt to additional climate change contributions. For example, Obama vetoed the Keystone pipeline in February. This veto demonstrated to the general public that a person in a position of power is taking more effort to help global climate change.
9/3/15
Why climate matters
I would have to say the words climate change is an ideograph. Those words are heard in a variety of contexts and invoke a variety of emotions, opinions and values. To me, climate change is a basic fact of science. It gives me a negative view of the impact our consumer society has today. Our society is structured in a way that basic activities such as driving a car, turning on a light and taking a shower emit small amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The combination of all consumers on this planet engaging in those activities has created the changing global temperature. In her article published int the Guardian, Naomi Klein highlights some of those alarming impacts. She discusses the melting of the Greenland ice sheets, causing sea level rise and acidification of oceans. Her blunt facts should prove to any audience that climate change is happening.
I think that it is interesting that so many people know and believe that climate change exists but take minimal efforts to reduce their personal carbon footprint. I agree with Klein with her argument about consumerism and how it shapes our society. We continue to contribute to the crisis of cimate change despite our awareness of the upcoming consequences.
I believe one of the most compelling arguments made by Bill McKibben is about the clash between politicians and environmentalists. There is more support for industries producing fossil fuels than renewable energy. There is a clash, however, I see some efforts made by politicians taking preventative measures to put a halt to additional climate change contributions. For example, Obama vetoed the Keystone pipeline in February. This veto demonstrated to the general public that a person in a position of power is taking more effort to help global climate change.
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