Aaron's blog

Aaron Evans, Ethan Little

-To what extent has the climate changed?

The global average temperature has increased by approximately 1℃ since 1850. The graph shows how the average global temperature change with the base line being the average global temp from 1961-1990.

-Is there a connection between temperature and CO2 levels?

The increase of CO2 in the atmosphere correlates with an increase in the average global temperature. The graph below shows the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. The other graph shows the average temperature annually and both graphs follow similar patterns.

-Is there a connection between population increase and CO2 levels?

As the global population increases the CO2 levels also seem to increase. Both graphics show the rapid increase of CO2/population at around the 1950s-1960s. There seems to be a connection as both seem to increase at around the same time. The graph below shows the population increase per region, the other graph shows the increase of CO2 emissions per region. Both graphs follow a similar pattern.

-What are some of the impacts of climate change?

A large problem that is displacing large amounts of people is flooding. As the climate increases glacial ice melts increasing water levels. Many island countries are affected the most as they tend to be barely above sea level. Even Italy is affected as Venice undergoes flooding.  Climate change also promotes more intense storms and natural disasters.

-Based on the data, what should we do to lower CO2 emissions?

As the graph below shows, we should invest in more renewable electricity and heat production methods as it is one of the largest contributors to CO2 emissions. As people shift to more renewable energy sources electric cars are beginning to make more sense for reducing CO2 emissions, in addition to new battery technologies being researched.

-See the Climate Causes below, which ones do you have control over?

We have control over our CO2 output and can reduce it through different methods. Renewable energy sources are promising technologies that in the future will help reduce CO2 output and thus climate.

-In what ways does Climate Change become an issue of class?

Usually, the higher class creates the most CO2 as they have more purchasing power and many goods create CO2 as they’re produced. They are also less likely to be affected by climate change as they usually don’t rely on farming output and flooding. Also many wealthy business owners prioritize profit over the environment. Many Island countries consist of people that would be considered lower class and they are some of the most affected by flooding.

The Mountie in the photo represents Canada and the Mountie can be seen lowering food into a hole which houses a First Nations, beside the hole is a ladder showing Canada could help lift the First Nations out of despair but instead they continue to help the First Nations minimally. The food is there to show how Canada gives enough to keep the First Nations going but not enough to give them equal opportunities.

The photo is supposed to foster reconciliation since a step for reconciliation is acknowledging the problem.