Climate change has become ever prevalent in the past few years, and continues to become a pressing problem. At first glance climate change would not seem like a human right's issue, but more of an environmental issue. The environmental issue is pretty obvious, we are not taking the appropriate steps to create a sustainable planet to live on. The polar ice caps are melting at an increased rate causing sea levels to rise. These rising sea levels are in the process of destroying cultural groups such as the Inuit population which I discussed in last weeks blog. If cultures are being demolished, this is an obvious sign that climate change has become a human rights issue.
(Then and now, Satellite images show the Arctic Melting)
Because we are emitting so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere it is impacting weather patterns, severity of storms, and length of seasons. All of these negative side effects are environmental issues that are becoming human rights issues rapidly. With weather patterns varying so much it has caused droughts in places like California. The droughts have caused a shortage in food supply, causing food prices to rise and forcing more people into starvation. This is an issue in Cuba where there is a very large percentage of people living in poverty.
(Cuban family outside of home)
In Cuba, the state has the majority of the control over environmental problems. They have very strict regulations about development projects that are enforced by the Cuban government. Currently Cuba is concerned with their fishing industry. Due to over fishing they are seeing a lack of biodiversity in their marine life. Fish that once thrived with large populations are being wiped out. According to the Enivornmental Defense Fund, "Fishing pilot programs are underway, including a community-based project called SOS Pesca that helps local leaders manage fisheries sustainably by combining fishing rights with science-based catch limits and marine reserves." Fish that were once there are starting to disappear which is a growing concern in the Cuban community. SOS Pesca focuses on teaching fisherman how to fish sustainably. They are in the procecess of creating a new law that will create regulations for private and coroporate fishing companies.
Noor writes about the idea taht we need to have equals in our society. The system that we have now where only the people of power can spread their messages creates a lot of inefficiencies. It makes it hard for the people that are dealing with the worst human rights issues to have a voice. Noor also highlights the concept of ethnocentrism, and how it is hard for people to communicate because of the barriers that ethnocentrism creates. Unless our world can learn to have an open mind there is always going to be conflict. Conflict can be resolved when everyone begins to see each other objectively and without stereo types. As Noor said, "While we speak different langauages we all snore in the same one."
Sources:
No comments:
Post a Comment