Its Time for Change: Climate Change is Real

(Inuit Family)

We Have a Moral Obligation
Global Warming and climate change have been on going debates for the past decade.  Specifically, in the past year when President Barack Obama brought the issue to the attention of the nation by stating, "The debate is over, climate change is a fact."  The warming numbers that we are seeing have been astounding, and are increasing at an alarming rate, but before we get into that, let us  look at the difference between global warming and climate change. 

According to the United States government, "Global warming refers only to the Earth’s rising surface temperature, while climate change includes warming and the “side effects” of warming—like melting glaciers, heavier rainstorms, or more frequent drought."  Climate change is what needs to be focused on by the human race, not the term "global warming."  The buzzword brings to mind negative ideas of slimy politicians trying to get another vote for many of us. However, climate change is happening, and what is happening is unnerving.

It should scare our society that cultures are being ruined by such climate change.  We most definitely have a moral obligation to take care and nourish our planet.  This moral obligation is clearly represented by the Inuit people losing their culture due to the melting ice caps.  It is depressing to think that our negative impact on the planet has caused people to take their own lives.  This moral obligation is clear in places north where suicide rates are so high because these young men directly see what is happening to our planet.  We should feel obligated for the sake of our kids and grand kids.  Do we want them to have a planet to live on?  If politics and economics continue to interfere with human rights than earth as we know it may be completely different in future generations.

(Man participating in the "Reforestation" Movement"

Environmental Issues in Cuba
I hate to sound like a broken record, but once again I am going to bring the United States embargo into the topic of conversation.  If we plan on lifting this embargo, the United States needs to take a look at how this would impact the environment.  Cuba is currently battling the consequences of deforestation from earlier generations, and an influx in American tourism could make this issue worse.  Companies have indicated that they would like to put up hotels in certain areas, which would obviously negatively impact the Cuban ecosystem through habitat destruction.

Although water.org is not specifically involved in Cuba, the Cuban government is taking action.  According to Action for Our Planet,

"The Cuban government is currently aiming towards increasing forest cover in the Caribbean nation to 29.3% by 2015, a planned increase of 3.2 million hectares. Cuba currently has 26.7% of the countries land area protected as forest areas, an increase from 13.4% in 1959."

It is very refreshing to see a government step in and take a stand in a positive way for the planet that we live on.

If the embargo is lifter I believe that the Cuban government will keep a close eye on what will be built and not built, but I can only hope that money does not change anybody's mind.


Sources:
nytimes.com
Moral Ground (Watt-Cloutier)
actionforourplanet.com