Reader response on Why the climate fight needs engineers (Draft2)

Reader Response

In the article “Why the climate fight needs engineers”, Shah (2015)  mentions that Asia’s development is susceptible to a hostile environment. Global warming increases the awareness of the need of a decarbonised economy.  As there is increasing demand to transform cities into a sustainable urban and economic system, engineering solutions will see a peak in local and regional areas. Thus, experts face obstacles in their attempts to combine integrate individual technologies into a single system.

I agree that "climate fight needs engineers" to a certain extend because I believe that everyone has a part to play in transforming towards a cleaner and greener world.

Firstly, individuals play an important role to tackle global warming by controlling the usage of fossil fuels. Some examples include cycling to work, utilising energy-saving light bulbs at home and switching off household appliances when not in use. In addition, Earth Hour events held by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), promotes the idea in going green. The objectives of Earth Hour are to inspire an “interconnected universal community”,  to exchange the prospects and encounters when crafting a sustainable world. These activities raise awareness to cut down "carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions."

Secondly, education is one of the fundamental aspects to the global response to climate change. For example, Climate Change Education for a Sustainable Development programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aims to increase youth’s awareness on the consequences of global warming. Member States’ competency are build up to implement quality climate change programme consisting of creative teaching methods and organizing this programme in school. It will take more than a few months to achieve a sustainable future. But, with great commitment and a set of realistic targets, we can ensure that we are heading in the right direction.

Lastly, country government plays a key role in the fight against climate change by introducing new policies. For example, the President of the United states, Obama, introduced the “Clean Power Plan." "Clean power plan" is designed to promote the use of less polluting and cleaner American energy. Strict standards are set for power plants and goals are set for the states to reduce carbon pollution.

Engineers are vital to fight climate change. However, engineers alone cannot fight climate change without everyone's cooperation. Recently, the haze situation in Kalimantan, a region from Indonesia, has shown even with engineering solution to clear land for palm oil plantations, locals still prefer to burn forests which results in uncontrollable forest fires. Instead of using controlled logging and allowing young trees to mature to replace the older trees, forests are still burnt as it is the cheapest farming methods inherited from past generations. Afforestation (planting trees in abandoned agriculture land) and reforestation (replanting of trees on previously forested areas) are methods to preserve the environment. Conservation of forest involves careful planning and use of resources to protect and preserve the natural habitats of the forests.

In conclusion, individuals, education and government should work cohesively in order to achieve greater level of success. If everyone makes an effort to go an extra mile, earth will be effectively sustained as everybody's actions count.

References:

Shah V. (2015). Eco-business, Why the climate fight needs engineers. Retrieved from http://www.eco-business.com/news/why-the-climate-fight-needs-engineers/

Earthhour.org. (n.d). Celebrating Earth Hour | EARTH HOUR. Retrieved from http://www.earthhour.org/celebrating-earth-hour

Nature.org. (n.d). Take Action to Fight Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/help/

The White House. (2013). President Obama’s Plan to Fight Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/climate-action-plan

UNESCO. (2014). Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development at UNESCO. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-sustainable-development/climate-change-education/

EPA. (n.d). Cutting Carbon Pollution from Power Plants. Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/fact-sheet-overview-clean-power-plan

Bokova, I. (n.d). Educating for Sustainable Development. Retrieved from http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/world-education-forum-sustainable-development-by-irina-bokova-and-christiana-figueres-2015-05#1y2Th7MlPWfKvOGj.99

Edited (1st October 2015)

Reader Response on Why the climate fight needs engineers

Reader Response

In the article “Why the climates fight needs engineers”, Shah (2015)  mentions that Asia’s development is susceptible to a hostile environment. Global warming increases the awareness of the need of a decarbonised economy.  As there is increasing demand to transform cities into a sustainable urban and economic system, engineering solutions will see a peak in local and regional areas. Thus, experts face obstacles in their attempts to combine integrate individual technologies into a single system. I agree that engineering expertise is essential for solving sustainability challenges to a certain extend. However, I disagree that it should not be limited to engineers to contribute in the climate fight.

Individuals play a crucial role to curb global warming by limiting the use of fossil fuels. Some examples include cycling to work, utilising energy-saving light bulbs at home and switching off household appliances when not in use. In addition, Earth Hour events held by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Is a worldwide movement to encourage individuals, businesses and governments to protect and take positive actions for the environment. The objectives of Earth Hour are to inspire an “interconnected universal community”,  to exchange the prospects and encounters when crafting a sustainable world. These activities raise awareness to cut down ‘carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions’.

Education is a necessary aspect to the global response to climate change. For example, Climate Change Education for a Sustainable Development programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aims to increase youth’s awareness on the consequences of global warming. Member States’ competency are build up to implement quality climate change programme consisting of creative teaching methods and organizing this programme in school.

Government introduces new policies and step up enforcement. For example, The Clean Power Plan is one of the component of the United States’s international attempts to "address the threat of climate change." President Obama is taking the "biggest step yet to combat climate change by finalizing America's Clean Power Plan," which establishes the “first-ever carbon pollution standards for power plants.”

Engineers are vital to fight climate change. However, engineers alone cannot fight climate change without everyone's cooperation. As the recent haze in Kalimantan, Indonesia incident has shown that even with engineering solution to clear land for palm oil plantations, locals still prefer to burn forests which results in uncontrollable forest fires. Instead of using controlled logging and allowing young trees to mature to replace the older trees, forests are still burnt as it is the cheapest farming methods inherited from past generations. Afforestation known as planting of trees in areas that were originally not covered by forest (abandoned agricultural land) and reforestation known as replanting of trees on previously forested areas that have been logged are methods to preserve the environment. Conservation of forest involves careful planning and use of resources to protect and preserve the natural habitats of the forests.

In conclusion, these measures contributed by individuals, education and government should work cohesively in order to achieve greater level of success. If everyone makes the extra mile of effort, Earth can be sustained more effectively as every action counts.

References:

Vaidehi Shah (2015). Eco-business, Why the climate fight needs engineers. Retrieved June 8, 2015, from http://www.eco-business.com/news/why-the-climate-fight-needs-engineers/

Earthhour.org. (2015). Celebrating Earth Hour | EARTH HOUR. Retrieved September 27, 2015, from http://www.earthhour.org/celebrating-earth-hour

Nature.org. (2015). Take Action to Fight Climate Change. Retrieved September 27, 2015, from http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/help/

The White House. (2013). President Obama’s Plan to Fight Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/climate-action-plan

UNESCO. (2014). Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development at UNESCO. Retrieved September 27, 2015, from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-sustainable-development/climate-change-education/

Edited (27 September 2015)

Why the climate fight needs engineers.

In the article “Why the climate fight needs engineers”, Shah(2015) mentions that Asia’s development is susceptible to a hostile environment. Global warming increases the awareness of the need of a decarbonised economy.  With the demand to transform into a "sustainable urban and economic system", engineering solutions will see a peak in both local and regional areas. Thus, experts face obstacles in their attempts to combine individual technologies into a single system.

My English Language Learning Journey

I started learning English from a very young age with my interest in reading and watching american television shows such as Animal Precinct. Since you, I have a strong interest in reading books. This helped me to build my basic grammar and vocabulary skills. My favourite authors are Jacqueline Wilson, James Patterson and Anita Desai. Reading newspaper articles is also one of the main source from which new vocabulary words could be learnt. It is a leisure I enjoy especially when it comes to political issues. 

At the age at of 6, I attended Morris Allen English class once a week. I had to borrow three to four different genres of books for each lesson and do oral book reviews in the following lesson. This stimulated my interest in reading different genres of books and rapidly builds both my confidence and skills in oral English language.  

I started watching american television shows at the age of 10. While watching these shows, I observed the way they expressed themselves and picked it up slowly. I feel that watching television shows is great way of learning English. The pictures make it easier to understand as you can have a better idea of what people mean.

Also, considering the fact that my Polytechnic did not conduct English classes, reading is the only way to broaden my knowledge of the language.  Surprisingly, while texting with my friends, I will learn new phrases. Some of my friends are talented in language and they tend to have a higher usage of uncommon words. Naturally, to decipher the meaning of their sentence, I have to check up the word. As of now, I am reading eBooks and newspapers during my free time. 

Lastly, I think learning English should be fun instead of being forced unwillingly. 


Edited (16/09/15)